Valley forensic psychiatrist shot, killed outside office

PHOENIX (KSAZ/AP) - A well-known forensic psychiatrist who assisted in the investigations into the 1996 death of JonBenet Ramsey in Colorado and a string of killings in Phoenix more than a decade ago was shot and killed outside his office on Thursday.

According to Sgt. Vince Lewis with Phoenix police, 59-year-old Steven Pitt was found shot outside an office near 71st Street and Paradise Lane at 5:30 p.m.

Witnesses told police they heard a loud argument outside of the office, followed by gun shots.

Pitt was pronounced dead at the scene by firefighters.

Phoenix police spokesman Sgt. Vince Lewis says he had no information on whether the killing was connected to Pitt's work.

Pitt assisted in the investigation into the death of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, who was found dead at her home in Boulder.

A decade later, Pitt helped Phoenix police in the Baseline Killer investigation as they sought a man who later convicted of killing nine people.

The suspect is described as an adult white male, bald and was last seen wearing a dark-colored hat with a short brim.

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