Los Angeles and Hollywood, L.A.s evanescent city within the city casts a long shadow for strivers and dreamers. Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. In the summer of 1981, Sharon Holmes said, she and John Holmes were living together as the managers of a small Glendale apartment complex. Once you find the obituary you are looking for, you can get important information about upcoming services, share a favorite photo or memory, and send flowers or gifts to the family. Bill was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. As the 1980s began, and Holmes became more heavily involved in cocaine, his absences grew longer. Susan. She would survive her wounds. So Holmes summoned his wife into the bathroom, drew steaming water into the tub, slipped in, and began to talk. Though many questions about Shorts final weeks in Los Angeles have been answered, the circumstances of her demise and the post-mortem mutilation of her corpse are yet unknown. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. By light, four people Ron Launius, his accomplice Billy DeVerell, Billys girlfriend Joy Miller, and Barbara Richardson lay dead in the house. She narrowly survived the Wonderland murders, being beaten so badly that she could not remember anything about the incident. Kevin Martin is Senior Writer for MagellanTV. Later she worked with her husband at Launius Marketing. Though she presented herself as an aspiring actress, no evidence exists of any actions to back up that claim. Based on the material given to us by John Holmes (for the book), that version of the facts is not an accurate one, Eisenman said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. No visits to agents, no casting call appearances, no registration in acting classes have been discovered. 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. For a much deeper examination of the twisted world of Charles Manson and his infamous band of followers, take a look at. When Holmes returned to his car hours later, two armed men ordered him to drive to Nashs home, he said. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. 1969: The Manson Family Killing Spree; Night 2 Rosemary and Leno LaBianca. Funeral: 10:00am Friday August 15, 2014 at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville IL. They all took part in the constant cocaine transactions and, violating the first rule of drug dealers not to get high on their own supply, they were all users too. Because they tease our, Start your 14-day trial of MagellanTV and get access to 2,000+ documentaries, available anywhere, on any device, For some, Los Angeles is an endless highway to success. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. She is the sole survivor of the brutal Wonderland attack the night of July 1, 1981; she suffered severe head injuries, amnesia, and a severed finger following the attack. She was later unable to identify her attackers. Face of Ron Launius (May 18, 1944 - July 1, 1981) Ronald Lee "Ron" Launius was the leader of the Wonderland Gang, a squad of drug dealers that operated out of a dope house at 8763 Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon section of Los Angeles, California, moving large amounts of cocaine and small amounts of heroin. When one of Nashs bodyguards spotted Holmes wearing a ring that had been purloined that night, the whole thing fell apart. It fell to neighborhood housewife Betty Bersinger, walking with her three-year-old this January morning, to make the gruesome discovery. He is not dating anyone. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. She worked in real estate for over 25 years and was a member of the Belleville Board of Realtors. Provo City Cemetery 610 S State St, Provo, UT 84606. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 21, 1945 - And what fiendish sadist could have inflicted such pain prior to her death, and then carefully exsanguinated the corpse, washed her thoroughly, and carved her in two? It almost worked. The Black Dahlia murder, the Manson Family spree, and the Wonderland killings are each crimes of their era with resonance that reaches to today. Location of the so-called 5th victim, Susan Launius was found at the foot of her husband's bed. For some, Los Angeles is an endless highway to success. There were three years during the past century when it seems L.A. was spotlighted by the bad moon of especially notorious crimes. He has had a long career as a journalist and communications specialist with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. And with overnight lows in the 40s, theres no chance of slipping on treacherous, ice-slick streets. Neighbors in the canyon, where a conversation at night can be overheard blocks away, said they were used to rowdy, all-night parties in the house. 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. Perhaps the most horrifying sight was Launius's wife, Susan. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Remarks by neighbors in the trendy, secluded area above the Sunset Strip and court records revealed the occupants of the stucco house on Wonderland Avenue lived in Southern California's 'fast lane' -- a lifestyle surrounded by drugs, flashy cars and trouble with police. Laurel Canyon had its share of free-spirited, drug-friendly residents, but had never seen this level of violence and brutality. . Above all, she was a fun-loving "Gram and enjoyed spoiling and spending time with her grandchildren. John C. Holmes, the worlds premier pornographic film star, sobbed as he sat in a steaming bathtub early one morning in July, 1981. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. Another victim, William DeVerell, 44, who lived at the house, had an arrest record in the 1950s, mostly for narcotics but had not been arrested in the recent case. After all, there are reasons the mythical Boulevard of Broken Dreams is said to slice through the heart of Hollywood. Prosecutors charge that Nash, then a wealthy nightclub owner, ordered the murders . And yet, virtually since its founding as an entertainment capital of the world, misfortune and misadventure have stalked far more of its denizens than Dame Fortune has smiled upon. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. . 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. Gov. Click or call (800) 729-8809, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Basically, he said, Im going to have to run, Sharon Holmes recalled, And I said, Youre going to have to tell me. . She was an associate of the Wonderland Gang, hanging around the Wonderland apartment, where she was savagely beaten by criminals with lead pipes on the night of 1 July 1981. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 69 years old? . Although he was often away from home, I was his safe place, Sharon Holmes said. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. Together, the womens descriptions of what Holmes told them largely corroborate the Los Angeles Police Departments theory of what happened on Wonderland Avenue. A gate was unlocked, and Holmes walked up the stairs to the entrance with the gunmen concealed behind him. John Holmes recounted how he led three thugs to the tightly secured drug house on Wonderland Avenue, escorted them in, and stood by as they bludgeoned the five people inside, spattering Holmes with blood. Write your message of sympathy today. The 43-year-old actor died as a result of complications arising from his infection with the AIDS virus. For a time, John Holmes was silent. He was born on April 10, 1930 in Bloomfield, MO. 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. 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. But the coke wasnt free, and he owed money all over town. Add a Memory. They were married on May 26, 1946. At least two of the four people beaten to death at the yellow two-story house in rustic Laurel Canyon had narcotics records and the blonde woman who rented the house delivered drugs in her shiny white Mercedes, court records indicated Friday. In the years following the Wonderland murders, McCourt was reported to have moved to Colorado. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. The fourth victim, Billy DeVerell as he died on the floor of the 3rd floor bedroom. Holmes slept fitfully for a few hours, Sharon Holmes said, and moaned about blood and pain. Breaking into Hollywood And Breaking Apart, Doing Harm: Doctors Who Murder and Maim Their Patients, Jim Jones: The Twisted Story of the Man behind the Jonestown Massacre. Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com. Send Flowers. Susan Launius was born on 1951. He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. That version of the story, Sharon Holmes said, is fiction. She enjoyed bowling, cross-stitching, and shopping. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. September 29, 1943 - Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern IL, PanCan.org, or First United Presbyterian Church Building Fund. Let others know about your loved one's death. Holmes was quickly spirited away to Nashs house and beaten until he revealed all his secrets. Less-lucky losers might wind up at the bottom of a lake. At 71 years old, Susan Launius height not available right now. A visitor to the house, Susan Launius, couldnt have known what the neighbors thought, though it was where her husband Ronald spent most of his time. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Loud music and constant commotion marked it as a benighted residence, and the impact on the area was undeniable. In 1981, at Launius' behest, Lind traveled to Los Angeles to join the Wonderland gang and assist them in running drugs. He is a member of famous with the age 71 years old group. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Roland Edward Launius - Obituary & Service Details. Nash was separately convicted of cocaine possession and served about two years in state prison. did in 1932, peering over the edge at the expanse of Los Angeles as you prepare to leap to your undying infamy. But why are mysteries so endlessly fascinating? (Image Credit: Wikimedia). Holmes told his wife that he was held against a wall, at gunpoint, while the three men beat to death Launius, 37; William DeVerell, 42; Joy Audrey Miller, 46; and Barbara Richardson, 22. he didnt know what the truth was anymore; about himself, about anything, Sellers said. Launius was married in November 1954 to the love of his life, Cecelia Irene Rutkoski from Marlin, TX. Long-lost ship found at the bottom of Lake Huron, confirming story of tragic collision, TikTok to set default daily time limit of up to 60 minutes for minors, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, 19 cafes that make L.A. a world-class coffee destination, Jaguars, narcos, illegal loggers: One mans battle to save a Guatemalan jungle and Maya ruins, TikTok faces bans in a number of countries over security fears. A visitor to the house, Susan Launius, couldnt have known what the neighbors thought, though it was where her husband Ronald spent most of his time. He said that (Nash) told him if he ever talked to the police that (Nash) would kill someone in his family. The detective added that Holmes said he was there when the murders happened, but that he himself did not hurt anyone.. Lt. Ron Lewis discounted speculation that the slayings could be 'random killings' such as the Tate-LaBianca murders committed by the Manson Family in 1969. The overnight discovery of the bodies of Sharon Tate and her friends at the Benedict Canyon home she shared with husband Roman Polanski was all over the next days news. 09/14/1943 - 08/10/2014 . On July 1, 1981, around 3 am, the occupants would come under attack. Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville, Ill., born Sept 14, 1943, in Belleville, Ill., died Sunday Aug. 10, 2014, at her residence, surrounded by her husband and children. Holmes told his wife that he rode with three armed men to the address on Wonderland Avenue. Or you could climb the literal heights of the Hollywood sign, as Peg Entwistle did in 1932, peering over the edge at the expanse of Los Angeles as you prepare to leap to your undying infamy. . charles carl roberts iv obituary; list the way values can determine leadership; assign the proper even parity bit for 1010; taurus horoscope 2022 cosmopolitan; i forgot for a moment poem; billings senior high football radio. there just isnt enough clear evidence to point to any one suspect in particular. The LAPD estimates that over the years theyve received more than 500 confessions that have all been proven false. (John) was so much of a liar . Susan A. Murphy Launius, 30, while not an official member of the gang, was married to gang member Ron Launius and had a drug habit. Two days later, Coen alleged that Holmes, acting on Nashs orders, led the killers to the Wonderland Avenue address and then helped murder the occupants. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. . 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. Let others know about your loved one's death. James M. Eisenman, a Century City attorney who represents Holmes estate and his second wife, said he doubts Sharon Holmes story. Launius was known for remaining composed under pressure. It determined that he was an unwilling participant who was forced to watch the attack. No charges have ever been filed in the Black Dahlia case, but that hasnt stopped people from confessing. 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. 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. Ronald S. Coen, now a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, argued that the fatal beatings were intended to avenge the humiliating armed robbery of Los Angeles nightclub owner Adel Nasrallah, also known as Eddie Nash. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. He said, I had to stand there and watch what they did, Sharon Holmes recalled. He said, They stuck a gun to my head and they made me go back in (to the Wonderland Avenue house) and open the door. Thats what he told me. Susan Launius, who lay wounded with severe head injuries for hours before being discovered in the house by neighbors last July 1, testified during Holmes' preliminary hearing that she could. 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