Full Breakdown
William Hasley, Author and Screenwriter, Found Dead on Runyon Canyon Trail
6/10/2026, 1:12:51 PM
Discovery of a Prominent Writer on Runyon Canyon
William Hasley, a 78-year-old author, screenwriter, and UCLA writing instructor, was found dead near Runyon Canyon in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 6, 2024. Los Angeles Fire Department crews arrived at approximately 7:05 p.m. and reported the discovery. The New York Post, citing the department, reported the time as 7:05 p.m. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Hasley’s death, but a cause has not been released and remains under investigation.
Career Overview and Notable Collaborations
Hasley began his writing career with cartoons for Hanna-Barbera and Filmation, contributing to series such as *The Smurfs* and *Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids*. A script about the Special Olympics led to volunteer work with the organization, where he met retired Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner commissioned Hasley to co-author the motivational book *Finding the Champion Within* for Simon & Schuster. He later ghost-wrote *Passion, Profit, & Power* for Marshall Sylver and *The Slight Edge* for Jeff Olson, developed the pilot *Brooklyn District*, and sold screenplays to Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, and Logo Entertainment. A member of the Writers Guild of America, he taught writing courses at UCLA, emphasizing iterative revision.
Timeline of the June 6 Incident
- June 6, 2024, ~7:05 p.m. – Los Angeles Fire Department locates Hasley near Runyon Canyon.
- June 6, 2024 – Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirms death, age 78; cause pending.
- June 6, 2024 onward – Investigation continues; no official cause released.
Official Response and Outstanding Questions
The Los Angeles Fire Department did not provide an immediate comment when contacted. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office issued a brief statement confirming Hasley’s death and indicating that the cause will be announced after further examination. The investigation is being overseen by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which will determine the official cause. No family spokesperson or additional agency has released details, leaving the investigation’s findings pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “If you can't play pro ball, at least you can imagine it and write about it,” — William Hasley, personal website
- “They became fast friends and Jenner commissioned Will to write a motivational book about his championship philosophy entitled, Finding the Champion Within for Simon & Schuster.” — William Hasley, personal website
- “In my class only you can limit yourself. I hope to form a camaraderie among my students so you will feel safe enough to fall flat on your pages, then pick them up, and improve on what you have already written. The truth is, writers write, then they rewrite. Writing is very much like putting a puzzle together. You may try many pieces before the right piece fits perfectly. Writing is the same way,” — William Hasley, UCLA bio
- “I challenge you to challenge yourself.” — William Hasley, UCLA bio
Next Steps in the Investigation
The medical examiner’s office will release autopsy results when available, and media outlets will update the public as further details emerge.
