Bonny Lee Bakley Murder Investigation–UPDATE

April 19, 2002

 
Los Angeles: Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division searched three locations today in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Bonny Lee Bakley.
One of the warrants was served at the Hidden Hills home of 68-year-old actor Robert Blake. Detectives searched that location this morning. Blake was arrested there yesterday for the murder of his wife. It is anticipated that Blake will face one count of murder with special circumstances and two counts of solicitation for murder.
The Burbank apartment of 46-year-old Earle Caldwell has also been searched. Blake hired Caldwell two years ago as a handyman and bodyguard. Caldwell was also taken into custody yesterday for conspiracy to commit the murder of Ms. Bakley.
Her body was found in the front seat of Blake’s car in North Hollywood the night of May 4, 2001. She had been shot.
Details of the third search location are not being released. Additional evidence was recovered during today’s searches including papers, computers and guns. Detectives will request that all documents related to this investigation be sealed to protect the integrity of the murder case.
Detectives will present the case against Blake and Caldwell to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Monday morning. It is anticipated they could be arraigned as early as Monday afternoon.
Blake is being held, without bail, in the medical section of the Los Angeles County Jail. He does not need medical care and is not on a suicide watch. This is the area of the jail where high profile inmates are housed for their safety.
Caldwell was booked and is being held at the Parker Center Jail. His bail has been set in the amount of one million dollars.
For more information contact LAPD Media Relations Section, at 213- 485-3586.