Friday, May 4, 2001
9:40 pm: Bonny Lee Bakley, the wife of actor Robert Blake, was shot to death in her car while she waited for the former Baretta TV star near a restaurant.
Late Friday: Blake allowed officers to enter a unit behind his Studio City home, where Bakley lived.
Saturday, May 5, 2001
Blake was questioned as a witness but was not considered a suspect.
Blake was taken to a hospital for high-blood pressure and hospitalized overnight.
Police recovered two 9 mm handguns; seized phone records and other paperwork from Blake's house during a search.
Sunday, May 6, 2001
Blake left the hospital.
Blake's lawyer announced that the actor had hired a private investigator.
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Blake's investigator pointed the finger at a mysterious stranger who he said had been lurking around the couple's home in recent months.
Blake's attorney, Harland Braun, released letters written by Bakley seeking money and plane tickets from lonely men.
Wednesday, May 9, 2001
Detectives searched Blake's home for a second time.
Bakley's half brother, Peter Carlyon, said Bakley told her family that Blake had threatened her and armed himself.
Friday, May 11, 2001
Blake's bodyguard said police wrongly believe the actor killed his wife and dismissed his own theory — that a killer gunning for Blake shot Bakley — as "ridiculous."
Monday, May 14, 2001
ABC News reported that police found the gun used to kill Bakley.
In a press conference, Los Angeles police officials criticized Blake's attorney and the media for interfering with their investigation of the murder.
Tuesday, May 15, 2001
Blake's lawyer said Bakley was planning to swindle Oscar-nominated actor Gary Busey in the months before she was shot to death.
Wednesday, May 16, 2001
Blake added a second attorney to his legal team, bringing former Los Angeles police sergeant Barry Levin on board.
Thursday, May 17, 2001
Blake called off a family-only service for Bakley when a media mob descended on the funeral home.
O.J. Simpson offered advice to Blake on the syndicated TV show Extra.
Friday, May 18, 2001
Blake's lawyer said Bakley's family decided to cancel the funeral planned in New Jersey and instead bury her in California at an undislosed date and place.
(Sources: AP, Reuters, LA Times, various dates from 5/4/01 - 5/18/01)
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