WAS A RISING COUNTRY MUSIC STAR MURDERED? -- "48 HOURS MYSTERY," SATURDAY, MAY 13

Country Music Star Lee Ann Womack Wants Justice for Her Late Friend, Randy Hardison

Randy Hardison was on the road to country music stardom, writing hit songs for big names such as Lee Ann Womack, Garth Brooks and Darryl Worley. But, as Hardison's star was rising, he was found lying in a pool of blood outside his Nashville apartment on June 1, 2002. Hardison had been assaulted and his skull had been fractured; three days later, he died. Who wanted to hurt or even kill Hardison? Correspondent Peter Van Sant talks with country music stars Lee Ann Womack and Darryl Worley about their dear friend, Randy Hardison, for 48 HOURS MYSTERY: "Cheatin' Heart," to be broadcast Saturday, May 13 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"He was just�one of the finest people that you'd ever have the chance to meet. He's the last person you could ever imagine somebody wanting to hurt," Womack says of Hardison through tears. "He was just on the verge of being one of our major, major players," says Womack.

Country music singer/songwriter Worley tells 48 HOURS, "[Hardison] could do anything -- drums, singing, playing guitar, writing songs. Randy was getting ready to set this town on its ear. He had the momentum."

Hardison had been helping Catina Skipper, a newcomer in Nashville hoping to become a country singing star. Hardison and Skipper started making beautiful music together in more ways than one: they had an affair. According to Hardison's friends, at one point Skipper's husband, Ronnie, threatened Hardison. Ronnie claims he's innocent.

On Nashville's Music Row, nearly everyone thought this was a simple case of a jealous husband taking revenge, and Hardison's friends want justice. The evidence includes a threatening message discovered on Hardison's answering machine. But, with a trial looming, there's a bombshell: someone other than Ronnie Skipper confesses to the crime.

The Hardison case has all the elements of a country song � passion, love, heartbreak and betrayal. But, does it also have murder? And, if so, who committed it?

48 HOURS MYSTERY: "Cheatin' Heart" was produced by Jay Young and Mary Noonan. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer and Susan Zirinsky is the executive producer.