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Kjell Rasten death: Spanish-American singer Charo's husband 'dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound' aged 79

Rasten, who worked as a TV producer in the Seventies and Eighties, married Charo in 1978

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Tuesday 19 February 2019 09:09 GMT
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Spanish American singer Charo
Spanish American singer Charo (Getty)

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Charo's husband of more than 40 years has died after taking his own life, according to US media reports.

Kjell Rasten, a TV producer who married the singer and actor in 1978, is said to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the couple's home in Beverly Hills on Sunday 17 February.

TMZ says that Charo was in the house and someone called 911. Rasten was reportedly taken to hospital by emergency services where he was pronounced dead.

ET Online reports that a representative for Charo said that she has "no comment and asks for respect and privacy at this time".

Charo, born María del Rosario Pilar Martínez Molina Baeza, appeared with Rasten and their son, Shel, on an episode of Celebrity Wife Swap in 2015, with Charo's former Love Boat co-star Jill Whelan.

Kjell Rasten on Celebrity Wife Swap
Kjell Rasten on Celebrity Wife Swap (ABC/YouTube)

The Independent has reached out to Charo's representative.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116 123.

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