Linda Stein, punk rock band manager and real estate agent to the stars, was found dead Tuesday night in her apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Police said she had been bludgeoned to death.
Stein, 62, co-managed the Ramones, a band that recorded on Sire Records, a label founded by her ex-husband, Seymour Stein. She later represented Billy Joel, Sylvester Stallone, Debra Winger, Perry Ellis and other celebrities.
A powerful personality, Stein was the inspiration for Sylvia Miles, the aggressive real estate agent in the movie Wall Street.
Close friend Elton John issued a statement saying: “I’m absolutely shocked and upset. She’s been a friend for over 37 years and she was a huge supporter of the Elton John AIDS foundation.”
Police, who had not announced an arrest by Thursday morning, said there were no signs of forced entry.