Adrienne Shelly Update: Police Say It's Murder, Not Suicide

What is the usual sentencing on manslaughter followed by an attempt to make the accident look like suicide? It is the sort of thing that happens in movies all the time, but I don't know that I've ever heard what the official offense is called.

I'm hoping the guy gets life without parole for ruining Shelly's name like this. And for making her daughter motherless.

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You know what's amazing? If this coward would have just called 911 right after punching her, maybe she would have been alive. Who knows if the punch was the death blow or not, but c'mon. Be a man. If you make a mistake, come clean. Then again, this "man" punched a small non-threateing actress because she complained about noise. So he's just a coward anyway.

My thoughts with her family. Nobody should die like that.

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This is a horrible story. It has really gotten to me. Adrienne was a big part of the indie scene in Hal Hartley's movies. She left a great legacy. She will be remembered.

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My heart is broken upon learning of Adrienne's tragic and senseless death. How utterly devastating! I first saw her in a performance several years ago and was captivated. I've been a fan ever since. My heart goes out to her young daughter, her husband and the rest of her family and friends during this time. I was but a fan and am grieving over the news. For those of her family and friends who knew and loved her, I cannot fathom your grief and loss. Rest in peace sweet Adrienne...

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I am stunned, shocked, and saddened... What a loss for her daughter, husband, the world !!!

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In response to the question about a manslaughter or accidental death which has been "doctored up" to look like suicide, I believe that in most states the postmortem coverup takes the crime into the realm of murder even if it would have been charged as manslaughter had the attempt not been made.

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According to the NY Post, this guy punched Adrienne after she "slapped" him.

I'm disgusted by this whole thing. I hope this asshole gets what's coming to him.

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my prayers are with the family.

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According to this evening's news reports (11/07/06), neck compression is the official form of death, not a blow to the head. Based on that, some reports were saying that she was probably not dead until the suspect took the steps to make it look like a suicide. Such a terrible waste of life and talent.

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I grew up around the corner from Adrienne Shelly and she and my sister were friends in elementary school. It is just horrible the way she died! She was a very sweet person and my heart goes out to her family; especially her daughter, Sophie.

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I loved her so much as a performer. It is a horrid reminder that we're all lucky to be here still. I can't imagine the pain her family daughter and freinds must be suffering.

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solitary forever is the minimum this waste of flesh should get for doing this

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I am deeply saddened by Adrienne Shelly's murder. I send my most sincere condolences to Mr. Ostroy and his daughter on the loss of a beautiful, talented actress--a wife and mother who deserved to continue making films and acting in films and expressing her great creative spirit.

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I am all tears :-(... I will never forget her as Audrey (Trust).... This is indeed a crazy world.

May she rest in piece.
d.

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I am only a friend of Adrienne's and while in great pain I cannot begin to imagine the hurt of her mother, andy and sophie, and I do not mean to extend more hurt by saying this, but Adrienne would never have marched down to an empty apartment, confronted a man double her size and then slapped him. She was a pacifist and loved all people. She was pragmatic and logical. If she knew construction was going on, she would have accepted it and dealt with it. I believe that sub human piece of trash planned this well ahead of time and he should be booked on 1st degree charges.

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I heard about her death on a news show recently, and I didn't recognize the name at first. But then I remembered who she was and remembered the episode of "Early Edition" she was on in the late '90s who met and dated Kyle Chandler's character Gary Hobson for a while. I remember what a charming character she played and how stunning she looked, very pretty and such beautiful hair, and made me wish I could meet someone like that in real life.

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I've only just discovered the news of Ms. Shelly death. I extend my deepest condolences to her immediate and extended family and dear friends. I only knew her through the cinema and have always been impressed by each performance. I think it's ironic that Arienne Shelly's introuction into my life would be through the Hal Hartley's film, "The Unbelievable Truth." It was the early nineties, a late night Showtime film of which I knew nothing about, and the beginning of a beautiful relationship with Mr. Hartley and his cast of quirky characters. As much as I think that I have a spin on this crazy world I'm still perplexed by the "evil" we do. Rest in peace, sweet soul. I shall always remember you and your expressive voice.

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On October 24, 2006 my 25 year-old daughter, Wendy was found hanging in her shower. From the beginning I thought someone else was involved--her husband took the day off work, was the last to see her and the one to find her. I know she did not hang herself, she would never leave her 7 year-old son alone or leave him to be raised by her husband. I wanted an autopsy, husband did not; I thought I had the cremation stopped so an autopsy could be done, he went to the funeral home on the weekend of November 5-6 and made sure she was cremated. Her sisters and I had planned on getting a court order on Monday, Nov. 7 if we had to in order to get an autopsy done. What was his big hurry? We live in a very small town in Southern Idaho--I have emailed this article to the investigating officer and hopes that he will pay attention. Before this article I had done extensive research on Hanging/suicide/murder and it happens more than you could imagine. Statistics also show that it is very rare for a woman to hang herself and even more rare that she would do it at her home. My heart goes out to the family, especially her little girl. I have not been allowed to see my grandson (he lived with us a good portion of his life) My "son-in-law" will not allow us to see him--says he is respecting Wendy's wishes. Please pray for our family and Adrienne's family. I have never in my life felt a pain like this.
God Bless You All,
Cindy Campbell
Hazelton Idaho

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I adored Adrienne; she was a wonderful actor. What amazes me about all these comments is that all of you don't seem to show any empathy for the young boy.

He comes from a country where a visit by police may be followed by your disappearance. The problem was not that there would be a noise complaint, but that police were coming.

So it's a bit naive to say "Why didn't he do the right thing and call the cops?" This man was killing for fear of his own life. It doesn't make it excusable or any less horrible. The whole thing was motivated by fear and the need to stay in the country. Question now is; will he be jailed in USA?

About the suicide; i would not think it would be legal to not have a proper autopsy performed for insurance purposes if nothing else. I'm sorry for your loss and not seeing your grandson.

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Being a retard about how the police work is not an excuse for murder, you twit.

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