Claudine Longet, the French singer and actor who was charged in the fatal shooting of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Vladimir "Spider" Sabich, in 1976, has died at the age of 84. Her death was confirmed by family representatives on Wednesday.
A controversial case
Longet was a popular entertainer in the 1960s and 1970s, known for her hits like "A Man and a Woman" and appearances on television shows. In March 1976, she shot Sabich at their Aspen, Colorado, home. She claimed the shooting was accidental, saying she thought the gun was unloaded. The case drew intense media scrutiny, partly due to Longet's relationship with her defense attorney, Ron Austin, whom she later married.
Trial and aftermath
Longet was charged with reckless manslaughter and criminal negligence. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Longet had been jealous and angry, but the defense maintained it was a tragic accident. In 1977, a jury acquitted her of manslaughter but convicted her of a lesser charge of criminal negligence, resulting in a 30-day jail sentence and a fine. The case remains a subject of fascination for true crime enthusiasts.
After the trial, Longet largely retreated from public life, living quietly in Colorado with Austin until his death in 2021. She rarely gave interviews and avoided the spotlight, but her legacy as a singer and the controversial case continued to attract attention.
Remembering her career
Before the tragedy, Longet had a successful career in entertainment. She released several albums and appeared in films and TV shows. She was also a muse to French singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg, who wrote songs for her. Her death marks the end of a life that was both celebrated and marred by tragedy.
