STUDIO CITY—Edwin Jerry Hiatt II, 53, was charged with the murder of TV producer and director Barry Crane, 57, that occurred over 30 years ago.
On Tuesday, October 8, Hiatt was charged with one count of murder with a special allegation that he used a deadly and dangerous weapon and heavily decorative object during the crime, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Prior to his death, Crane produced the TV shows “Mission: Impossible,” “Mannix” and “The Bionic Woman.”
Crane’s body was discovered by his housekeeper at his Studio City home on July 5, 1985. His body was bludgeoned and found with a telephone cord wrapped around his neck.
Canyon News reported Hiatt’s arrest in May 2019 indicating that on March 8 Hiatt confessed to the murders during an interview with the detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department. Detectives traveled to North Carolina to interview the suspect. A warrant was issued May 3 after DNA evidence linked Hiatt to the crime. He was arrested May 9 in North Carolina and was later extradited to Los Angeles.
Hiatt pleaded not guilty and his arraignment is scheduled for a later date. Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman of the Major Crimes Division will be prosecuting the case.
If convicted as charged, the suspect faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.
Written By Brenda De La Cruz and Alondra Arana
