Crane’s 1978 Murder Will be Reviewed

Maricopa County Atty. Richard Romley says a review board will try to turn up new clues in the unsolved murder of actor Bob Crane.

Crane, 49, known for his role in the television comedy series “Hogan’s Heroes,” was bludgeoned to death in June, 1978, in a Scottsdale apartment. No one has been arrested in the case.

Romley said Tuesday that an “incident review board” he appointed eight months ago would be asked to take a look at the slaying by April. The board of 15 prosecutors and investigators has found new evidence in at least two unsolved murders in the county, he said.

“Whenever you have a homicide, I think you have an obligation and, in major cases, you should consistently review them,” Romley said.

Scottsdale police announced Monday that an attempt to match a blood sample from a rental car with Crane’s blood was inconclusive. John Carpenter, a friend of Crane from Los Angeles, leased the car. He has denied killing Crane.

Carpenter visited Crane during the actor’s stint in a Scottsdale theater and returned to Los Angeles the day Crane’s body was found.

The blood sample found on the rental car was too small to be used as evidence, police said.

Romley declined to speculate whether there would have been enough evidence to file charges had a blood match been made.