A Murder in the Spotlight—But No Killer Behind Bars
On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley sat quietly in a car parked outside a cozy Italian restaurant in Studio City, California. Moments earlier, she had shared what looked like a simple dinner with her husband—actor and Hollywood veteran Robert Blake.
But minutes later, two gunshots shattered the silence, and Bonny was dead.
More than two decades have passed, but the question still lingers like cigarette smoke in a dim-lit lounge: Who killed Bonny Lee Bakley? The answer has evaded investigators, baffled juries, and haunted a town famous for rewriting reality.
The Victim: Bonny Lee Bakley—A Life of Schemes and Secrets
At the time of her death, Bonny Lee Bakley was 44 years old—and already infamous. A self-described entrepreneur with a history of fraud, multiple marriages, and a string of celebrity flings, Bonny lived in the murky space between obsession and opportunity.
She ran personal ads targeting wealthy or famous men, had been married nine times, and was, as journalist Mary Murphy put it, “an entrepreneur in the world of pornography way before the internet.” Her romantic past was a maze of tangled promises, aliases, and manipulations.
By the late ’90s, she had set her sights on Robert Blake, a man twice her age and decades into a fading Hollywood career.
The Husband: Robert Blake—From Child Star to Murder Suspect
Born Michael James Gubitosi, Blake had been acting since he was a child in “Our Gang” (The Little Rascals) and rose to TV fame in the 1970s hit “Baretta.” But by 2001, his career had cooled—and his personal life was about to ignite a media firestorm.
Though Blake initially denied paternity, DNA tests confirmed that Bonny’s baby girl, Rose Lenore, was his. Blake agreed to marry Bonny, reluctantly, and insisted she sign a prenup just days before the wedding.
Their relationship was far from romantic—it was transactional, suspicious, and toxic.
A Murder Without a Murderer
On the night of the killing, Blake claimed he had walked Bonny to his parked car, left her alone to retrieve a gun he had forgotten inside the restaurant, and returned to find her slumped in the passenger seat, dying.
Police found the murder weapon in a dumpster, wiped clean with the serial number scratched off. Suspicious? Definitely. But not enough to convict.
Two Hollywood stuntmen later alleged that Blake had tried to hire them to kill Bonny—yet their drug use, criminal records, and conflicting stories undercut the prosecution’s case.
All the while, GSR (gunshot residue) tests showed only trace amounts on Blake’s hands, insufficient to prove he pulled the trigger.
In 2005, Robert Blake was acquitted of murder.
The Christian Brando Connection: A Shadowy Rival
Adding another twist to the case was Bonny’s simultaneous relationship with Christian Brando, the troubled son of Hollywood legend Marlon Brando. In letters, she told both men they were the father of her child. Brando was livid when he discovered the deception.
Wiretapped phone calls revealed Brando making ominous remarks about Bonny, including, “She’s a con artist. Somebody oughta put a bullet in her head.”
Though never formally charged, many believe Brando may have known more than he admitted. He died in 2008—taking any secrets with him.
The Civil Case: Liability Without Justice
Though Blake escaped criminal conviction, he wasn’t free for long.
In 2005, a civil jury found him liable for wrongful death, awarding $30 million to Bonny’s estate—later reduced to $15 million on appeal. The verdict financially ruined him. He filed for bankruptcy, faded from the public eye, and lived out his final years in obscurity.
In his last major interview with Piers Morgan in 2012, Blake bitterly referred to Bonny as “a con artist,” and maintained his innocence—offering neither remorse nor revelation.
The Daughter in the Middle: Rose Lenore Speaks Out
Rose Lenore, the daughter born from the union between Blake and Bakley, was only 11 months old when her mother was killed. She was raised by Blake’s older daughter and kept largely out of the public eye.
In 2019, at age 18, she spoke to Good Morning America, breaking years of silence.
“I don’t choose a side,” she said. “Because I don’t know any better than anybody else.”
Her quiet grace, and haunting uncertainty, became a human face to a case consumed by spectacle.
Robert Blake’s Final Act: Silence and Shadows
Blake spent his final years posting bizarre YouTube videos, ranting about his past, fame, and survival. One video, titled “I Ain’t Dead Yet, So Stay Tuned,” felt like a defiant wink to a world that had stopped watching.
He died on March 9, 2023, from heart disease—taking his version of the truth with him.
A Mystery That May Never Be Solved
To this day, the Bonny Lee Bakley murder remains one of Hollywood’s most confounding mysteries. Was it a murder for hire, a jealous lover’s revenge, or the desperate act of a man pushed past his breaking point?
Each theory comes with tangled motives, broken timelines, and missing pieces.
But one thing is certain: Bonny Lee Bakley died a violent, lonely death, steps away from the man who claimed to love her—and no one has ever been held criminally accountable.
FAQs
Who was Bonny Lee Bakley?
Bonny Lee Bakley was a controversial figure known for her involvement in adult entertainment, multiple marriages, and a pattern of conning wealthy men. She was married to actor Robert Blake at the time of her murder.
How did Bonny Lee Bakley die?
She was shot twice while sitting in Robert Blake’s car outside a restaurant in Studio City, California, on May 4, 2001.
Was Robert Blake convicted?
No. Blake was acquitted in criminal court in 2005, but he was found civilly liable and ordered to pay millions in damages to Bakley’s family.
What was Christian Brando’s role in the case?
Brando, also romantically linked to Bakley, made threatening comments caught on tape. While he was never charged, many believe he remains a shadowy figure in the case.
Did Blake and Bakley have a child?
Yes. Their daughter, Rose Lenore, was 11 months old when Bonny was murdered. She was raised by Blake’s family and later spoke publicly about her past.
Is the case still open?
Technically, yes. But with Blake and Brando both deceased, it’s widely believed the truth may never fully emerge.