This Savage Art

[UPDATE BELOW] Thursday I learned that independent film actress Adrienne Shelly was found dead in her Manhattan apartment Wednesday at 6:00 pm. The details of the death are still sketchy. She was found hanging by a shower rod which would indicate suicide but police are saying they have sneaker markings in the tub that don’t belong to Shelly. Her husband and mother are convinced that this wasn’t self inflicted.

Shelly was best known for being the muse of director Hal Hartley but also did theater and wrote and directed about a half a dozen features including Waitress which was in post-production. She made a name for herself in the New York independent scene in the 90′s. Shelly was often grouped together with other actresses of that time like Parker Posey.

On a personal note, I saw Adrienne Shelly in a cafe in my neighborhood about two months ago with what appeared to be her mother and child. I kept thinking it would be nice to see her in more films and how she had a unique smart/funny style that translated well in the Hartley films. Very sad news.

Update 11.6.2006

A new break in the case; Shelly did not commit suicide, allegedly she was murdered. A Brooklyn man who was working construction near Shelly’s office apparently confessed to striking her after she complained about the noise, killing her. He arranged her body to appear as if she committed suicide. Unreal!

Update 11.8.2006

Looks like he was having a bad day. More developments here.