The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes. Barbara Richardson (Barbara Ann Barnett Richardson) See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos Barbara Connell Richardson See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos Barbara Richardson See Photos While there probably had been tenants coming in and out, its unknown at this point whether they can confirm if the place was indeed haunted. Early in the morning of the robbery, Holmes visited Nash's mansion ostensibly to party and to buy drugs, but on his way out, left the patio door to the kitchen unlatched. The house was notorious for round-the-clock mayhem and debauchery. The robbery was an inside job set up by Holmes, who was a close associate of Nash's, and whom Nash regularly referred to as "my brother". Launius was known for remaining composed under pressure. But he would eventually tell a court the same story of what hed seen at Nashs house although not until several years after the murders. Federal prosecutors have reached back to history here to revive a sensational murder case, unveiling an indictment that alleges that a former nightclub owner, his bodyguard and a pornography actor arranged the killings of four people in the Hollywood Hills nearly two decades ago. Holmes arrives at the apartment, and they have sex and snort cocaine in the bathroom. Barbara Flavin was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, March 25, 1949, the daughter of Evelyn Mary (ne Kaplan) and John Francis Flavin. New Charges in 19-Year-Old Drug Killings in Hollywood, https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/21/us/new-charges-in-19-year-old-drug-killings-in-hollywood.html. The Wonderland Case, Explained O n July 1, 1981, four people were found murdered inside a Los Angeles home in a sensational case combining "dope, porn, sex and drugs and organized crime," as a retired LAPD detective once told The New York Times. She draws on her Southern roots to write award-winning books for children in grades 3 to 6. . The high quality of most of the acting makes this otherwise pointless and indulgent movie at least watchable, and Lisa Kudrow's performance in particular provides a glimpse of the better movie you wish it were. [21][22] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure.[23]. Nash was eventually sentenced to 37 months in prison after a RICO conviction that included conspiracy to commit the Wonderland murders, but no one who swung the blunt metal objects the pipes or the hammers was convicted. By the time Holmes had become involved with the group, Miller had been arrested seven times, been treated for breast cancer, and six months before had had a double mastectomy. Nash and Diles faced a mistrial in 1990, and were acquitted in 1991. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". Browse 278 barbara richardson stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. It has nonstop drug use, frequent violence and some sex, though not as much as its main character's profession might lead one to expect. While there, he noticed a man resembling Holmes being tied to a chair and being beaten by Diles. Anyone can read what you share. You can buy "Wonderland" on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox as download or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon Video, Vudu, Microsoft Store, Redbox online. The weapons used by the killers were believed to be a combination of hammers and metal pipes. , money, salary, income, and assets. John Holmes died of medical complications due to AIDS on March 13, 1988, aged 43. Played by Val Kilmer as a manic, self-pitying, self-destructive charmer next to whom Mr. Kilmer's Jim Morrison in ''The Doors'' looks like a church deacon, Holmes is a stud who has long since gone to seed. [citation needed], The two bedroom split-level house was leased in Joy Miller's name. But there is no doubt that for those who may have known the story, they cannot help but get an eerie feeling each time they enter the house. Source: [https://allthatsinteresting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/wonderland-avenue-house.jpg]. [citation needed]. As of January 2017, Susan Launius is both the sole survivor of the Wonderland murders and the only living member of the Wonderland Gang. The film stars Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Dylan McDermott, Carrie Fisher, Lisa Kudrow, Josh Lucas, Christina Applegate, Tim Blake Nelson, and Janeane Garofalo. Scott Thorson, who was buying drugs at Nash's home, wrote in his memoir My Life with Liberace (1988) that Nash had ordered Diles to bring Holmes to Nash's house, which Diles did after finding Holmes walking around Hollywood wearing one of Nash's rings. Launius, DeVerell, McCourt, and Lind had invaded the home of Eddie Nash, a known organized crime boss, and nightclub owner. I flew in from I believe I was in Tahoe with Liberace, he says. To avoid leaving any identifying traces, the men had previously dipped their fingers in a product known as "Liquid Band-Aid" so as to not leave any fingerprints behind. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! As First Lady of New Mexico, she formed the New Mexico Immunizations Coalition in April 2003. LA Medical Examiner's autopsy report, 81-8538, conducted immediately after the Wonderland Murders. Liberace's former lover shares what he saw the night of the murders and why he thinks law enforcement should keep working on the case. They were probably considered dirtbags and drug dealers and Who cares? he says. [5], Roger Ebert gave the film a mediocre review, granting it two out of four stars, and saying: "True crime procedurals can have a certain fascination, but not when they're jumbled glimpses of what might or might not have happened involving a lot of empty people whose main claim to fame is that they're dead. But that may not mean that some of the spirits of the Wonderland house are not done telling the story of what really happened here. The four men had broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home. Following the robbery, Holmes ended up back at Nash's home. Thorson remembers hearing the news of Nashs sentencing in October 2001. The robbery was seemingly successful, having yielded a lucrative haul for the gang; they absconded with more than $1.2 million ($3.6 million today) worth of cocaine, heroin, quaaludes, cash, the antique guns, and jewelry. [3] The men entered the property through the sliding glass door Holmes had left unlocked, and confronted Nash and his bodyguard, Gregory Diles, pretending to be police officers. [citation needed]. Mr. Holmes, who was staying at the Wonderland residence, was accused of opening the door to let the killers in and participating in the murders. Launius, DeVerell, and Lind performed the invasion and robbery, while McCourt waited outside in a stolen Ford Granada and served as lookout. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. When asked to elaborate, the policeman explained: "A trash can only has two handles". Numerous television shows have covered the Wonderland murders, such as: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Barbara Richardsons income source is mostly from being a successful . | While the Wonderland murders still remain unsolved to this day, many of those who were connected in some way are no longer living. Launiuss wife Susan was gravely injured and is the only known survivor of the attack. According to our Database, He has no children. Aside from their drug dealings, some of the occupants were known for committing robberies and burglaries throughout Los Angeles. While there had been no arrests even to this day, the place still might be haunted with a spirit or two that may tell the story of what actually happened. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. However, it wasnt until 1990 when Eddie Nash and his bodyguard were both arrested and were accused of their roles in the murder. Accounts vary as to how and why Holmes arrived there; according to some sources, Holmes went there himself to try to make himself appear innocent, whereas others claim Holmes was kidnapped by Nash's henchmen when they recognized him walking around wearing some of Nash's jewelry. Mr. Nash was believed to have figured out Mr. Holmes's role, forced him to reveal the robbers' identities and help in the killings. On July 1, 1981, three members and one associate of the gang died in the Wonderland murders (also known as the "Four on the Floor murders" or the "Laurel Canyon murders"). Holmes, Nash, and Diles were each tried for the murders. ''Perhaps things are now provable that weren't provable years ago.''. John Holmes was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in March 1982, after his handprint was found in one of the bedrooms. Barbara Richardson crime scene photo via Morgue Murder Files. In 1981, at Launius' behest, Lind traveled to Los Angeles to join the Wonderland gang and assist them in running drugs. Confidential,'' but it is really more ''Boogie Nights.'' An art deco masterpiece located in the heart of Hollywood, it was a popular venue for many dazzling stage For decades, the city of Los Angeles has prevailed as the motion picture epicenter of the world. Pin on Wonderland Murders, True Crime Explore Save From i.pinimg.com John Holmes Wonderland victim. In his last days, it was reported that Holmes no longer wanted to cooperate with authorities regarding the murders. Unaware of Nashs illicit line of work, Liberace had, through Thorson, invested in some of the nightclubs Nash owned in L.A. at the time. The ''Wonderland murders,'' named after the site, 4763 Wonderland Avenue, where the killings took place on July 1, 1981, proved a potent mix of seamy celebrity, drugs and violence. The Wonderland Gang was a group of drug dealers involved in the Los Angeles cocaine trade during the late 1970s and early 1980s; their home base was located on Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon section of Los Angeles, California. Others associated with the Wonderland home were also later deceased. Today, Thorson is the last person alive with firsthand knowledge of the notorious massacre, at least among those who are willing to admit to it. Launius, 36, was a Vietnam Veteran who had been dishonorably discharged after the Air Force discovered he had been smuggling heroin back to the states from overseas in the body bags of . In addition, she runs an annual bowling fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.[3]. 2023 JustWatch - All external content remains the property of the rightful owner. View Barbara Richardson results in Pennsylvania (PA) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. For something to become a really big media event, you need the idea that it could happen to anybody, he says. Prior to his passing, the LAPD was still investigating the murders long after the trial of Holmes had ended. The next major character introduced is David Lind. He is perhaps best-known as Liberaces former lover. And I was there when they brought him back and they were all covered in blood. Later, Thorson adds, I heard Nash give the orders: Kill everyone thats there.. Trending. The autopsy performed after his murder identified numerous injection scars on his forearms, in addition to hyperplasia of the lymph nodes a common sign of narcotics abuse. [9], David Clay Lind was a biker, heroin addict, and member of the Aryan Brotherhood who befriended Launius when the two men served time in prison together. I think if he would have done it in todays time, he would be jailed for it, he says. [1] On July 1, 1981, three members and one associate of the gang died in the Wonderland murders (also known as the "Four on the Floor murders" or the "Laurel Canyon murders"). : : They had discovered that an untold amount of cocaine and other valuables were stolen, totaling about $1 million. Another officer, Billy Ward, intervenes in the investigation. By the time of the Wonderland murders, Lind had been incarcerated several times for armed burglary, forgery, assault, and assault with the intent to commit rape. Scott Thorson, who was buying drugs at Nash's home, wrote in his memoir My Life with Liberace (1988) that Nash had ordered Diles to bring Holmes to Nash's house, which Diles did after finding Holmes walking around Hollywood wearing one of Nash's rings. Raised in Grayslake, Richardson attended Warren Township High School and, after getting married in the mid-1940s and having three children, she began her professional career working. [8], William Raymond DeVerell[5] was Launius' right-hand man and a voice of reason. One witness named Scott Thorson (who was best known as a partner of famous musician Liberace) stopped by the house to purchase drugs. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". The Wonderland murders have been the subject of movies, books, and, of course, podcasts. It is currently the last production to adapt the original stories (as Tim Burton's 2010 film was written as a sequel) and was first broadcast on NBC and then shown on British television on Channel 4. It was said that they were carrying hammers and pipes as weapons. We will update Barbara Richardson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. When questioned, neighbors said the drug-fueled Wonderland parties often included loud, violent screaming and disruptive noise, so when they heard the murders occurring, they simply believed another party was taking place. Eddie Nash died of unspecified causes on August 9, 2014, aged 85. Lind claimed she was his girlfriend, though he was 20 years older than her, and she was married. Miller and her live-in boyfriend, Billy DeVerell, were the usual residents; Ron Launius and his wife, Susan, were house guests. The house located on 8763 Wonderland Avenue in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Laurel Canyon. Barbara Richardson is on Facebook. Lind and Launius had become friends while in prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release. The murder victims belong to a group of addicts and small-time dealers whose endless, hectic parties gain a certain sleazy cachet from Holmes's presence. https://allthatsinteresting.com/wonderland-murders, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-14-me-1912-story.html. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is a popular holiday destination known for Old Hollywood's rich and famous intrigues. Join Facebook to connect with Brbara Richardson and others you may know. I know Matt Damon. Instead he treats the episode as a chance to show off his mastery of fast-cutting, atmospheric style, which is impressive, but also a little annoying. He spent considerable time in the Colorado prison system, but when he was free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise. ''Wonderland,'' directed by James Cox, is part of a curious, somewhat unsavory subgenre of movies that involve washed-up, sort-of-famous people and death by bludgeoning. He is from . Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 69 years old? On 1 July 1981, she was beaten to death by some of Eddie Nash's men, who used striated lead pipes to kill the gang members, as she slept on the couch of Launius' rowhouse on Wonderland Avenue. In the years following the Wonderland murders, McCourt was reported to have moved to Colorado. All five occupants were known for dealing drugs while using themselves. [citation needed], John Holmes was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in March 1982, after his handprint was found in one of the bedrooms. I have to be honest, if I could catch him in a lie, that would have added entertainment value to the podcast. Imagine a house just sitting there like any other on the block. Susan Launius is beaten but survives, and is questioned by Nico and Cruz in her hospital bed. We were freebasing, and he was right. [citation needed], Susan A. Murphy Launius, then 30, while not an official member of the gang, was married to gang member Ron Launius and had a drug habit. [citation needed], David Lind, ordinarily a resident of the Sacramento area, came to Los Angeles in the summer of 1981 at Launius' behest, to aid in their growing drug-distribution business.