'Dr. Drew,' 'The Real' and 'The Jerry Springer Show' Producer Jill Blackstone Arrested in Connection to Sister's Death
Veteran talk show producer Jill Blackstone was released from police custody Wednesday after she was arrested in connection to the death of her sister, reports TMZ.
On Saturday around 12:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to a home on Landale Street in Studio City, Los Angeles, police Lt. Bob Toledo told the Los Angeles Times.
Blackstone's sister Wendy Blackstone, 49, and three dogs were found unresponsive on the garage floor of the home where she and Jill lived together. The closed garage had been filled with carbon monoxide, according to Toledo.
Authorities told TMZ that Wendy appeared to have died from carbon monoxide omitted from a BBQ grill placed at her feet. Police believe the death scene was staged, and they believe Jill staged it.
Wendy, who was deaf and partially blind, was grasping a handwritten suicide note.
Paramedics attempted to resuscitate Wendy, but could not. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's body showed no obvious signs of trauma, according to authorities.
Jill, 52, told paramedics she had also passed out on her bed, but eventually regained consciousness and called a friend for help, according to TMZ. The friend called 911 and asked authorities to check on Jill who she thought might have had a stroke since her speech was slurred during their phone conversation.
Saturday afternoon Jill was hospitalized with severe carbon monoxide poisoning, but she was released from the hospital on Monday and promptly arrested. She was held on $1 million bail for suspicion of first-degree murder, but released from custody around 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to jail records.
According to TMZ, Wendy had not been seen by anyone except Jill since last Thursday -- two days before she was found dead.
The coroner's office told the LA Times the cause of Wendy's death is unknown and pending investigation, including toxicology tests.
Jill has enjoyed a lucrative career in Hollywood. She has produced many television talk shows, including "Dr. Drew," "The Real," "The Jerry Springer Show" and "Sharon Osbourne," along with court shows.
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