Mystery deepens as no weapon is found by L.A. attorney’s body

The investigation into the fatal shooting of a prominent Los Angeles attorney outside his Rolling Hills Estates home took a new twist Wednesday as Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives said they did not find a weapon at the scene.

The revelation heightens suspicions over Jeffrey Tidus’ death as detectives try to determine whether the litigator was the victim of a homicide or self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“We have not located the weapon used, but we haven’t ruled it a homicide,” said Lt. David Dolson. “We are encouraging the public to come forward with any information that they believe can help.”

Deputies scoured the neighborhood for evidence, including the gun, and planned to look at Tidus’ cases to see if there might be anything in his legal work related to his death.

Dolson said detectives believe that the coroner’s autopsy scheduled today will give them the best picture of how Tidus was fatally wounded.

The 53-year-old attorney with Baute & Tidus, a downtown Los Angeles law firm specializing in civil litigation, was found shot in the head outside his home about 8:30 p.m. Monday. He died at a Torrance hospital Tuesday morning.

Traditional tests on the hands to determine whether a person recently fired a gun may be of limited value because Tidus received medical treatment overnight, possibly altering such evidence, Dolson said.

Detectives said if it was a homicide, they doubt it was a random crime given that the neighborhood is not a place some opportunist criminal would wander around.

“If this turns out to be a homicide, all indications are he was targeted,” Dolson said

Neighbors said Tidus’ wife told them that he had gone outside to get a laptop computer from his car and didn’t return. They said they saw the laptop on the lawn, with blood visible on the driveway.

Attorney Brian Hennigan, a close friend for more than a decade, said he is doubtful Tidus took his own life.

“The speculation about suicide makes no sense on any number of fronts,” he said. “The location and the timing make this highly unlikely speculation. From numerous conversations with Jeff over the past few years, I can say that it is inconsistent -- and contradictory -- with everything that I know about my friend.”

richard.winton @latimes.com