LA Times Columnist Allegedly Murdered By Her Husband

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 75-year-old man who allegedly gunned down his wife -- a Sunday Los Angeles Times columnist -- in what may have been a failed murder-suicide will be in court later this month on a murder charge.

Thomas Foster pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a murder charge stemming from the Dec. 28 death of his 67-year-old wife, Donie Vanitzian, according to the District Attorney's Office. The couple had been married for 35 years.

Vanitzian was a longtime Los Angeles Times contributor who wrote a weekly column on homeowners associations for the Sunday Business section.aper reported. She is identified in the column as an arbitrator and mediator.

Police responding about 5:30 p.m. to the couple's home in the 4200 block of Corinth Avenue in Mar Vista found Vanitzian dead and Foster unconscious on the floor.

Authorities said Foster apparently tried to commit suicide after shooting his wife, but it was unclear how. ABC7 reported he may have tried to overdose.

Foster -- being held on $3 million bail -- is due back in court Jan. 18 at the Airport Branch Courthouse.

He faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.

City News Service

Correction: An earlier version of this story's headline misstated the murder suspect.