Ervin "Tip" Roeder, a well-known Los Angeles divorce attorney, was tragically killed on June 10, 1981, in Beverly Hills, California. Roeder, aged 60, was gunned down alongside his estranged wife, actress Jenny Maxwell, in the lobby of Maxwell's Beverly Hills condo. The incident was initially reported as a botched robbery attempt. Witnesses described hearing multiple gunshots and seeing Roeder on his hands and knees, screaming for help after being shot in the stomach.
Maxwell was found inside the lobby with fatal gunshot wounds to her head.
Despite the initial reports of a robbery gone wrong, the case took a different turn over the years. Investigations revealed that the murders were not random acts of violence but were more likely premeditated. Roeder's connections to the criminal underworld and his reputation as a "mobbed-up" attorney led to suspicions that the killings were orchestrated hits. This theory gained traction when it was discovered that the police had actually solved the case just weeks after the murders, but the information was never made public.
The investigation into Roeder and Maxwell's deaths uncovered a web of intrigue involving Hollywood, the mob, and personal vendettas. Roeder's loud and brash personality, coupled with his legal dealings, made him a target for enemies. Maxwell's tumultuous personal life, including her failed marriages and struggles with substance abuse, added to the complexity of the case. The police files, which remained sealed for decades, contained crucial details that pointed to a calculated execution rather than a simple robbery.
In recent years, renewed interest in the case led to further revelations. A book titled "Murder of an Elvis Girl: Solving the Jenny Maxwell Case" delved into the details of the investigation, shedding light on the true nature of the crime. The author, a relative of Maxwell, worked with a retired LAPD detective to piece together the events leading up to the murders. Their findings confirmed that the killings were indeed orchestrated and that the perpetrators had connections to organized crime.
Despite the passage of time, no arrests were made, and the case remains officially unsolved. The lack of public disclosure and the involvement of powerful individuals likely contributed to the enduring mystery surrounding the deaths of Ervin "Tip" Roeder and Jenny Maxwell. The tragic end of their lives serves as a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of Hollywood and the far-reaching influence of the criminal underworld.
