Man admits manslaughter of Shelly

Adrienne Shelly tried to stop a robbery in her flat

A construction worker has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of actress Adrienne Shelly, star of films such as Waitress and The Unbelievable Truth.

District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said Diego Pillco had admitted killing her when she caught him stealing her wallet at her Manhattan apartment.

He added Pillco knocked her unconscious before he "choked her to death and made it look like a suicide".

The 40-year-old actress was found dead in November 2006.

Pillco, originally from Ecuador, could face up to 25 years in prison.

He has waived his right to appeal and will be sentenced in March.

Romantic comedy Waitress, also starring Keri Russell, registered the second-highest box office takings per screen on its opening weekend last May.

Shelly's husband, Andrew Ostroy, has founded The Adrienne Shelly Foundation to provide grants and scholarships to young female filmmakers.