Prior to the robbery, Nash was visited on three separate occasions throughout the day by John Holmes, known at the time as one of the most popular adult film stars. In addition, she runs an annual bowling fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.[3]. But when Mr. Nash, appearing on a television news program two weeks ago, was asked if he had ordered the killings, he said: ''No, I did not. The prosecutors say the killings were committed in retaliation for a break-in and drug robbery at Mr. Nash's home two nights earlier, in which he was made to kneel and beg for his life, and Mr. Diles was grazed by a bullet. Barbara Richardson's net worth [10], Joy Audrey Gold Miller was Billy DeVerell's girlfriend and the leaseholder of the Wonderland townhouse. [6] In May 1974, he was arrested for and charged with the 1973 murder of a reputed police drug informant who had been killed over a botched drug deal. I think if he would have done it in todays time, he would be jailed for it, 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. 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. The coalition of doctors and state officials created a registry that medical providers can check and see which immunizations children need, as well as a color-coded schedule with baby pictures indicating the appropriate ages for vaccines to help parents track their children's care. On June 29, 1981, the Wonderland Gang, comprising Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, David Lind, Tracy McCourt, and their associate, John Holmes, conspired to launch a home invasion and robbery upon Eddie Nash, a reputedly powerful organized crime figure who usually referred to himself in the third person as "The Nash". Hed been robbed at gunpoint two days before. Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, Barbara Richardson, and Joy Miller had all been beaten to death with metal objects. In retrospect, Thorson says he recognizes that Liberace took advantage of him. After a key witness for the prosecution died in an unrelated police shootout, the murder charges against Launius were dropped. [8], William Raymond DeVerell[5] was Launius' right-hand man and a voice of reason. When asked to elaborate, the policeman explained: "A trash can only has two handles". As they were handcuffing both men, Lind accidentally shot Diles in the back after Launius bumped into him, injuring the bodyguard. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I had never touched drugs until I met Liberace, he says. Joy Miller was found dead in her bed, while DeVerell's body was slumped at the foot, leaning against the TV stand. (Nash had befriended Holmes because of Holmes' notoriety as the porn film phenomenon Johnny Wadd.) In his last days, it was reported that Holmes no longer wanted to cooperate with authorities regarding the murders. Barbara Flavin was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, March 25, 1949, the daughter of Evelyn Mary (ne Kaplan) and John Francis Flavin. 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. Susan Launius is beaten but survives, and is questioned by Nico and Cruz in her hospital bed. And I took a Lear jet into Burbank and I met with Eddie Nash., When Thorson arrived, however, Nash had neither drugs nor money. He was very distraught, Thorson says. I'm Barbara Richardson, assistant general manager of customer service, communications and marketing at Metro. 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. Barbara Richardson was born on 1951. Confidential,'' but it is really more ''Boogie Nights.'' [citation needed] Launius' brazen and fearless nature led both to his dominance in the drug trade as well as his demise, stemming from the events leading up to his death in the Wonderland Murders. Launius, DeVerell, and Lind performed the invasion and robbery, while McCourt waited outside in a stolen Ford Granada and served as lookout. Barbara Richardson Owner of Hungryscarecrow, creators of clean label, gluten-free bread mixes. [Police] would have to investigate it, but I think theres a couple people still alive.. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. Aside from their drug dealings, some of the occupants were known for committing robberies and burglaries throughout Los Angeles. . Here, oddly enough, his rival is also named Nash. Crime author Michael Connelly, creator of the Audible podcast The Wonderland Murders & the Secret History of Hollywood, also struggled to trust what he was hearing from Thorson but found his stories checked out. Diles compels Holmes to deliver blows to Launius. However, he had admitted that he hired people to retrieve some property that belonged to him that was at the Wonderland house prior to police arriving to investigate the murders themselves. [2], The Wonderland Gang mainly trafficked in the burgeoning cocaine trade of the era, but despite its role as the most influential and feared cocaine distributorship of its time in Los Angeles, some of its members were heroin addicts. Diles died in 1997 from liver failure. Just days after the attack, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the murders and searched the house for evidence. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . After the sun came up, police found a bloody crime scene inside a house 8763 Wonderland Avenue, the known residence of the Wonderland Gang, a group of drug dealers. Gregory Diles would die in 1997. As First Lady of New Mexico, she formed the New Mexico Immunizations Coalition in April 2003. Yeah, this is the best party I've ever been to. Anyone can read what you share. He is buried at Congregation Emanuel Cemetery in. 2023 JustWatch - All external content remains the property of the rightful owner. in Hollywood, California, Scott Thorson, Last Living Wonderland Murders Witness, Is Finally Free, Family Remembers OnlyFans Model Coconut Kitty as Badass Artist, Rockstar Mom, Alex Murdaugh Admits He Lied to Police, Says Painkillers Made Him Paranoid, LA Man Charged With Hate Crimes Threatened Classmate: I Want You Dead, Jew, The Wonderland Murders & the Secret History of Hollywood, Alex MurdaughCalled 'Family Annihilator' by Prosecution in Murder Trial, Fresh Controversy for Ja Morant as NBA Star Is Accused of Assaulting Teen, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe Review: A Candy-Coated Balm for the Soul, NYPD's Violent Tactics During 2020 Protests Will Cost New York City, Tax Payers Millions, People Are Getting Pregnant on TikToks Trendy 'On-Demand' Birth Control, A Year After Brain Injury, Amy Grant Sets First Solo Musical Return in a Decade, Jena Malone Says She Was Sexually Assaulted by 'Hunger Games' Coworker. While prosecutors were attempting to paint Holmes as one of the willing participants of the murders, Holmes attorneys were able to prove that Holmes was not involved with the murders, but rather a victim who was forced to allow the assailants entry into the home to carry out the attack. That year, however, Launius was convicted of smuggling heroin and cocaine across the US/Mexico border and eventually served three years of an eight-year sentence in a federal prison. Still, the film is absorbing without being especially affecting, partly because it assembles an impressive group of actors who seem to revel in the ambient scuzziness, including Carrie Fisher, Janeane Garofalo, Tim Blake Nelson, Faizon Love and Josh Lucas. But they arent nearly as well known as some of L.A.s other notorious crimes like the Manson family murders, which they resemble in kind a house full of people brutally slain overnight. | 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. The film itself didnt have a scene that was based on the Wonderland Murders, but there was once a scene that was loosely based on the robbery of Nash. Available on Amazon and our website. 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. He took me into his bedroom and he said that he had just been robbed of close to a million dollars worth of cocaine, jewelry and drugs., A short time later, Nashs body guard, Gregory Diles, came into the room, dragging the famous porn star John Holmes, a friend of Nashs whom Nash had discovered was responsible for letting the robbers into his house. [18], Although neighbors would later report having heard screams, no phone calls were placed to the police until 4:00 PM on July 1, over 12 hours later, when furniture movers working at the house next door heard Susan Launius moaning and went to investigate. Barbara works at Animal Rescue. 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. It was this last line of "business", particularly the armed robbery of Eddie Nash, that ultimately led to the group's sudden and violent end. 2023 Copyright LA Ghosts. While at the crime scene, he is picked up by Nico and Cruz. Holmes actually went to Nash's three times that morning. Ron Launius Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Barbara Richardson Bedford, Texas Also known as: barbara.richardson.39 Animal Rescue Clarkstown High School South Barbara currently lives in Bedford, TX. She claimed that John told her that he witnessed the murders after leading the apparent assailants inside the house and watched the murders occur. Holmes, Nash, and Diles were each tried for the murders. Hed sent Thorson on June 30th to collect their cut of the clubs door money, and Thorson had combined errands and ordered a pound of cocaine from Nash for himself. It was said that they were carrying hammers and pipes as weapons. 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. She tells them (in a near comatose state) that she does not remember anything, only shadows. [5], Barbara Lee Easton (married Walter Richardson in 1977 after graduating from Sacramento Cordova high school in 1976) Richardson, who was 22 at the time of her death, was associated with David Lind. [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. Launiuss wife Susan was gravely injured and is the only known survivor of the attack. Richarson's body was found on the living room floor in front of the sofa. After the trial, Holmes would serve out his jail time. Others associated with the Wonderland home were also later deceased. It's a pleasure to be here this morning to take your questions and comments about. Join Facebook to connect with Barbara Ann Richardson and others you may know. After the trial ended in a hung jury, they were retried the following year and were later acquitted. : The film stars Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Dylan McDermott, Carrie Fisher, Lisa Kudrow, Josh Lucas, Christina Applegate, Tim Blake Nelson, and Janeane Garofalo. [14][15] The objective of the robbery was to steal a hoard of cash, heroin, and cocaine that Holmes claimed was in a safe embedded in Nash's bedroom floor, as well as to retrieve some antique guns the Wonderland Gang had stolen from another businessman and then subsequently, using Holmes as an intermediary, sold to Nash in exchange for drugs. In 1981, at Launius' behest, Lind traveled to Los Angeles to join the Wonderland gang and assist them in running drugs. He is not dating anyone. The events that took place inside happened just 40 hours after Nash was robbed, and they were hardly muted. The home was a site of an infamous homicide involving one of the most recognized adult film stars of his time. 1976 J John Weg 95 followers More information Wonderland victim. Facebook gives. Tracy Raymond McCourt was the driver of the stolen 1975 Ford Granada that carried the Wonderland Gang to Eddie Nash's home on the night of the robbery. Thorson claimed to have witnessed Nash order Diles to beat Holmes, and said Nash threatened to kill Holmes and his family, until Holmes identified the people behind the robbery. The killings occurred in an era of notorious Los Angeles criminals, including the Skid Row Slasher, the Hillside Strangler and the Night Stalker. All the other characters in in the movie are psychologically transparent: they are addicts and criminals motivated by need, greed and revenge, but Ms. Kudrow, looking sorrowful and severe, remains tantalizingly opaque. In the years following the Wonderland murders, McCourt was reported to have moved to Colorado. 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