Ron Pataky was film and drama critic for the Columbus Citizen Journal in Ohio. While on a trip to publicize The Sound of Music and several other films he met Dorothy Kilgallen. He introduced himself to her and the to became a sometimes couple.

Something about Pataky gave her the impression he was a CIA spook, but in reality he was more connected to organized crime. Eventually he found himself on the outs with some powerful crime figures and to make things right it was decided his relationship with the writer would be very helpful in finding out what she knew about the Kennedy assassination in general and mob connections in particular.

A man matching Pataky's description was seen with Kilgallen the night of her demise and author Mark Shaw who wrote The Reporter Who Knew Too Much is convinced it was Pataky who gave her the barbiturates and took her research materials.

Among other things, Shaw cites a poem Pataky published that describes how the woman died as partial proof. He also tells of his contact with Pataky and his promise that Pataky would pay for his crimes. Shaw says Pataky always danced around his questions but never actually denied it. Pataky died before Shaw could see justice done.  However he was not free from the consequences of his actions in this life.

Collateral Damage: The Mysterious Deaths of Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Kilgallen, and the Ties that Bind Them to Robert Kennedy and the JFK Assassination
by Mark Shaw

If there had been no cover-up of Robert Kennedy’s complicity in the murder of Marilyn Monroe in 1962 and he had been prosecuted based on compelling evidence at the time, the assassination of JFK by Bobby’s enemies would not have happened—changing the course of history and preventing the murder of media icon Dorothy Kilgallen.

In a breakthrough book that is sure to be relevant for years to come, bestselling author (The Reporter Who Knew Too Much) and distinguished historian Mark Shaw investigates the connection between the mysterious deaths of motion picture screen siren Marilyn Monroe, President John F. Kennedy, and What’s My Line? TV star and crack investigative reporter Dorothy Kilgallen. A former noted criminal defense attorney and network legal analyst, Shaw provides an illuminating perspective as to how Robert Kennedy’s abuse of power during the early 1960s resulted in the murders of Marilyn, JFK, and Dorothy.

You can find more by Mark Shaw here.