Ronni Chasen's Death Certificate -- 'Shot By Another'

Ronni Chasen's death certificate -- which states the Hollywood publicist died from "multiple gunshot wounds" after she was "shot by another" in Beverly Hills last month. 

As we previously reported, investigators believe Chasen's death was a "random act of violence" in a robbery gone bad. 

Cops believe the shooter was a man named Harold Smith -- who shot himself in his Hollywood apartment building ... allegedly using the same gun he used to murder Chasen. 

Chasen Murder 'Person of Interest' Threatened to Kill

Mug shot of Harold Martin Smith -- the "person of interest" in the Ronni Chasen murder case -- and we've learned he had an open criminal case where the victim alleged Smith threatened to kill her husband.

Smith -- seen here in a 2009 mug shot taken in connection with an Oregon case -- was arrested by the Manhattan Beach Police Department, also in 2009, for prowling and marijuana possession. Smith pled guilty and served 30 days in jail -- but was a no-show for a related court hearing, so an arrest warrant was issued. 

The victim tells Smith was going house to house in Manhattan Beach trying to break in, and she saw him enter her backyard and then try to enter her house through the back door. The victim says her husband confronted him and he angrily responded, "I'm going to kill you."  The couple called the cops and Smith was arrested.

As we first reported ... although Smith is a "person of interest" in the Chasen murder, detectives believe he may not have been involved, and shot himself because he believed he was going to be arrested and sent back to prison for several burglaries in his neighborhood.

Lead in Publicist Murder Case Could Hit Dead End

The "person of interest" in the Ronni Chasen murder case may have actually shot himself dead because he feared he was going back to prison for possibly committing several burglaries in the area where he lived, and not for the Chasen murder ... law enforcement sources tell .

As we first reported yesterday, the "person of interest" is Harold Martin Smith.  He has a long criminal record, including two robberies and at least 4 burglaries.  

Our law enforcement sources tell us ... there were several recent burglaries near the Harvey Apartments in L.A. -- where Smith lived -- and the suspect matches Smith's description.

Law enforcement sources tell us ... detectives believe there's a good chance that when Smith was confronted by law enforcement Wednesday, he thought he was being arrested for the burglaries, not the Chasen murder.

As for the Beverly Hills PD, our sources say detectives have no evidence so far linking Smith to the crimes.  Detectives are conducting ballistics and other forensic tests, but the results are not expected back until next week.  Until then, Smith will remain a person of interest.

Road Rage Could Be Trigger in Publicist Murder

Sources connected with the criminal probe into the Ronni Chasen murder  Ronni had a temper and road rage is a scenario cops are seriously investigating.

We're told cops are interested in the road rage theory as it relates to the suicide of the man last night who was the object of a search warrant connected to the murder.

Although there are reports Smith is a suspect in the murder of Ronni Chasen, we're told that label is based on LAPD sources, and the Beverly Hills PD is only considering him a person of interest.

Nevertheless, sources tell us the BHPD is actively investigating Smith to determine if he was in the Beverly Hills area the night of the murder.

And, we're told, as far as Smith goes, money was not the motive.  Although Smith talked about getting $10,000, we're told that was in connection with a civil lawsuit.

So far, we're told, there's no physical evidence linking Smith to the killing, but cops are actively investigating.

The Niece Ronni Chasen Stiffed Sings Her Praises

The niece to whom Ronni Chasen left a grand total of $10 recorded a song dedicated to her fallen aunt.

under Chasen's 1994 will, Jill Gatsby was intentionally excluded from the estate valued at around $6.1 million. Chasen left her a paltry 10 bucks.

But there's hope. We've learned Jill is trying to sell her story to the highest bidder.  

Welcome to Hollywood, Jill.

Ronni Chasen Left Millions of Dollars in Her Will

A copy of murdered publicist  Ronni Chasen's will and other documents -- which estimate the value of her estate at $6.1 million ... and she intentionally stiffed one of her relatives.

In the document, dated June 10, 1994, Ronni left her playbill collection and other memorabilia to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, provided when it's publicly exhibited she gets credit -- "from the collection of Ronni Chasen."

Chasen was charitable, leaving $20,000 to Hole in the Wall Gang Fund, Inc., $10,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation International, $5,000 to Women's Cancer Research Foundation, $5,000 to the American Film Institute, $2,500 to the Gilda Radner Cancer Program and $5,000 to the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

According to supporting documents, another will was prepared for Chasen in 2006, but it has not yet been located.  Lawrence Cohen, Chasen's brother who is applying to be the special administrator, says he believes the will may be in a safe deposit box.

In the 1994 will, Chasen left 3/4 of her estate to her mother, but her mom since died.  Given her mom's death, her niece, Melissa Cohen, gets a huge chunk of money and the charities listed above get a substantial amount of money as well.

And small amounts of money go to Big Sister Volunteers of Los Angeles, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  

Apparently Chasen did not like one of her nieces much -- she gives $10 to Jill Gatsby, stating, "I have intentionally and with full knowledge of the consequences omitted to provide for my niece, Jill Cohen, also known as Jill Gatsby, except for the gift of $10."