She was later unable to identify her attackers. 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. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. She narrowly survived the Wonderland murders, being beaten so badly that she could not remember anything about the incident. On June 29, 1981, the Wonderland Gang, comprising Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, David Lind, Tracy McCourt, 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". CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT CANDLES HAVE BEEN LIT, We are reviewing your submission. Grief Support. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern IL, PanCan.org, or First United Presbyterian Church Building Fund. 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 . The scene: By the 1980s, Laurel Canyon had been transformed from a center of creativity and hippie lifestyles to a center for heavy drug distribution, including that favorite of the entertainment industry: cocaine. 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. As a result, she suffered permanent amnesia and had a part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically removed. A day or two later, Holmes gave a compressed, but similar account of what happened to Sellers, she told The Times. 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. 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. 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. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. 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. . 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. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. John Holmes was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in March 1982, after his handprint was found in one of the bedrooms. He said he was told he would be killed and people in the book would be killed if (Holmes) didnt do what (Nash) wanted. . One woman survived the attack. Susan wasnt exactly innocent, but you could say she was a bystander caught up in the horror that would unfold hours after she arrived at Wonderland. 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. . Basically, he said, Im going to have to run, Sharon Holmes recalled, And I said, Youre going to have to tell me. . He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. For others, its just a dead end. There are other suspects that we feel are involved. 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. 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. Sign up for service and obituary updates. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. 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. 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. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Court records and pllice statements indicated two of the four victims were under prosecution for dealing in cocaine, heroin and Quaaludes. , money, salary, income, and assets. She would survive her wounds. Short seems to have been a drifter. 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. Miss Miller's shiny white 1969 Mercedes 280 SL was used to deliver narcotics to her customers, detectives said. . 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. They enjoyed a 56 year union until Mr. Launius passed away on January 29, 2003. Leave a memory or share a photo or video below to show your support. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. 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. The house at 8763 Wonderland Avenue was well-known in the neighborhood, and for all the wrong reasons. Roland Edward Launius - Obituary & Service Details. Provo City Cemetery 610 S State St, Provo, UT 84606. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . Susan Bell Launius, nee Haywood, 70, of Belleville died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. 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". Theres somebody out there who wants to kill me, Holmes told Sharon, his wife of 16 years. John C. Holmes, the worlds premier pornographic film star, sobbed as he sat in a steaming bathtub early one morning in July, 1981. In their comfortable Los Feliz dwelling, constructed in 1922 and situated near the crest of a hill. '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. The fourth victim, Billy DeVerell as he died on the floor of the 3rd floor bedroom. 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. He has had a long career as a journalist and communications specialist with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. 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. The address: South Norton Avenue. Search by Name. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. There is no photo or video of Susan Miller-Preciado.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. Less-lucky losers might wind up at the bottom of a lake. . From Crime Stories to Our Place in the Universe: Mysteries Exist for Us to Solve. 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? 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. Charlie and Watson tied the LaBiancas up, convincing the couple theyd be safe if they cooperated. He is survived by : his children, William Launius Jr. (Joan) of Millstadt and Lori Harris (Ken) of Waterloo; and his grandchildren, William "Trey" Launius III, Kasey Launius, Hunter Harris, Carter Harris, Tanner Harris and Cooper Harris. You could hit the lofty heights of stardom, like Tom Cruise. Charlie told the driver to head to Los Feliz, with which he was familiar after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. But Sharon Holmes and Jeanna Sellers insist that it is true. 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. 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 wood-shingled house only two blocks from the scene of the killings. Officers made casts of the victims' wounds to help determine the weapon or weapons used in the attack. But the coke wasnt free, and he owed money all over town. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. 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. He was predeceased by : his wife Susan; his parents, Carl and Fern; his sister Nancy; and his brother-in-law Darwin Kraft. 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. The armed intruders robbed Nash and his 300-pound body guard, Gregory Diles, of $10,000, two plastic sacks of cocaine and other property. Holmes spent a good portion of his days (and nights) partying with the Wonderland crew. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. 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. After a key witness for the prosecution died in an unrelated police shootout, the murder charges against Launius were dropped. With St. Clair County COVID mandate in place, guests will be required to wear masks and the maximum number of 50 guests will allow for proper social distancing. The moans that the moving company had heard had been from her. So,, Whether its a whodunnit story, a bank heist, or an unsolved problem of science, we love a good mystery. The grotesque mass murder shocked and horrified the entire neighborhood. One is more often committed by men, the other, women. The 43-year-old actor died as a result of complications arising from his infection with the AIDS virus. It was a beautiful morning in Los Angeles, another in a virtually unbroken string of glorious, sunny midwinter days. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. (John) was so much of a liar . Bill was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. We will update Susan Launius's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. 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. How did Shorts body end up in this strange residential environment, seven miles and seven days away from. No charges have ever been filed in the Black Dahlia case, but that hasnt stopped people from confessing. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William E. Launius Sr. (Belleville, Illinois), who passed away on March 14, 2021, at the age of 77, leaving to mourn family and friends. It was in prison that David Lind met Ron Launius. Confoundingly, after all these years we still havent been able to close the book on this investigation. Special thanks to Hospice of Southern IL for their care and compassion. Location of the so-called 5th victim, Susan Launius was found at the foot of her husband's bed. Finally, he replied: The murders . In essence, what they wanted him to do was . It almost worked. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Three grisly murder cases spread across the 20th century have come to define Los Angeles and Hollywood as a town of shadows more than sunlight. Susan Bell Launius. Mrs. Launius moved to Bloomfield, Missouri, where she met the love of her life, Kent A. Launius. He was never convicted of the Wonderland murders. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. John Holmes, who was tried for and acquitted of the crimes, never told his wife the names of the assailants, she said. Share Obituary. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. 'We have interviewed her but we're not going to say anything about it.'. Police sources said Vlick, who is charged with plssessing drugs and stolen property, is a 'fringe guy' in organized crime circles. Or you could climb the literal heights of the Hollywood sign, as. He is not dating anyone. Perhaps the most horrifying sight was Launius's wife, Susan. Susan Launius 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. Write your message of sympathy today. . Los Angeles and Hollywood, L.A.s evanescent city within the city casts a long shadow for strivers and dreamers. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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