Television producer arrested, released in connection to sister’s death

Television producer Jill Blackstone was released from custody Wednesday after her arrest in connection to the death of her deaf, partially blind sister, authorities said.

About 12:40 p.m. Saturday, the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to a home in the 12000 block of Landale Street in Studio City, said Los Angeles police Lt. Bob Toledo.

Blackstone’s sister Wendy Blackstone, 49, was found unconscious in an enclosed garage where carbon monoxide had filled the room, Toledo said. A dead animal also was found in the garage.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate Wendy Blackstone, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of her death has not been determined pending further investigation, including toxicology tests, according to the coroner’s office.

Jill Blackstone, 52, was arrested Monday night on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to arrest records.

A suicide note recovered at the home was believed to have been penned by Jill Blackstone, not her late sister, according to the website TMZ, which first reported the arrest.

Blackstone was released from custody about 5 p.m. Wednesday, according to jail records. Prosecutors have not filed charges against her, Toledo said.

The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office did not respond to an after-hours request for comment.

Jill Blackstone also did not immediately respond to several requests for comment.

She has produced numerous television shows, including the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” and the “Sally Jessy Raphael Show,” according to her personal website. She also produced a 1993 episode of “The Jerry Springer Show,” according to the Internet Movie Database.

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