Convicted murderer of Sinatra’s longtime friend paroled

KESQ has learned that the local man who killed Frank Sinatra’s long time friend Jilly Rizzo in a firey car crash in Rancho Mirage in 1992 has been paroled.

According to the California Department of Corrections, Jeffery Perrotte was found suitable for parole in September. The exact release date or where Perrotte will be living has not been made public.

Perrotte, a repeat DUI offender slammed drunk into Rizzo’s car on Gerald Ford outside of Mission Hills Country Club. Rizzo’s car burst into flames and he burned to death. It was determined later that Perrotte had left the scene. Perrotte has spent more than 20 years behind bars.