The girlfriend of Beverly Hillbillies star Max Baer died after she shot herself in the chest with a gun, cops have revealed. According to police, 30-year-old Chere Rhodes committed suicide in the wake of "relationship problems" with her 70-year-old lover.
"They were having some relationship issues," Douglas County Sheriff's Sgt. Jim Halsey said.
"Whether the relationship was going to end or they were just having difficulties, I don't know," he added.
Baer called officers to his home in Zephyr Heights, California, on Thursday after finding Rhodes lying in the bedroom with a single gunshot wound to her chest.
The actor's girlfriend was flown by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where she was placed on a life support machine.
Her family turned the life support machine off on Sunday.
Sgt. Halsey said Rhodes was conscious when cops found her, and told the officers that she had shot herself.
"She was conscious on the scene and told [officers] that it was a self-attempted suicide," he said.
"There was a suicide note as well which substantiated her statement."
Halsey revealed a semi-automatic handgun was also found in the room.
Baer, an entrepreneur, rose to fame playing Jethro in the 1960s Beverly Hillbillies television series. He has lived in the Lake Tahoe area for years and is currently trying to build a hotel-casino in northern Douglas County.
The casino would include a signature oil derrick evoking the 'Hillbillies' sitcom theme of his dimwitted character Jethro Bodine.
Baer had a short-lived marriage to ex-wife Joanna Hill between 1970 and 1971.
He also previously dated actresses Christy Canyon, Sharon Tate and Victoria Principal.
By Joanne Clements, Jan 31 2008 © Copyright 2008 - Showbiz Spy
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