Wife of 'Star Trek: Voyager' Star Held in Hotel Murder

The estranged wife of “Star Trek: Voyager” actor Robert Picardo was in custody today in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in Woodland Hills.

Linda Pawlik, 60, of Sierra Madre, was arrested Wednesday and booked on suspicion of being an accessory to the killing of Edward Mello, 43, whose body was found Oct. 29, 2014, on the floor of his hotel room in the 20200 block of Ventura Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Pawlik was held on $620,000 bail, according to sheriff’s jail records. Police did not indicate what role Pawlik may have played in the killing, describing her only as an accessory after the fact.

On Nov. 11, Jorge Rodriguez, 34, was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder in the case. Rodriguez, who is being held on $2 million bail, is scheduled to appear in court Friday in Van Nuys, according to sheriff’s records.

Mello died from a single gunshot wound, police said. Officers were originally dispatched to investigate a possible suicide, according to the LAPD.

Picardo, 61, is best known for his role as a holographic doctor on “Star Trek: Voyager.” The Philadelphia native also had recurring roles on series such as “Stargate SG-1,” “Smallville,” “Stargate: Atlantis” and “The Mentalist.”

Picardo and Pawlik have been involved in a drawn-out, contentious divorce. Picardo originally filed for divorce in July 2012. In November, he filed court papers contending that Pawlik was under investigation in connection with Mello’s death, saying the man was killed with a gun registered to Pawlik.

A judge ordered Pawlik to move off of Picardo’s property.

According to TMZ.com, Picardo claimed in the court papers that Pawlik was required under a restraining order to surrender all 10 guns she owned, but at least four weapons were never turned in, and one was used in Mello’s killing.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact Detective Dave Peteque of the LAPD’s Topanga Station at (818) 756-4869. After-hours calls can be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 and anonymous tips can be provided by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

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City News Service

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