Singer and Actress Who Shot Spider Sabich Was 84
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Claudine Longet, French singer and actress known for her 1976 trial after shooting her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich, has died at age 84.
- Longet was married to American singer Andy Williams and appeared frequently on his NBC show before their 1975 divorce; she later lived with Sabich until the fatal shooting in 1976.
- She was charged with reckless manslaughter but convicted of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide, receiving probation, a fine, and a short jail sentence amid legal challenges involving evidence mishandling.
- Sabich’s family settled a $1.3 million civil suit out of court, with Longet agreeing not to speak publicly about him or his death.
- Longet had a successful entertainment career spanning singing and acting, including a million-selling 1967 album and appearances on TV shows, and later married one of her defense attorneys, Ronald Austin.