Probe of Barry Crane Slaying Pressed

Los Angeles Police Department detectives continued their investigation Sunday into the Studio City bludgeoning murder of television director and bridge expert Barry Crane, interviewing bridge players and tournament officials who knew the victim.

“We do have a lot of clues, but that’s all I can say,” said Detective Kevin Harley. Harley said he and other investigators were questioning bridge tournament figures as well as other people who knew Crane, looking for a motive or suspect. He declined to give details of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office completed an autopsy Sunday on the body of Crane, 57, concluding that he died from “blunt force trauma to the head,” a spokesman said. Further toxicological tests will be carried out.

The body was found by his housekeeper at about 3 p.m. Friday wrapped in bloodstained sheets in the garage of his town house in the 4200 block of Colfax Avenue.

His wallet and late model Cadillac were missing, but there were no signs of any further burglary or forced entry into the Studio City home, Harley said.

Crane, who directed such television shows as “Dallas,” “Mannix” and “Mission: Impossible,” was preparing for the final round of a bridge tournament in Pasadena when he was killed.