On May 4, 2001, Bonny Lee Bakley was shot to death while sitting in a parked car outside Vitello’s restaurant in Studio City, California. She was 44 years old, the mother of an 11-month-old daughter, and married to actor Robert Blake.

Blake said he had left Bonny alone in the car while he returned to the restaurant to retrieve a handgun he had forgotten. When he came back, Bonny had been shot. The weapon he retrieved was tested and determined not to be the murder weapon, but the remarkably narrow window in which the shooting occurred immediately raised questions about whether the attack had been planned.

Bonny’s life was complicated. She had a long history of pursuing relationships with wealthy or famous men, and her past became a major part of Blake’s defense after he was charged with her murder. Prosecutors, meanwhile, presented witnesses who said Blake had previously discussed having Bonny killed. He was ultimately acquitted in criminal court, while a civil jury later found him liable for her death under a lower burden of proof.

Before Theresa reveals any of that, David knows only Bonny’s name, date of birth, and photograph.

During his intuitive reading, David describes a woman he sees as deeply driven by the need to be loved, seen, and valued, but also someone whose own choices repeatedly complicated her life. He describes her sitting in the passenger seat of a sports car after dinner, recognizes that she knew the younger man he believes approached the vehicle, and interprets the shooting as planned rather than spontaneous.

As Theresa begins revealing the documented case, several details begin to intersect—including the Studio City location, the sports car, Bonny’s infant daughter, and David’s unexpected connection to the name “Michael”, which turns out to have a direct relationship to Robert Blake’s birth name.

But the central question remains unresolved.

Robert Blake was acquitted of Bonny’s murder. A civil jury later reached a different conclusion. And more than two decades later, no one has conclusively established who actually pulled the trigger.

Who killed Bonny Lee Bakley—and was the person responsible ever truly identified?

Listen with an open mind. Consider the facts. Decide for yourself.

David’s intuitive impressions are personal perceptions and are not presented as fact or evidence. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as an accusation or determination of guilt.

Support the show

Still Unanswered
Evidence meets intuition.
Hosted by David Zarza & Theresa Michaels.

Explore cases, episodes & more at StillUnansweredPodcast.com
Follow: @stillunansweredpodcast (Instagram & Facebook)

Have a case you think we should investigate? Visit the website to get in touch or email directly contact@stillunansweredpodcast.com