The blossoming superstar drove over to her partner's house one last time in August 1980. The purpose of the meeting was to sort out the financial settlement and prepare the divorce. However, Paul took out his gun, shot his wife in the face and committed suicide. 

"The shell had entered above her left eye leaving the bones of that seraphic face shattered and displaced in a welter of pulp," wrote investigative journalist Teresa Carpenter in the Village Voice.

"A very sick guy saw his meal ticket and his connection to power, whatever, slipping away, said Hugh Hefner of the grisly incident, according to Harper's Bazaar. 

"And it was that that made him kill her." 

The forthcoming episode of 20/20 will shed light on new, hitherto-undisclosed aspects of the murder. Drawing on interviews with former Playmates and Dorothy's contemporaries, the show will bring to the fore the factors leading to this tragedy. 

20/20 will air on ABC at 9 p.m. ET.