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. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Mary, nee Bell, Haywood; a sister Mary Jane Haywood; and a sister-in-law Nancy Kraft. Biography Susan A. Murphy married Ron Launius in Carson City, Nevada on 16 April 1971, and the two of them were heavy drug users. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. . In 1981, at Launius' behest, Lind traveled to Los Angeles to join the Wonderland gang and assist them in running drugs. 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. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. Star-struck seekers could end up on top of the heap. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. The news coverage of the brutal Benedict Canyon murders was disturbing to them, and Rosemary had retired to their bedroom while her husband stayed up reading the paper. Holmes would visit Nash at his home in Studio City and quietly leave a sliding backdoor ajar, through which the Launius crew would later (after Holmes departed) invade the house and relieve Nash of vast quantities of drugs and other valuables. One was abruptly interrupted on the morning of July 1, 1981, when a shaken John Holmes crawled into their Glendale bedroom, bleeding, and told his wife that he had been in an accident. He said, I had to stand there and watch what they did, Sharon Holmes recalled. to tell them who it was, Sharon Holmes said. In their comfortable Los Feliz dwelling, constructed in 1922 and situated near the crest of a hill, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca relaxed uneasily at the end of their Saturday. And following that, why was she transported there, posed like a cheesecake model, with a ghoulish smile cut into her cheeks, and left to be discovered, causing revulsion and terror? You could hit the lofty heights of stardom, like Tom Cruise. If the LaBiancas were spooked by the grisly events of the previous night, they werent concerned enough to lock their back door. Januarys in L.A. arent like those of, say, Boston, where young Elizabeth Short hailed from. They enjoyed a 56 year union until Mr. Launius passed away on January 29, 2003. Make a life-giving gesture. Then, reeling from the shock of seeing a nude and clearly tortured, bisected body, Betty covered her daughters eyes and ran to the nearest neighbors home to phone the police. (John) was so much of a liar . 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? She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, William Launius Sr.; her son William (Joan) Launius Jr. of Millstadt; her daughter Lori (Ken) Harris of Waterloo; her grandchildren William Trey Launius III, Kasey Launius, Hunter Harris, Carter Harris, Tanner Harris, and Cooper Harris; brother-in-law Darwin Kraft; beloved nieces Lisa (Craig) DeBeaumont, Rebecca (Art) Fudge, beloved nephews Todd Kraft, and Karl Eric (Sue) Kraft, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, lifelong friend Theresa Painter, and many other friends. As Betty strolled past lots both finished and untouched, she saw what first looked like a mannequin splayed near the sidewalk. Coroner Thomas Noguchi said early autopsy results on the bodies found Wednesday -- 12 hours after the neighbors ignored the screams for mercy -- indicated the victims had been beaten to death. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. LAUNIUS, JUNE E. Flushing Age 90 of Flushing, died Thursday, June 21, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. Tragically, this merry band of druggies stumbled their way through life and into a bloodbath. The neighborhood: Laurel Canyon. 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. None other than larger-than-life porn star (and fulltime coke fiend) John Holmes, known professionally as Johnny Wadd. 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? dolan funeral home obituaries; beaver country day admissions; how long does lemon balm stay in your system; marlin 1894 tactical stock; brian henderson jr obituary; pasteurized milk ordinance 2021. kevin gates moroccan father; lexington plane crash 81 dead. Heres a list, Greek transportation minister resigns over train collision that killed at least 36, Ohios senators to unveil rail safety bill in wake of East Palestine derailment, After months of pounding, Ukrainian official says military may pull back from Bakhmut. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. In the still unpublished official version of his life, Holmes is quoted as saying that he was held at gunpoint at another house while the killers, whose names he did not know, went to the home on Wonderland Avenue. Select boxes below to reduce the number of results. He did not testify at his trial, and his later secret testimony before the Los Angeles County Grand Jury remains sealed. I know who did it.. Charlie and Watson tied the LaBiancas up, convincing the couple theyd be safe if they cooperated. 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. Its not like there is a shortage of theories on her murderer there just isnt enough clear evidence to point to any one suspect in particular. He said he was told he would be killed and people in the book would be killed if (Holmes) didnt do what (Nash) wanted. Funeral homes; Help and advice. Basically, he said, Im going to have to run, Sharon Holmes recalled, And I said, Youre going to have to tell me. . 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. The neighborhood: Los Feliz. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. March 14, 2021 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. The home invasion was successful, and Launiuss boys got away without being identified by Nash and his crew. Another woman who had a lengthy intimate relationship with Holmes told The Times recently of a separate, parallel admission made by the actor shortly after the killings, an account she gave to police in 1981. Officers made casts of the victims' wounds to help determine the weapon or weapons used in the attack. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 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. He went out of his life denying, said Sharon Holmes, (saying) I had no involvement., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Spain approves menstrual leave, teen abortion and trans laws. 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. They were married on May 26, 1946. She liked to go to concerts and enjoyed many types of music. Mrs. Launius enjoyed working on the gardens at her home, which she treasured. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. Would you like to offer Susan Miller-Preciados loved ones a condolence message? The LAPD estimates that over the years theyve received. Through his attorney, Nash has consistently denied any involvement in the Wonderland Avenue killings. LOS ANGELES -- The lone survivor of the massacre of four people in the swank Laurel Canyon home of an attractive blonde woman suspected of dealing in drugs was under a 24-hour hospital guard Friday as the star witness in the case. There was "a lot of screaming going. James M. Eisenman, a Century City attorney who represents Holmes estate and his second wife, said he doubts Sharon Holmes story. CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. 'When you're talking about the star witness in a case like this I think you can safely assume that we've got her pretty well guarded,' a pllice spokesman said. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 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. John Holmes was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in March 1982, after his handprint was found in one of the bedrooms. Her husband, Ron, 37, of the. There was a lot of screaming going on, Holmes told his wife. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. His predilection for cocaine colored his entire life, including his career. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. , money, salary, income, and assets. Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville, born in Belleville on 9-14-1943, died Sunday August 10, 2014 at her residence, surrounded by her husband and children.Susan was a lifelong member. after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. 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. Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville, born in Belleville on 9-14-1943, died Sunday August 10, 2014 at her residence, surrounded by her husband and children. Though she presented herself as an aspiring actress, no evidence exists of any actions to back up that claim. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. (73 years old). Charlie told the driver to head to Los Feliz, with which he was familiar after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. Holmes was acquitted in June 1982, after a three-week trial. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. According to her testimony shed never seen the residence before the day of June 30, 1981. John Holmes died of AIDS complications in 1988. He could not be reached for comment on the killings. John Holmes himself never offered a public account of what happened on that July night. Susan B. Launius. Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville, born in Belleville on 9-14-1943, died Sunday August 10, 2014 at her residence, surrounded by her husband and children. 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. Launius estranged wife, Susan, who was visiting, survived the assault but suffered severe head injuries. And the character that caused all this trauma? Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. She was found covered in blood on the floor next to the bed that held her dead husband's body, her skull bashed in but, miraculously, still alive. Ronnie Lee Launius Birth 18 May 1944 Death 1 Jul 1981 (aged 37) Los Angeles County, California, USA Burial Lodi Memorial Park and Cemetery Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. 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. As the wife of a drug dealer on the rise, she was protected from the gritty details of the life while enjoying its benefits for one, the money was great. 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. On July 1, 1981, around 3 am, the occupants would come under attack. ? It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website. Write your message of sympathy today. 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. They raised seven children: James Glenn and his wife, Vanneary, David Glenn, Christopher Glenn, Susan Carson, Frances Green, Albert and his wife, Cecile Glenn and Charles and . 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. For a time, John Holmes was silent. . Holmes told his wife that he rode with three armed men to the address on Wonderland Avenue. In the following decades, the Canyon has retained little of its innocent charm as professionals of all stripes have gentrified the neighborhood and tightened up its vibe. So Holmes summoned his wife into the bathroom, drew steaming water into the tub, slipped in, and began to talk. Lind and Launius had become friends while in prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release. These years 1947, 1969, and 1981 werent the only years of infamy in Hollywoods history, but each produced a memorable crime of the century though by L.A. standards, perhaps they were just the most notable crimes of their decades. there just isnt enough clear evidence to point to any one suspect in particular. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 21, 1945 - In a recent interview with The Times, Sharon Holmes, who divorced the late actor in 1984, described for the first time the story her husband told her less than three weeks after the July 1 killings. She was a wonderful mother, aunt, and dear friend. Only Susan Launius survived, but her severe head injuries caused her to be unable to recall anything of the attacks. 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"). Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. 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. He was one of 5 children born during the depression and times were hard. (77 years old). 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. She would survive her wounds. Atty. Less-lucky losers might wind up at the bottom of a lake. Title Image Credit: Izayah Ramos for Unsplash, We like to believe that doctors, nurses, and caregivers are trustworthy and have our best interests at heart. Charlie told the driver to head to. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The address: Wonderland Avenue. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Funeral, time pending, Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Belleville. 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. Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home & Valhalla Gardens, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. One is more often committed by men, the other, women. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. She was the only survivor of the Wonderland murders, although she suffered severe head injuries, amnesia, and a severed finger following the attack. Gov. You knew these people.. Its a miracle that, despite the thousands of hopeful souls who attempt to break in to the stardom proffered by the architects of Hollywoods dream factory, there arent more tragic tales of disheartened dreamers losing it all. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Star-struck seekers could end up on top of the heap. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, William Launius Sr.; her son William (Joan) Launius Jr. of Millstadt; her daughter Lori (Ken) Harris of Waterloo; her grandchildren William Trey Launius III, Kasey Launius, Hunter Harris, Carter Harris, Tanner Harris, and Cooper Harris; brother-in-law Darwin Kraft; beloved nieces Lisa (Craig) DeBeaumont, Rebecca (Art) Fudge, beloved nephews Todd Kraft, and Karl Eric (Sue) Kraft, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, lifelong friend Theresa Painter, and many other friends. Though she presented herself as an aspiring actress, no evidence exists of any actions to back up that claim. They forcefully followed his barbaric plan. Launius's wife Susan was gravely injured and is the only known survivor of the attack. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The day after the robbery, someone who knew Nash apparently spotted Holmes in Hollywood, wearing a piece of jewelry that had been stolen from Nashs home, he told his wife. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. 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. Police sources said Vlick, who is charged with plssessing drugs and stolen property, is a 'fringe guy' in organized crime circles. How did Shorts body end up in this strange residential environment, seven miles and seven days away from her last sighting? , neither was she a prostitute. He was born on April 10, 1930 in Bloomfield, MO. Susan Launius (1951-) was the girlfriend of Ron Launius and an associate of the Wonderland Gang. . Holmes spent a good portion of his days (and nights) partying with the Wonderland crew. 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? Sign the Guest Book. Click or call (800) 729-8809, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. For a much deeper examination of the twisted world of Charles Manson and his infamous band of followers, take a look at. Sign up for service and obituary updates. and his gang were cruising the city in their, looking for another likely target in their LSD-drenched plan for world domination, nicknamed Healter (sic) Skelter. He had been critical of the amateurishness of the night before, and he wanted to offer his death squad an opportunity to regain his approval. 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