Chris Proffitt/Eyewitness News
Carmel - Police investigators are building a case against a Hollywood producer in the beating death of his wife. Suspect J.J. Paulsen was a writer for the Cosby show and other television series.
Long before her picture appeared on TV and in newspapers as a murder victim, this is how friends, family and teachers remembered Leanne Serrano-Paulsen. "She had that leadership ability you see once in a while. But it's one where everyone says, 'Ah, yes. We remember Leanne,'" said David Bardos, Carmel High School teacher.
The 1985 Carmel Homecoming Queen and honor student pursued her dreams of acting and singing before marrying JJ Paulsen, a successful Hollywood producer and writer. They moved into an upscale Carmel home they shared with their 16-month-old son. It was in that house where last week police found Leanne Pausen's body. An autopsy says blunt force trauma ended her life. Police found her husband hours later, wandering some three miles from their home.
"I will say this. At this point he is a focus of the investigation for the homicide," said Lt. Jeff Horner, Carmel police.
Paulsen tells investigators that he left his son at home alone to look for his wife, who he believed had been drinking. However, autopsy results show Leanne Paulsen had been dead for a least a week. In jail, charged with child endangerment, investigators are building their case against JJ Paulsen while those they knew his wife are devastated by the murder.
"You always hope that people who go outside of the business to get a normal life, will end up with happily ever after," said Rodney Tolliver, American Cabaret Theater.
Instead, Leanne Serrano Paulsen's life is over, her husband in jail and the focus of a murder investigation.
Police were called twice to the Carmel home after Leanne Paulsen said her husband had beaten her. Because JJ Paulsen was on probation after pleading guilty, he could now be ordered to serve a suspended one-year jail term.
