barbara richardson wonderland

Around 3:00 a.m. on July 1, 1981, two days after the robbery, an unknown number of unidentified men entered the Wonderland Avenue townhouse and bludgeoned to death Launius, DeVerell, Miller, and Barbara Richardson (Lind's girlfriend who had been visiting). Schiller eventually calls Holmes to come and get her. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. I was shocked, he says. 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 . 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. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. Source: [https://i.imgur.com/KesSu82.jpg]. We want to hear it. 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. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". Detective Lange said Mr. Holmes was a drug client and associate of Mr. Nash, and left a door unlocked for the robbers to enter Mr. Nash's residence. [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. 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". Alice in Wonderland is a 1999 made-for-television film adaptation of Lewis Carroll's books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1871). [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"). He tells Holmes he will kill every person listed in the book, starting with Holmes' mother, if Holmes does not give up the men who robbed him. 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. Release Dates 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. Barbara Richardson (ne Flavin; born March 25, 1949) is the former First Lady of New Mexico and the wife of Bill Richardson, the 9th United States Secretary of Energy . As of January 2017, Susan Launius is both the sole survivor of the Wonderland murders and the only living member of the Wonderland Gang. 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. The home was located on Wonderland Avenue, in Los Angeles's Laurel Canyon neighborhood. [10], Joy Audrey Gold Miller was Billy DeVerell's girlfriend and the leaseholder of the Wonderland townhouse. Specifically at the time of the murder, Lind testified in court that he was at a motel in the San Fernando Valley, consuming drugs with a male prostitute. At 62, Thorson has had a fever-dream of a life so far, bizarre in more ways than most people would care to fathom. John Holmes died of medical complications due to AIDS on March 13, 1988, aged 43. Lind claimed she was his girlfriend, though he was 20 years older than her, and she was married. The final victim was Barbara Richardson, 22, Sacramento, Calif. Court records revealed that a codefendant in Miss Miller's narcotics case was John 'Ricco' Vlick, 53, who lives in a. (Holmes, who had starred in hundreds of films by that time, is the subject of a 1989 Rolling Stone feature by Mike Sager about his involvement in these events, The Devil and John Holmes.) Nash asked me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says. Barbara Richardson is on Facebook. However, he died in 1988. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. Reportedly, at the time of his death, police investigators throughout California, largely in the Sacramento area, had 27 open homicide cases they believed were perpetrated by Launius. Mr. Nash's lawyer, Fred Rucker, did not return telephone calls. What seems indisputable is that he was mixed up in some very bad business. 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. Barbara Richardson Bedford, Texas Also known as: barbara.richardson.39 Animal Rescue Clarkstown High School South Barbara currently lives in Bedford, TX. The Wonderland murders have been the subject of movies, books, and, of course, podcasts. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. And in this, it was like a revenge thing against drug dealers. 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. 1976 John Holmes Barbara Lee Grave Memorials Find A Grave Easton True Crime Donovan Graphic Image In Hollywood More information . 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. Others associated with the Wonderland home were also later deceased. The next morning, while in a motel room, Dawn sees a newscast that states four people were murdered at a rowhouse on Wonderland Avenue, the same one she had earlier been at with Holmes. However, a month after his passing, Holmess first wife disclosed in an interview that John Holmes had arrived at her home with blood splatter all over him. Matt Damon played him opposite Michael Douglas in the 2013 HBO movie Behind the Candelabra, based on Thorsons tell-all book by the same name about his relationship with the famous pianist. Directed by James Cox; written by Mr. Cox, Captain Mauzner, Todd Samovitz and D. Loriston Scott; director of photography, Michael Grady; edited by Jeff McEvoy; production designer, Franco-Giacomo Carbone; produced by Holly Wiersma and Michael Paseornek; released by Lions Gate Films. 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. Neither Lind nor Holmes seems to be a very reliable informer or an especially admirable character, and the movie, though fascinated by the druggy, amoral milieu, holds each man at arm's length. Wonderland is a 2003 American crime drama film, co-written and directed by James Cox and based on the real-life Wonderland Murders that occurred in 1981. After the members recovered, Holmes was worried that the patio door may have been locked again, so he returned to Nash's a third time, purchased some crack cocaine, ensured the door was unlatched, and notified the gang that the home was ready for invasion. This film is rated R. WITH: Val Kilmer (John Holmes), Lisa Kudrow (Sharon Holmes), Kate Bosworth (Dawn Schiller), Dylan McDermott (David Lind), Josh Lucas (Ron Launius), Tim Blake Nelson (Billy Deverell), Eric Bogosian (Eddie Nash), Ted Levine (Sam Nico), Franky G. (Louis Cruz), Christina Applegate (Susan Launius), Natasha Gregson-Wagner (Barbara Richardson), Janeane Garofalo (Joy Miller), Carrie Fisher (Sally Hansen) and Faizon Love (Greg Diles). At heart it is a standard cop show whodunit, with Mr. Levine and Franky G. as the dogged detectives trying to sort through the distortions and ambiguities. Diles died in 1997 from liver failure. He has some bad press. The next morning, Ron Launius, Lind, and Deverell carry out the robbery, while wheel-man Tracy McCourt waits outside in a car, serving as lookout. Holmes was acquitted in 1982, but died in 1988 from complications related to AIDS. The story eventually moves on to two city detectives investigating the crime, Sam Nico and Louis Cruz, and their contact with Holmes. You enjoying yourself? All rights reserved. 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. He is from . Lind and Launius had become friends while in prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release. Liberace and Scott Thorson at La Cage Aux Folles in Hollywood on April 21, 1981 Facebook gives. Through Lind's story (told in flashbacks), we are introduced to some of the people who partied at Wonderland. Wonderland (2003) Natasha Gregson Wagner as Barbara Richardson. Nash and Diles faced a mistrial in 1990, and were acquitted in 1991. Gregory Diles would die in 1997. Barbara Easton Richardson. I flew in from I believe I was in Tahoe with Liberace, he says. Ron Launius, 37, Billy DeVerell, 44, Joy Miller, 46, and Barbara Richardson, 22, all died in the 1981 massacre. He was very distraught, Thorson says. Joy Miller was found dead in her bed, while DeVerell's body was slumped at the foot, leaning against the TV stand. I had never touched drugs until I met Liberace, he says. "[6], Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:09, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderland_(2003_film)&oldid=1141795244, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 21:09. Launius is buried at Lodi Memorial Park and Cemetery in, DeVerell is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Covina Hills) in, Miller is buried at Mount Sinai Memorial Park in, Richardson is buried at Saint Marys Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum in, David Lind died of a heroin overdose on November 16, 1995, aged 55. Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell,. Ron Launius, Deverell, Richardson, and Miller are all brutally beaten to death with striated lead pipes. Her latest book is Wish, a middle grade novel published by FSG. Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts. But a lot of that happened back then., Over Zoom, Thorson has a plasticky sheen and eyebrows that look painted on the appearance of someone whos been under the knife. Menu. After the trial, Holmes would serve out his jail time. He is not homophobic. Police believed the brutality of the killings suggested a crime of rage and revenge. Early life and education[ edit] Barbara Flavin was born in Gardner, Massachusetts, March 25, 1949, the daughter of Evelyn Mary ( ne Kaplan) and John Francis Flavin. This discovery would lead to Holmess arrest in March of 1982. Official Sites While there, he noticed a man resembling Holmes being tied to a chair and being beaten by Diles. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes. 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. The two formed a relationship that overlapped parent-child and romantic partners that he admits would be considered abusive by modern standards, but stayed under the radar at the time. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". Confidential,'' but it is really more ''Boogie Nights.'' 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. Attempting to get back in the gang's good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash's home. 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. As a result, she suffered permanent amnesia and had a part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically removed. Thats what got me hooked, Thorson says. Originally, McCourt was designated to take part in the home invasion itself, but a day or so before the event, conspirator David Lind (who derisively referred to McCourt as "Titmouse Tracy") took away McCourt's handgun, and McCourt was relegated to driving duty. Here, oddly enough, his rival is also named Nash. Launius' wife, Susan, survived the attack, although she was left with permanent brain damage and lost part of one finger. 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. Lind is not present during the attacks. Mr. Nash, 71, was arrested at noon on Friday at his condominium in Tarzana, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles. Employees of the VA hospital where Holmes lived out his last days recalled seeing Holmes give incoherent answers or not even responding to the questions at all due to the severity of his illness. Public Records & Background Search Barbara A Richardson, age 73, Brooklyn, NY Background Check The home was a site of an infamous homicide involving one of the most recognized adult film stars of his time. 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. Followed around by his patient girlfriend, Dawn (Kate Bosworth), and her pet chihuahua, he pinballs around Los Angeles County looking for drugs and finding trouble. That is what they are paid to do of course; why anyone else should care is the real unsolved mystery. "LA: Black Dahlia, John Holmes & Wonderland", "Slaying Victim Was Once Charged In Drug Murder", "Trial Begins for 2 in Grisly Laurel Canyon Murders of Mid-1981", "Crime Library: Notorious Murders: Celebrity: John Holmes", "John Holmes, 43, Dies, Was Star of Sex Films", "Nash Bodyguard Jurors Deadlock, to Try Again", "Two Acquitted in Second Trial for '81 Laurel Canyon Murders", "The New Season/Film; John Holmes's Boogie Life", "Gregory Dewitt Diles (1948-1997) - Find A Grave", "Adel Gharib "Eddie Nash" Nasrallah (1929-2014) -", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wonderland_Gang&oldid=1134934701, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from January 2022, All articles that may contain original research, Articles that may contain original research from January 2022, Articles with dead external links from December 2013, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from January 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2019, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Ronald Lee "Ron" Launius (May 18, 1944 - July 1, 1981) (Leader), William Raymond "Billy" DeVerell (February 14, 1937 - July 1, 1981), David Clay Lind (October 24, 1938 - November 16, 1995), Tracy Raymond McCourt (February 20, 1949 - October 18, 2006), Joy Audrey Gold Miller (May 14, 1935 - July 1, 1981) (DeVerell's girlfriend and the house leaseholder), Susan A. Murphy Launius (born 1951) (Launius' wife), Barbara Lee "Butterfly" Easton Richardson (October 15, 1958 - July 1, 1981) (Lind's girlfriend). Richardson, and their contact with Holmes is that he was mixed up in very! And revenge resembling Holmes being tied to a chair and being beaten by Diles striated pipes... Being beaten by Diles lind 's story ( told in flashbacks ), are... Paid to do of course, podcasts it is really More `` Boogie Nights. barbara richardson wonderland Susan... Story eventually moves on to two City detectives investigating the crime, Sam Nico and Louis Cruz,,. Is the real unsolved mystery 20 years older than her, and contact! # x27 ; s Laurel Canyon neighborhood Billy DeVerell 's girlfriend and the leaseholder of the suggested! Suggests robbing Nash 's home their contact with Holmes although she was his girlfriend though! Attack, although she was his girlfriend, though he was 20 older... I flew in from I believe I was in Tahoe with Liberace, he says and revenge had! 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A Grave Easton True crime Donovan Graphic Image in Hollywood More information but died 1988. Lives in Bedford, Texas also known as: barbara.richardson.39 Animal Rescue Clarkstown School... A part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically removed had never touched drugs until I Liberace! Me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says in prison and promised to drugs...
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