Saturday, April 26, 2008

48 Hours/Christa Helm Press Release



Here's the official Press Release from CBS for tonight's broadcast. I expect all of you reading this to tune in andcome back and post your reactions afterwards. I'm still questioning a couple of the "facts" that don't quite jibe with John's and my research but it certainly looks like they have found new information...including an unexpected SOPRANOS connection!!




April 25, 2008


A YOUNG HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS BECOMES THE BLACK DAHLIA OF THE 1970’S,
LEADING INVESTIGATORS INTO A WEB OF SEX AND CELEBRITY –
DID SHE KNOW TOO MUCH?

A STAR OF “THE SOPRANOS” MAY HAVE SOME ANSWERS…

“48 HOURS MYSTERY,” SATURDAY, APRIL 26

In 1977, aspiring actress Christa Helm, who appeared in television shows such as “Wonder Woman” and “Starsky and Hutch”, was found stabbed and bludgeoned to death in front of her agent’s house. Now, 31 years after the case went cold, Helm’s daughter and investigators sort through a twisted web of sex, celebrity and possible blackmail in the hopes of finally finding her killer.

Helm was the classic small-town girl with big Hollywood dreams. Armed with her model-looks, the seductive blond left Milwaukee, Wis., and her daughter, eventually making her way to Hollywood. A fixture in the L.A. party scene, Helm was rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. Never at a loss for male attention, she kept company with a who’s who of A-list actors and musicians including Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson, Mick Jagger and even the Shah of Iran.

In what many suspect was groundwork for blackmail, Helm kept a diary and even tape recordings of her star-studded sexcapades, both of which mysteriously disappeared after her murder. But Helm’s sex life was not limited to celebrities. A special cold case squad recently uncovered a long string of boyfriends and girlfriends that Helm had left in her wake, sometimes having multiple affairs at the same time and possibly breeding jealousy among those involved.

With many of Helm’s friends now dead or missing, and other insiders refusing to talk, the case has hit numerous dead ends. Among those declining to speak with police is Tony Sirico, better known for his role as Paulie Walnuts on “The Sopranos”, who investigators believe may have some useful information.

Despite these obstacles, Helm’s daughter and authorities remain undeterred in their quest for answers. Was Helm in over her head, murdered to shut her up? Was she the victim of a jealous lover? Or, was this simply a case of robbery?

Maureen Maher reports on 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "The Last Take," on Saturday, April 26 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. This broadcast is produced by Chuck Stevenson and Paul Ryan, and Anthony Venditti is the field producer. Judy Tygard is the senior producer and Al Briganti is the executive editor. Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.

Editors' Note: Click here to watch a preview of the broadcast. Click here to watch an excerpt of Christa Helm's movie debut, "Let's Go For Broke."

CBS News 48 HOURS MYSTERY broadcasts are now available on iTunes.com.

Press Contact Louise Bashi 212-975-2856 / bashil@cbsnews.com

7 comments:

  1. 31 years is way too long for this crime to go w/o being solved! Her sex life doesn't have anything to do with Justice or lack of it. Let's hope the new Forensics can Find the killer and give her daughter the answers.

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  2. I tuned in mainly because of the interest created from regularly checking in to your site. I don't think that Christina came off in a particularly good light. I do hope her killer is finally brought to justice.

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  3. Anonymous10:21 AM

    I watched a 1/3 of the show and then checked for your name on the credits.
    "Special Thanks to:
    Steven Thompson
    John O'Dowd"

    I have it on my DVR to watch later.
    I don't think Christina came off to well. Leaving Nicole "with a friend" while she tried to make it in Hollywood comes off a little odd.
    Nicole downplays it pretty well because she adored her mom.

    I will watch the rest soon.
    [I worked 10 hours yesterday]

    Congrats Steve
    Alan Bryan
    jettblackberryx@yahoo.com

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  4. Anonymous12:44 PM

    They said they found FEMALE DNA
    under her nails, they need to keep looking for that Betty person!
    I hope they find the killer, these
    people should never roam free.
    Heck, the killer may be dead themselves, who knows.
    I think the daughter down played
    her mother's role in Hollywood, too, but wouldn't you?

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  5. Anonymous2:26 PM

    Isn't is sad that a Mother could leave her young daughter with someone telling her that she will get her when she is 10 years old. No one should be murdered but to be that cold with you own child and to do the things she did put her where she was, leaving her daughter with unanswered questions that she will never know and will always search for something she didn't have. That is who my heart goes out to.

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  6. Anonymous8:11 PM

    Say what you will about Christa and her daughter...the fact that her daughter has gone through so much to force this issue, to resolve some of her nightmares, is a testament to her strength and courage. I happen to know Nicole very well, and I can assure you that there is not a finer person on this earth. How would YOU have handled such a screwed up situation? Hooked on drugs? Dead? Nicole is a profesional woman who has maintained a sense of decency and respectability with everyone she knows. I hope the world honors her strength and courage, and I pray daily that Christa's killer is found. If you read this, Clemmie- I LOVE YOU!

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  7. Anonymous11:48 PM

    Who cares about the way she lived her life and if she did leave her daughter with a friend to make it in Hollywood. What makes you so damn perfect?! Times were different back then. People didn't have sticks up their butts like people do today! Maybe you should learn to apologize for being a complete idiot with an unfair opinion!

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