[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. [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. This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 15:57. They proceeded to beat John Holmes. I dont know why they couldnt give him a longer prison term but they should have. Nash died in 2014. 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. Launius, DeVerell, McCourt, and Lind had invaded the home of Eddie Nash, a known organized crime boss, and nightclub owner. 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. (Nash had befriended Holmes because of Holmes' notoriety as the porn film phenomenon Johnny Wadd.) Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. Join Facebook to connect with Brbara Richardson and others you may know. All of this is told through competing versions of the story related to a pair of grim-faced homicide detectives (Ted Levine and Franky G.) by Holmes and by David Lind (Dylan McDermott), a glowering ex-convict who participated in the robbery and escaped Nash's revenge. 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. Find 55 people named Barbara Richardson along with free Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok search on PeekYou - true people search. : Launiuss wife Susan was gravely injured and is the only known survivor of the attack. 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. Richardson's official autopsy report documented that she possessed intravenous drug injection site scars.[12]. In 2001, he reportedly had been wanted by the Colorado Springs Police Department for "assault with a deadly weapon and failure to comply on the original charge of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance". The film stars Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Dylan McDermott, Carrie Fisher, Lisa Kudrow, Josh Lucas, Christina Applegate, Tim Blake Nelson, and Janeane Garofalo. LA Medical Examiner's autopsy report, 81-8538, conducted immediately after the Wonderland Murders. Just days after the attack, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the murders and searched the house for evidence. 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. See the article in its original context from. Thorson remembers hearing the news of Nashs sentencing in October 2001. 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. Confidential,'' but it is really more ''Boogie Nights.'' 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. He is from . The Wonderland murders happened on July 1, 1981, when the killer (s) stepped in the Wonderland Gang's den without any sign of breaking and entering, as the Los Angeles Times tells us. 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. Hes seen some things. 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. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. The weapons used by the killers were believed to be a combination of hammers and metal pipes. 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. Well it's only the beginning baby L.A. in the summer anything could happen right. Ron Launius, 37, Billy DeVerell, 44, Joy Miller, 46, and Barbara Richardson, 22, all died in the 1981 massacre. I have to be honest, if I could catch him in a lie, that would have added entertainment value to the podcast. In addition, she runs an annual bowling fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.[3]. Victim two, Ron Launius was bludgeoned to death on his bed. While the Wonderland murders still remain unsolved to this day, many of those who were connected in some way are no longer living. 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. Drug gang in Los Angeles (1970's & 1980's), Not to be confused with the Wonderland Club, an online child pornography ring busted by, Cass Paley, quotation in the director's cut of. In the early morning hours of July 1, 1981 an unknown number of male assailants had entered the home. We will update Barbara Richardson's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. These people, known as the Wonderland Gang, included Ron Launius and his wife Susan, Billy Deverell, Lind's 22-year-old girlfriend Barbara Richardson, and Joy Miller. Barbara Richardson's net worth I knew that Nash was dangerous and that if he could get a chance to kill me, he would.. According to our Database, He has no children. Mr. Holmes died in 1988 of an illness related to AIDS, and Mr. Diles died in 1995. Trending. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Her latest book is Wish, a middle grade novel published by FSG. Diles died in 1995. 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. Available on Amazon and our website. [5][11] Holmes claimed this did nothing to reduce her opiate usage. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Holmes had entered the home while the doors were unlocked. 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. Following the robbery, Holmes ended up back at Nash's home. Jurors in Mr. Nash's first trial, in 1990, deadlocked 11-1 in favor of conviction; and the federal authorities now say the hold-out juror, a woman who at the time was 18 years old, was paid a bribe on May 15, 1990, by an associate of Mr. Nash. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. Hed been robbed at gunpoint two days before. Mr. Nash was believed to have figured out Mr. Holmes's role, forced him to reveal the robbers' identities and help in the killings. 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. Prior to the murders, five people resided in the home: Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, DeVerrels girlfriend Joy Audrey Gold Miller, Tracy McCourt and David Lind. All five occupants were known for dealing drugs while using themselves. In Mr. Cox's film the particulars of the crime -- five people attacked with lead pipes in a house in Laurel Canyon, four of them fatally -- remain in some doubt, as does the extent of Holmes's responsibility. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. I flew in from I believe I was in Tahoe with Liberace, he says. 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. On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. Barbara Richardson As a result, Launius, Miller, DeVerrel, and Barbara Richardson (the girlfriend of David Lind) were killed. 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"). [5] Neither Lind nor McCourt was present for the attack, as Lind was consuming drugs with a prostitute in the San Fernando Valley, and McCourt was at his own home. Stamford Hungry Scarecrow Ltd Scarborough catering college.. The four men had broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home. All Rights reserved. "[4] On Metacritic it has a score of 43% based on reviews from 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Barbara works at Animal Rescue. Launius wife, Susan, had also been badly bludgeoned but survived with severe head injuries. 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. 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. [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"). [21][22] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure.[23]. One of Nashs bodyguards was seriously injured as a result of a gunshot. 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 case sounds like something out of ''L.A. 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. One witness named Scott Thorson (who was best known as a partner of famous musician Liberace) stopped by the house to purchase drugs. The story eventually moves on to two city detectives investigating the crime, Sam Nico and Louis Cruz, and their contact with Holmes. The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is no doubt one of the most extravagant theatres in the world. As First Lady of New Mexico, she formed the New Mexico Immunizations Coalition in April 2003. 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. Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell,. She is also the New Mexico chairperson of Read Across America. 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. On the afternoon of July 1, 1981, Los Angeles police responded to a distress call on Wonderland Avenue and discovered a grisly quadruple homicide. Barbara Easton Richardson. When he learns that Holmes knows notorious gangster Eddie Nash, he gives Holmes a pair of stolen antique guns to take to Nash, so that Nash can fence them and the Wonderland Gang can split the loot. I could hear the furniture flying. Diles died in 1997 from liver failure. 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. He spent considerable time in the Colorado prison system, but when he was free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise. Thorson testified against Nash in 1990, telling the jury Nash had ordered Holmes to take Diles to recover his drugs and money. 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 We were freebasing, and he was right. Mr. Holmes was accused of playing a role in both crimes and being the link between the two camps. 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. All I can say is what I've said for the last 20 years. 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". 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. Nash and Diles faced a mistrial in 1990, and were acquitted in 1991. Aside from their drug dealings, some of the occupants were known for committing robberies and burglaries throughout Los Angeles. The home at one point was up for rent for the price of $3,000 a month. He is currently single. 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. In 2001, he reportedly had been wanted by the Colorado Springs Police Department for "assault with a deadly weapon and failure to comply on the original charge of distribution of a Schedule II controlled substance". Ron Launius 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. David Lind testified in the preliminary hearing for John Holmes in 1982 that Miller and Richardson attended the planning meetings of the Nash robbery. The Wonderland murders have been the subject of movies, books, and, of course, podcasts. Following the robbery, Holmes ended up back at Nash's home. 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. Rather than return the guns to Holmes, Nash keeps them for himself.
