But I think they deserve closure. 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. "[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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! I really did not kill anyone or have anything to do'' with Wonderland. The girlfriend of John Holmes, Dawn Schiller, is on the streets and picked up by a holy roller after Holmes leaves Schiller in a hotel room. However, he died in 1988. Ron Launius The fates of others allegedly involved in the Nash robbery or Wonderland attacks are: Any other assailants who might have participated in the bludgeoning attack on the Wonderland Gang have neither been identified nor prosecuted; their fate and whereabouts are unknown. 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. I have to be honest, if I could catch him in a lie, that would have added entertainment value to the podcast. | Mr. Nash's lawyer, Fred Rucker, did not return telephone calls. Holmes takes the guns to Nash, but Nash says the guns are too rare to be sold, as they would be recognized right away and everyone involved would be apprehended. So, how much is Barbara Richardson worth at the age of 71 years old? Mr. Lucas, playing the crown prince of the Laurel Canyon drug scene, is all nerves and teeth, showing some of the same sharp-faced ferocity he brought to ''A Beautiful Mind,'' in which he played John Nash's graduate-school rival. In retrospect, Thorson says he recognizes that Liberace took advantage of him. 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. And so there is this sense that no one was innocent in this crime., At the same time, Thorson, who is familiar with the struggle of addiction, points out that even a houseful of drug dealers deserves justice. Movies. Ron Launius, 37, Billy DeVerell, 44, Joy Miller, 46, and Barbara Richardson, 22, all died in the 1981 massacre. He said hed have them all on their knees, teach them a lesson, and that theyd never steal from him again, Thorson said on the stand. 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. According to our Database, He has no children. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He is currently single. Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. The police investigation that followed uncovered two versions of the events leading up to the brutal murders - both involving legendary porn actor John Holmes. The Wonderland murders were the subject of two Hollywood films. Since the event occurred in the early morning hours, no phone calls were made to the police until at least 12 hours after the fact. Nash was eventually sentenced to 37 months in prison after a RICO conviction that included conspiracy to commit the Wonderland murders, but no one who swung the blunt metal objects the pipes or the hammers was convicted. Source: [https://i.imgur.com/KesSu82.jpg]. 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 events that took place inside happened just 40 hours after Nash was robbed, and they were hardly muted. In addition, she runs an annual bowling fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.[3]. 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. https://allthatsinteresting.com/wonderland-murders, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-14-me-1912-story.html. Both Richardson and Lind were said to be police informants in the Sacramento area not long before they traveled to southern California. Unaware of Nashs illicit line of work, Liberace had, through Thorson, invested in some of the nightclubs Nash owned in L.A. at the time. Mr. Nash was believed to have figured out Mr. Holmes's role, forced him to reveal the robbers' identities and help in the killings. Available on Amazon and our website. [citation needed]. Barbara Richardson is on Facebook. Discover Barbara Richardson's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. After a key witness for the prosecution died in an unrelated police shootout, the murder charges against Launius were dropped. [3][4], Ronald Lee Launius [5] was a United States Air Force veteran of the Vietnam era, who had been dishonorably discharged and convicted of smuggling heroin from Vietnam back to the United States in the coffins of American service members. Ron Launius Holmes arrives at the apartment, and they have sex and snort cocaine in the bathroom. and studied at Clarkstown High School South. It is currently the last production to adapt the original stories (as Tim Burton's 2010 film was written as a sequel) and was first broadcast on NBC and then shown on British television on Channel 4. ''There was dope, porn, sex and drugs and organized crime, and John Holmes and all of these types of things that made it kind of a draw back then,'' said Tom Lange, a retired Los Angeles police detective who investigated the case, and who was later assigned to the O. J. Simpson case. Pin on Wonderland Murders, True Crime Explore Save From i.pinimg.com John Holmes Wonderland victim. Eddie Nash had died in 2014. Join Facebook to connect with Barbara Ann Richardson and others you may know. They were probably considered dirtbags and drug dealers and Who cares? he says. Barbara Richardson We found 100+ records for Barbara Richardson in SC, CA and 48 other states. The two of them became heavy drug users, later becoming police informants, and they travelled to Los Angeles in 1981 to join Ron Launius' Wonderland Gang. She currently lives in Asheville, NC. Barbara Richardson Owner of Hungryscarecrow, creators of clean label, gluten-free bread mixes. Thats what got me hooked, Thorson says. The murder victims belong to a group of addicts and small-time dealers whose endless, hectic parties gain a certain sleazy cachet from Holmes's presence. Barbara Lee Richardson was born in Sacramento, California in 1958, and she became the girlfriend of Aryan Brotherhood biker David Lind. 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. [citation needed], The two bedroom split-level house was leased in Joy Miller's name. 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. The killings occurred in an era of notorious Los Angeles criminals, including the Skid Row Slasher, the Hillside Strangler and the Night Stalker. He spent considerable time in the Colorado prison system, but when he was free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise. 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. Anyone can read what you share. Attempting to get back in the gang's good graces, Holmes suggests robbing 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. He has some bad press. 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. He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. Prior to his passing, the LAPD was still investigating the murders long after the trial of Holmes had ended. In the early morning hours of July 1, 1981 an unknown number of male assailants had entered the home. I want to come to Matt Damons defense, he says, unbidden, referring to a recent uproar around the actors use of a particular f-word. 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. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? [5] Another officer commented, upon hearing of Launius' death, "I suppose they won't need many pall bearers". 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. Holmes was accused of playing a role in both crimes and being the link between the two camps. All five occupants were known for dealing drugs while using themselves. [19] Holmes died on March 13, 1988, from AIDS complications in Los Angeles. | Ms. Kudrow plays Sharon Holmes, John's estranged wife, to whom he turns when things become really desperate. Launiuss wife Susan was gravely injured and is the only known survivor of the attack. "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). Gregory Diles would die in 1997. 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. Joy Miller was found dead in her bed, while DeVerell's body was slumped at the foot, leaning against the TV stand. 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. 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. [citation needed], Adult-entertainment legend John Holmes, famous at the time for his portrayal of the detective character Johnny Wadd in a series of pornographic films, was a frequent visitor who would purchase or scrounge cocaine from the gang. 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). 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. While you may not be able to get inside the home itself, dont be surprised if things start to feel a little eerie if you happen to be walking around Wonderland Avenue in Los Angeles. [5][11] Holmes claimed this did nothing to reduce her opiate usage. [10], Joy Audrey Gold Miller was Billy DeVerell's girlfriend and the leaseholder of the Wonderland townhouse. While there had been no arrests even to this day, the place still might be haunted with a spirit or two that may tell the story of what actually happened. 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. Holmes died on March 13, 1988, from AIDS complications in Los Angeles. I was just very young, I was very frightened. Barbara Easton Richardson. 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 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. 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". On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 34% based on 101 reviews. Browse 278 barbara richardson stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Lind and Launius had become friends while in prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release. [Police] would have to investigate it, but I think theres a couple people still alive.. Afterwards they took John Holmes out by the scruff of the neck, and they made him take [Diles] up to the Wonderland address where they then did the beatings and the killings. While the Wonderland murders still remain unsolved to this day, many of those who were connected in some way are no longer living. Their relationship is an enigma much deeper than all the grisly cop-show business: she clearly despises everything her husband has become but has never entirely abandoned him, perhaps clinging in vain to the hope that he may one day snap out of it. 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. [Liberace] then threw me out later because he said he created a monster., Liberace is also the reason Thorson found himself at the home of big-time L.A. drug dealer Eddie Nash in the wee hours of July 1st, 1981. Lind's position in the drug underworld was and remains murky due to allegations by rival drug dealers that he worked as a police informant. On June 29, 1981, the Wonderland Gang, comprising Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, David Lind, Tracy McCourt,[13] 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". Facebook gives people the. 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 autopsy performed after his murder identified numerous injection scars on his forearms, in addition to hyperplasia of the lymph nodes a common sign of narcotics abuse. Barbara Richardson Bedford, Texas Also known as: barbara.richardson.39 Animal Rescue Clarkstown High School South Barbara currently lives in Bedford, TX. [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. Mr. Holmes died in 1988 of an illness related to AIDS, and Mr. Diles died in 1995. [21][22] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure.[23]. | Hes seen some things. Drugs were regularly dealt from the residence at 8763 Wonderland Avenue in the Laurel Canyon area of Los Angeles. Barbara was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. After graduating from college, Richardson worked in outpatient services at Massachusetts General Hospital before meeting Bill Richardson. Looking for Barbara Richardson in Georgia? Following the robbery, Holmes ended up back at Nash's home. The wild details Thorson shares strain credulity. The case sounds like something out of ''L.A. 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