Iconic singer and actress Claudine Longet, who retired from public life after being convicted of negligent homicide in connection with the shooting death of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabichm, has died at the age of 84. Her death was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Longet, in a social media tribute on Thursday. He wrote: "You have been a true inspiration in my life and you will always be. Another star in the sky. Thank you for everything, my aunt." No cause of death has been revealed.

The French born star, who appeared in films with the likes of Peter Sellers, was married to iconic performer Andy Williams from 1961 until 1975 and the couple had three children daughter Noelle and sons Christian and Bobby, who was named after friend Robert F. Kennedy. She became embroiled in career ending scandal when on the night of March 21, 1976 she shot Spider in the abdomen with an imitation World War II .22-caliber German‐made pistol in their home. She was with him in the ambulance when he died en route to the Aspen hospital.

She insisted the shooting was an accident and told investigators she thought the safety was on. During her trial, a ballistics expert told the court the safety did not work.

Despite her protestations she was charged with felony reckless manslaughter and initially faced up to 10 years in prison. A four day trial took place in January 1977 during which she was acquitted of the felony charge and convicted of a misdemeanour charge of negligent homicide.

Her ex-husband Andy, by then a huge star, accompanied her to her trial. He reflected on it years later during an appearance on This Morning. "I did because I thought it was unfair. I thought she was innocent. I thought it was an accident," he said.

She was ultimately sentenced to 30 days in jail "at a time of her own choosing" and her glittering career was over. Outside the court she told reporters: "There is not really much to say. Only that I have too much respect for living things to do that. I’m not guilty."

The scandal ended her career and she retired from public life but she became an infamous pop culture figure. The Rolling Stones’ were forced to remove the song Claudine from their 1978 album Some Girls because of legal considerations, but later featured it on the 2011 reissue of the album.

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