Victim in Tahoe suicide identified

A woman who died Sunday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest was identified as Chere Rhodes, 30.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday that Rhodes left a note that she shot herself at the Zephyr Heights home she shared with actor and entrepreneur Max Baer Jr., 70.

According to sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Halsey, Baer called emergency at 1:15 p.m. Jan. 24 when he discovered Rhodes, who was still conscious, in a bedroom.

When questioned, Rhodes told deputies that the incident was an attempted suicide on her part. A handwritten note found at the scene substantiated her statement, Halsey said.

Emergency first aid was administered to Rhodes at the scene, and she was taken by helicopter to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno.

She underwent emergency trauma care, was placed on life-support equipment. Her condition did not improve and she died Sunday after her family requested she be taken off life-support.

Halsey said a semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

The investigation is continuing, but no foul play is suspected at this time, Halsey said.

Baer is best known for his role as Jethro in the 1960s television show "The Beverly Hillbillies."

He is developing a casino project in north Douglas County called Jethro Bodine's Beverly Hillbillies Mansion & Casino.