Who Was Vladimir Sabich? All About The Ski Champion Killed In The Claudine Longet Shooting Case

Claudine Longet’s death at the age of 84 has once again brought attention to one of the biggest tragedies in Hollywood. It is about the fatal shooting of Olympic skier, Vladimir “Spider” Sabich. He was one of America’s biggest skiing stars in the late 1960s and early 1970s, admired for his impressive looks and fearless skiing style. But things changed when he was fatally shot at the Aspen home he shared with Claudine in 1976. In turn, it became one of the most talked-about celebrity scandals of the era. 

Who was Vladimir “Spider” Sabich?

Vladimir Sabich was born in California. He grew up skiing in the icy Sierra Nevada Mountains, quickly emerging as one of the most talented alpine skiers in the United States. In fact, he got the nickname ‘Spider’ due to his athletic style and energetic personality. Sabich later attended the University of Colorado Boulder on a ski scholarship before pursuing the sport full-time. He represented the United States at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, where he finished fifth.

Some reports even suggested that Sabich also won a World Cup slalom race later that year. In turn, he became one of the most successful professional skiers in America. He won back-to-back World Pro Skiing Championships in 1971 and 1972. At the same time, he was seen as a celebrity figure due to his glamorous lifestyle in Aspen, Colorado. But despite his success, he had a serious skiing crash in 1973, which left him with major back problems. These injuries eventually slowed down his career. 

Spider Sabich and Claudine Longet’s high-profile relationship 

Spider Sabich met Claudine Longet in 1972 during a celebrity ski event in California. At that time, Claudine was already a famous singer and actress. Also, she had parted ways with her former husband, Andy Williams. The duo quickly became one of Aspen’s most glamorous celebrity couples. In fact, the actress moved in with Sabich with her three children at his luxury chalet in Colorado. However, as per later testimony in the trial, they were facing issues in their relationship by 1976.

According to some friends of Sabich, he was planning to ask Claudine to move out before the shooting took place. But, later on March 21 1976, he was shot in the abdomen inside the bathroom of their Aspen home. The actress later claimed that the gun accidentally discharged when Sabich was showing her how to use the pistol. He died while being transported to the hospital, and the news immediately became a national sensation due to the duo’s popularity.

During the trial, Claudine’s defence team argued that the shooting was accidental. At the same time, major police mistakes during the investigation also weakened the prosecution’s case. In fact, much important evidence was declared inadmissible in court. Later, in 1977, she was convicted of criminally negligent homicide and got a sentence of 30 days in jail, probation and a small fine. In turn, the result created a massive public backlash. 

Claudine Longet’s life after the Sabich shooting scandal 

After the legal controversy, Claudine Longet’s entertainment career ended. She mostly disappeared from public life and rarely talked to the media again. Some reports claimed that Sabich’s family later filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her. But it was settled privately under a confidentiality agreement. It prevented Claudine from publicly talking about the shooting. She also married her former defence attorney, Ronald Austin, in 1985, and they spent the rest of her life in Aspen. Recently, her nephew, Bryan Longet, confirmed her death at the age of 84. But, he did not mention any official cause behind her death. 

Rest in peace, Claudine Longet. 

Next Read: What Caused Claudine Longet’s Death At 84? Inside Her Final Years And Life After Hollywood Exit

Pic credits: Sam Tweedle/ Instagram, Vintage Stardust/Instagram