A cold Hollywood murder mystery with secrets, suspects, and a daughter’s search
Based on the show notes, this classic "48 Hours" episode revisits the 1977 killing of model-turned-actress Christa Helm. The preview points to scandalous secrets, high-profile suspects, and her daughter’s long search for answers.
This is a preview based only on the published show notes, not a recap of the audio. If you’re drawn to true crime stories that mix old Hollywood intrigue with an unsolved case, **"The Last Take"** looks aimed squarely at that interest. According to the episode description, the story centers on **Christa Helm**, a model turned actress whose life ended violently in 1977. The notes frame the case around three major threads: a cache of **scandalous secrets**, a **long list of high-profile suspects**, and the emotional throughline of **a daughter still searching for the truth**. That setup suggests an episode balancing celebrity-world mystery with a personal family quest. Rather than promising a simple whodunit, the notes hint at a layered investigation shaped by fame, rumor, and unresolved questions that have lingered for decades. It’s also identified as a **classic "48 Hours" episode** originally aired on **10/4/2008**, reported by **correspondent Maureen Maher**. If you enjoy archival true crime reporting, cold cases with Hollywood connections, or stories anchored by a family member’s pursuit of answers, this episode may be worth adding to your queue.
About this episode
<p>In 1977, Christa Helm was a model turned actress whose Hollywood story came to a bloody end. She left behind a trove of scandalous secrets, a long list of high-profile suspects, and a daughter who’s been searching for the truth ever since. "48 Hours" correspondent Maureen Maher reports. </p><p>This classic "48 Hours" episode last aired on 10/4/2008. Watch all-new episodes of “48 Hours” on Saturdays and stream on demand on Paramount+. </p>