And, earlier that evening - the charismatic publicist mingled with the power elite (at a chi-chi after-party for the feature film "Burlesque" starring Cher) - seemingly without a care in the world.
According to industry-insiders, the sixty-four-year-old blond - familiar and well-known in show-biz circles - was well-liked, too.
But, for some inexplicable reason, an assassin plugged her body with half-a-dozen-or-so bullets at approximately 12:28 a.m. on Whittier Drive on a quiet tree-lined drive the other evening.
A neighbour who heard the shots - and glanced out the window a few seconds later - reported that the victim was alone in the car and that no one was spied fleeing from the scene.
Which begs the question.
Was it a spontaneous killing triggered by road rage, perhaps?
Or, was it a planned attack, carried out with expert precision by an unknown assailant?
Ms. Chasen started her professional career as an actress on a soap opera, and over the years, ended up landing a post as a top publicist at MGM Studios.
A seasoned pro in the publicity end of the business, Chasen was considered a top dog, when it came to garnering attention (and much-needed publicity) for a film project.
In recent years, the once-married high-profile Hollywood publicist, worked on successful campaigns for celebrated flicks such as the Oscar-winner "Hurt Locker".
Randall Wallace, the director of "Secretariat" (a current box-office hit), confided to a reporter that he was slated to meet with Ms. Chasen yesterday afternoon to launch an Oscar campaign for that sure-fire contender.
For the most part - friends and business associates recalled that Chasen was a likable individual - and a real down-to-earth charmer.
Meanwhile, one producer - Irwin Winkler - fessed up in an interview with a daily just yesterday, that Chasen tended to be fiercely protective and overly-devoted to her clients.
Apparently, Chasen screamed at the Foreign Press Association (Golden Globe Awards), when they passed over his project "De-Lovely".
Maybe there was an enemy or two lurking in the shadows?
News at 11!
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