In the years following the Wonderland murders, McCourt was reported to have moved to Colorado. A witness testified that Nash ordered Holmes to execute a plan for payback and then some. We are sad to announce that on December 23, 2018, at the age of 73, Susan Miller-Preciado (Provo, Utah), born in Rupert, Idaho passed away. 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 grotesque mass murder shocked and horrified the entire neighborhood. Launius, 36, was a Vietnam Veteran who had been dishonorably discharged after the Air Force discovered he had been smuggling heroin back to the states from overseas in the body bags of deceased servicemen.Married to his second wife Susan, Launius was basically on a crime spree throughout most of the 1970s including one incident in Mexico where . Funeral, time pending, Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Belleville. He was born on April 10, 1930 in Bloomfield, MO. In the weeks before the killings, Coen told the jurors, Holmes ferried property stolen by the Wonderland Avenue gang to Nashs heavily secured home in Studio City, where he exchanged it for drugs. Let others know about your loved one's death. Above all, she was a fun-loving "Gram and enjoyed spoiling and spending time with her grandchildren. Roland Edward Launius was born on March 17, 1926 in Bauxite, AR (although the family home of John R. and Ora Ophelia Launius was in El Dorado). There are, however, plenty more stories, to be sure, and theyll continue as long as young people are seduced by the allure of Los Angeles, seeking the fruition of their own dreams . At Holmes murder trial, Tomlinson testified that Holmes told him that after the robbery had occurred at Ed Nashs house, that Nash had made (Holmes) tell him who the people were that robbed him. . Finally, he replied: The murders . Write your message of sympathy today. 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. Then Manson left to return to the getaway car and sent in the other executioners, cautioning them to make certain each of them had an equal share in the gore. Edmund Brown Jr. owns a house about a mile from the scene of the murders. The LAPD estimates that over the years theyve received more than 500 confessions that have all been proven false. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 375,000 families a year. Location of the so-called 5th victim, Susan Launius was found at the foot of her husband's bed. 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. , neither was she a prostitute. 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. He was never convicted of the Wonderland murders. So,, Whether its a whodunnit story, a bank heist, or an unsolved problem of science, we love a good mystery. 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. She was a wonderful mother, aunt, and dear friend. If the LaBiancas were spooked by the grisly events of the previous night, they werent concerned enough to lock their back door. Comfort the family with flowers or a sympathy gift. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. Click or call (800) 729-8809, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Atty. They forcefully followed his barbaric plan. 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. For others, its just a dead end. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. John Holmes was arrested and charged with four counts of murder in March 1982, after his handprint was found in one of the bedrooms. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Visitation: 4 8pm Thursday August 14, 2014 at Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home, Belleville IL, and 9 10am Friday August 15, 2014 at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville IL. Though she presented herself as an aspiring actress, no evidence exists of any actions to back up that claim. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. In the summer of 1981, Sharon Holmes said, she and John Holmes were living together as the managers of a small Glendale apartment complex. 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. Perhaps youd be discovered, like Brad Pitt; or perhaps youd be discovered buried in a pit. Prosecutors charge that Nash, then a wealthy nightclub owner, ordered the murders . Theres somebody out there who wants to kill me, Holmes told Sharon, his wife of 16 years. The LAPD estimates that over the years theyve received. By light, four people Ron Launius, his accomplice Billy DeVerell, Billys girlfriend Joy Miller, and Barbara Richardson lay dead in the house. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. from the masses of young, aimless drifters who had descended upon the West Coast in the late 1960s, entranced by the supposedly good vibes of a scene populated with other young people, hippies, and freaks not to mention, crooks and hustlers peddling free love and other illusions. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. . 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. Cecelia passed away on January 22, 2012, and is buried in Marlin, TX. William "Bill" Edward Launius Sr., 77, of Belleville, born in East St. Louis on September 29, 1943, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Cedarhurst in Waterloo IL, with his children by his side. 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. Here are four who, Over 900 people died gruesomely at Jonestown, a symbol of doomsday cults. With over 1,900 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 400,000 families a year. to the late Clyde and Jottie Williams Launius. 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. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. he married Edith Morris Launius who preceded him in death on May 30, 2013. The Black Dahlia murder, the Manson Family spree, and the Wonderland killings are each crimes of their era with resonance that reaches to today. for better and for worse. A day or two later, Holmes gave a compressed, but similar account of what happened to Sellers, she told The Times. Find the obituary of Susan Miller-Preciado (1945 - 2018) from Provo, UT. 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. Add a Memory. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. Nash was separately convicted of cocaine possession and served about two years in state prison. Funeral: 10:00am Friday August 15, 2014 at First United Presbyterian Church, Belleville IL. Holmes told his wife that he rode with three armed men to the address on Wonderland Avenue. 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. So, Nash became the target of a harebrained idea. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. As Betty strolled past lots both finished and untouched, she saw what first looked like a mannequin splayed near the sidewalk. Although he was often away from home, I was his safe place, Sharon Holmes said. 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. . '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 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. (77 years old). Short seems to have been a drifter. Court records and pllice statements indicated two of the four victims were under prosecution for dealing in cocaine, heroin and Quaaludes. And with overnight lows in the 40s, theres no chance of slipping on treacherous, ice-slick streets. Susan Launius was born on 1951. After all, there are reasons the mythical Boulevard of Broken Dreams is said to slice through the heart of Hollywood. Visitation: Friends may call Monday June 6, 2011 from 5-8 pm, at First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Road, Belleville, IL 62223. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. Rosemary and Leno LaBianca were brutally murdered in their Los Feliz home by members of the Manson Family in 1969. As we pull away from the streets of Los Feliz in our time-traveling tour bus, lets offer a little prayer for the LaBiancas and all the others whose lives were snuffed or derailed by their connection with Charles Manson. It almost worked. 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. Los Angeles and Hollywood, L.A.s evanescent city within the city casts a long shadow for strivers and dreamers. But Nash had a sneaking suspicion about his friend Johnny Wadd, who had visited the home only hours before the robbery. Holmes was quickly spirited away to Nashs house and beaten until he revealed all his secrets. Sign up for service and obituary updates. Joy Audrey Miller, 46, who rented the house, had a record of six arrests -- three for peddling dope -- and had been under surveillance since Jan. 7, 1980, by narcotics officers who saw her selling drugs in front of the house at least eight times, affidavits said. 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. 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. Holmes slept fitfully for a few hours, Sharon Holmes said, and moaned about blood and pain. , money, salary, income, and assets. But we have more depraved murders to investigate in this ghastly, time-traveling tour of Hollywood-Land. (Image Credits: [left] The Sun UK; [right] IMDB). Susan Launiuss income source is mostly from being a successful . Filicide is the act of a parent killing their child. Haltingly, Holmes confessed to his wife that he had played a central role in four brutal murders earlier that month in a drug dealers hillside home in Laurel Canyon. After a key witness for the prosecution died in an unrelated police shootout, the murder charges against Launius were dropped. Unfortunately, thats not always the case. 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? 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. Ronald Launius had a kind of second family there in Laurel Canyon, a cohort that included friends, accomplices, and hangers-on. 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. For a much deeper examination of the twisted world of Charles Manson and his infamous band of followers, take a look at The Family: Inside the Manson Cult on MagellanTV. . 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. Only Susan Launius survived, but her severe head injuries caused her to be unable to recall anything of the attacks. . The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. No visits to agents, no casting call appearances, no registration in acting classes have been discovered. 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. (Image Credit: Wikimedia). 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. Send Flowers. The house at 8763 Wonderland Avenue was well-known in the neighborhood, and for all the wrong reasons. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. 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. She was later unable to identify her attackers. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. She worked in real estate for over 25 years and was a member of the Belleville Board of Realtors. Sympathy Ideas. 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. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com. Send a note, share a story or upload a photo. 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. Susan. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". It was in prison that David Lind met Ron Launius. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Police, however, believe that Holmes actually took part in the fatal beatings. . He said he was told he would be killed and people in the book would be killed if (Holmes) didnt do what (Nash) wanted. Charlie told the driver to head to Los Feliz, with which he was familiar after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. Your entry has exceeded the maximum character limit. COVID origins? For example, we know that Short lied to her family back East about her career ambitions. John Holmes himself never offered a public account of what happened on that July night. You knew these people.. John Holmes, who was tried for and acquitted of the crimes, never told his wife the names of the assailants, she said. No charges have ever been filed in the Black Dahlia case, but that hasnt stopped people from confessing. fishing with canned anchovies; pros and . 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. Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home & Valhalla Gardens, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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? Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 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. She was a wonderful mother, aunt, and dear friend. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. 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