I have just spoken to Larry Longo, Bill's attorney and one of my closest friends. Bill was found dead by Frank Longo, Larry's son and law partner, without apparent injury or trauma slumped over the counter in his apartment kitchen. At this moment, please, I can only say that he died under suspicious circumstances. Larry is monitoring the coroner's investigation; Bill's apartment is being treated as a crime scene and is sealed.

There are other pertinent crime scene details--and matters ongoing prior to his death--but I cannot report on them now because we do not want rampant speculation that might hinder the search for exactly what happened.

Larry--and others--chose not to have an obit, and does not know why the police item has not appeared in the press.

I am heartbroken; Larry and I cried like babies over the telephone.