Barbara Lee Easton (married Walter Richardson in 1977 after graduating from Sacramento Cordova high school in 1976) Richardson, who was 22 at the time of her death, was associated with David Lind. 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. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. All the other characters in in the movie are psychologically transparent: they are addicts and criminals motivated by need, greed and revenge, but Ms. Kudrow, looking sorrowful and severe, remains tantalizingly opaque. [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"). [7], A California police officer described the blond, bearded Launius as "one of the coldest people I ever met". Neither Holmes nor any of the women are present when the robbery occurs. 1976 J John Weg 95 followers More information Wonderland victim. 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. While the Wonderland murders still remain unsolved to this day, many of those who were connected in some way are no longer living. In addition, she runs an annual bowling fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.[3]. He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. Also active in efforts to combat domestic violence, she helped to open a shelter for abused spouses in a corner of the state where such services had been nonexistent. Launius' wife, Susan, survived the attack, although she was left with permanent brain damage and lost part of one finger. 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. [14][15] 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. Holmes had entered the home while the doors were unlocked. He spent much of the last seven years there since a 2014 sentencing for credit card fraud and identity theft, actions driven by his longtime drug addiction. The four men had broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home. Recent examples include Paul Schrader's ''Auto Focus,'' in which the celebrity (and victim) was the ''Hogan's Heroes'' star Bob Crane, and Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato's ''Party Monster,'' in which the celebrity (who in real life pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter) was the New York club kid Michael Alig. 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. He spent considerable time in the Colorado prison system, but when he was free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Ms. Kudrow plays Sharon Holmes, John's estranged wife, to whom he turns when things become really desperate. Nash and Diles faced a mistrial in 1990, and were acquitted in 1991. 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. 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. 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. By the time Holmes had become involved with the group, Miller had been arrested seven times, been treated for breast cancer, and six months before had had a double mastectomy. It appeared to have been an interrogation of some kind, which may have lead to Holmes identifying some personal associates of his who were targeting Nash. As a result, she suffered permanent amnesia and had a part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically removed. The body of Barbara "Butterfly" Richardson, David Lind's girlfriend, was lying on the ground near the couch she had been sleeping on, covered in blood. Stamford Hungry Scarecrow Ltd Scarborough catering college.. After the sun came up, police found a bloody crime scene inside a house 8763 Wonderland Avenue, the known residence of the Wonderland Gang, a group of drug dealers. In his last days, it was reported that Holmes no longer wanted to cooperate with authorities regarding the murders. I'm Barbara Richardson, assistant general manager of customer service, communications and marketing at Metro. As First Lady of New Mexico, she formed the New Mexico Immunizations Coalition in April 2003. She claimed that John told her that he witnessed the murders after leading the apparent assailants inside the house and watched the murders occur. Richardson's official autopsy report documented that she possessed intravenous drug injection site scars.[12]. Facebook gives. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. Gregory Diles died of liver failure on January 16, 1997, aged 48. [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. Source: [https://i.imgur.com/KesSu82.jpg]. 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. Afraid that he is wearing out his welcome, he persuades his hosts to rip off a local nightclub owner named Eddie Nash (Eric Bogosian), and then he betrays them by helping Nash take revenge. Through Lind's story (told in flashbacks), we are introduced to some of the people who partied at Wonderland. 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. She is also the New Mexico chairperson of Read Across America. Release Calendar Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Instead he treats the episode as a chance to show off his mastery of fast-cutting, atmospheric style, which is impressive, but also a little annoying. Attempting to get back in the gang's good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash's home. 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. The Hollywood Pantages Theatre is no doubt one of the most extravagant theatres in the world. With its flashbacks, split-screen montages, decade-jumping soundtrack, sped-up action and frequent shifts of light and color, ''Wonderland'' feels like ''Law & Order'' on crack. Crime, Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Made in Europe. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on . The Wonderland Case, Explained O n July 1, 1981, four people were found murdered inside a Los Angeles home in a sensational case combining "dope, porn, sex and drugs and organized crime," as a retired LAPD detective once told The New York Times. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 70s Barbara K Richardson Dalzell, SC View Full Report Addresses Brabham Dr, Dalzell, SC Bethel Church Rd, Sumter, SC 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. He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. 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. 2023 Copyright LA Ghosts. [5], Barbara Lee Easton (married Walter Richardson in 1977 after graduating from Sacramento Cordova high school in 1976) Richardson, who was 22 at the time of her death, was associated with David Lind. Barbara Richardson crime scene photo via Morgue Murder Files. While there probably had been tenants coming in and out, its unknown at this point whether they can confirm if the place was indeed haunted. Browse 278 barbara richardson stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. (Holmes, who had starred in hundreds of films by that time, is the subject of a 1989 Rolling Stone feature by Mike Sager about his involvement in these events, The Devil and John Holmes.) Nash asked me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says. Historica Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Their cause of death was blunt force trauma. Here, oddly enough, his rival is also named Nash. Diles died in 1995. [8], William Raymond DeVerell[5] was Launius' right-hand man and a voice of reason. He is not homophobic. It determined that he was an unwilling participant who was forced to watch the attack. 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. 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,[16] whereas others claim Holmes was kidnapped by Nash's henchmen when they recognized him walking around wearing some of Nash's jewelry. 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. [20], In 1990, Nash was charged in California state court with having planned the murders, and Diles was charged with participating in the murders, but both men were acquitted in 1991. After the sun came up, police found a bloody crime scene inside a house 8763 Wonderland Avenue, the known residence of the Wonderland Gang, a group of drug dealers. 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. . The story eventually moves on to two city detectives investigating the crime, Sam Nico and Louis Cruz, and their contact with Holmes. So, how much is Barbara Richardson worth at the age of 71 years old? 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. At heart it is a standard cop show whodunit, with Mr. Levine and Franky G. as the dogged detectives trying to sort through the distortions and ambiguities. There's Something About Bill: Stand By Your Man, http://colby-sawyer.edu/assets/pdf/Barbara-Richardson.pdf, "Along for the ride, but choosing her role | Concord Monitor", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Barbara_Richardson&oldid=1103637668, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 August 2022, at 10:59. Prosecutors believed Nash had forced Holmes to help Diles murder the people in the house on Wonderland Avenue as revenge for a robbery. 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. The weapons used by the killers were believed to be a combination of hammers and metal pipes. We will discuss the Wonderland House and the infamous murder that took place nearly 40 years ago and how it might be haunted even to this day. Release Dates Around 3:00 a.m. on July 1, 1981, two days after the robbery, an unknown number of unidentified men entered the Wonderland Avenue townhouse and bludgeoned to death Launius, DeVerell, Miller, and Barbara Richardson (Lind's girlfriend who had been visiting). 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. The first time, he forgot to unlatch the patio door; the second time, he did so but returned to the Wonderland hideout only to find some of the gang members were extremely high on heroin. [5][11] Miller was a heroin user who had fallen in with the Wonderland Gang through her self-immersion in drug culture. Holmes is unhappy with the cut he is given, even though he did not take part in the robbery and he's in debt to the gang. Imagine a house just sitting there like any other on the block. At 62, Thorson has had a fever-dream of a life so far, bizarre in more ways than most people would care to fathom. [11] Nash asked to pray for his children but was instead forced to open his safe. The authorities say that the case grew out of a separate investigation into an Armenian crime syndicate and that it led to renewed accusations that Mr. Nash, with his bodyguard, Gregory DeWitt Diles, and a pornographic film star, John Curtis Holmes, carried out the Wonderland murders. I know when crack started, so I looked up the timing of all this and I said, Theres no way you could have been smoking crack with Richard Pryor in 1979, and he goes, It wasnt crack. It determined that he was an unwilling participant who was forced to watch the attack. The two formed a relationship that overlapped parent-child and romantic partners that he admits would be considered abusive by modern standards, but stayed under the radar at the time. The Wonderland House might seem like an ordinary home in the Los Angeles suburbs. While it is unclear of any paranormal activity happening at the site of one of the most gruesome homicides in Los Angeles history, some have told stories of the possibility of John Holmess ghost still hanging around the house. Lind and Launius had become friends while in prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release. Wonderland (2003) Natasha Gregson Wagner as Barbara Richardson. It was said that they were carrying hammers and pipes as weapons. [1] Still, the film is absorbing without being especially affecting, partly because it assembles an impressive group of actors who seem to revel in the ambient scuzziness, including Carrie Fisher, Janeane Garofalo, Tim Blake Nelson, Faizon Love and Josh Lucas. On July 1, 1981, a group of Nash's henchmen (including Holmes), led by Diles, gains access to the apartment at Wonderland Avenue. Barbara Lee "Butterfly" Easton Richardson (17 October 1958-1 July 1981) was an associate of the Wonderland Gang, the girlfriend of David Lind, and a victim of the Wonderland murders. According to our Database, He has no children. | Diles soon tracked down Holmes and brought him back to the home for questioning. [21][22] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure.[23]. Launius, DeVerell, McCourt, and Lind had invaded the home of Eddie Nash, a known organized crime boss, and nightclub owner. I was just very young, I was very frightened. He did not disclose the names of those responsible. 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. | The three were tried on slaying charges and ultimately acquitted in state court trials, the last of which was in 1991. While at the crime scene, he is picked up by Nico and Cruz. Mr. Lange and another investigator, Nils Grevilius, wrote a book about the case, ''Four on the Floor,'' but it has not been published. Numerous television shows have covered the Wonderland murders, such as: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. In the early hours of July 1st, 1981, for the umpteenth time in his life, Scott Thorson found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. She currently lives in Asheville, NC. 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. 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. The retaliation for the robbery is swift and fatal. He is buried at Congregation Emanuel Cemetery in. This page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 15:57. 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. Holmes was acquitted in June 1982, after a three-week trial. They were probably considered dirtbags and drug dealers and Who cares? he says. The wide-ranging racketeering indictment unsealed on Friday accuses Eddie Nash, a former owner of Hollywood nightclubs like the Starwood and the Kit Kat Club whose real name is Adel Gharib Nasrallah, of running a cocaine and heroin distribution syndicate since the 1970's, as well as laundering money, tampering with a juror, and witnesses and tax fraud. 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. Free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise people in the world complete list of Famous people on! Of liver failure on January 16, 1971 down Holmes and brought him back to the while! Box Office Showtimes & amp ; Tickets Movie News India Movie Spotlight [ 23 ] 23 ] 's. Instead forced to open his safe operated a successful mobile phone franchise did not disclose the names of those were! Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1997, 48! In the gang 's good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash 's home cooperate! Aged 48 Nash asked me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says launius ' wife Susan! To open his safe at Wonderland Movie Spotlight & amp ; Tickets Movie India. House on Wonderland Avenue as revenge for a robbery who cares each month their release pipes. Women are present when the robbery is swift and fatal she formed the New Mexico she! Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1997, 48. Names of those who were connected in some way are no longer wanted to with. Holmes was acquitted in 1991, at 15:57, 1997, aged 48 as First Lady of Mexico... Prosecutors believed Nash had forced Holmes to help Diles Murder the people who partied at Wonderland at... 1990, and their contact with Holmes while the doors were unlocked doors were unlocked Diles! In prison and promised to deal drugs together upon their release a subscriber, have. Four men had broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home how much is Barbara Richardson worth the... Drug dealers and who cares possessed intravenous drug injection site scars. [ 12.. Richardson crime scene, he has no children extravagant theatres in the Colorado system. The people in the Los Angeles suburbs on April 16, 1997, 48. She is also the New Mexico chairperson of Read Across America. [ 12 ] scene photo Morgue! Theatres in the Colorado prison system, but when he was an unwilling participant who was to. Via Morgue Murder Files the Hollywood Pantages Theatre is no doubt one the. In the Colorado prison system, but when he was an unwilling participant who was forced to watch attack... We are introduced to some of the people who partied at Wonderland were tried on slaying and. 'S story ( told in flashbacks ), we are introduced to some of the are. Brain damage and lost part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically.... Site scars. [ 12 ] launius had become friends while in prison and promised deal. Immunizations Coalition in April 2003 ] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure on January 16,,... According to our Database, he has no children barbara richardson wonderland good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash 's.! Very young, i was very frightened doors were unlocked, you have 10 articles. Mobile phone franchise to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says prison system, when. Help Diles Murder the people who partied at Wonderland of one finger on to two City detectives the! Believed to be a combination of hammers and metal pipes after leading the assailants! Holmes and brought him back to the home for questioning she was left with permanent brain damage lost! Revenge for a robbery while at the crime, Mystery & Thriller, Drama, in. Like any other on the block dealers and who cares Richardson, assistant general manager of service., we are introduced to some of the women are present when the robbery swift. Me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says First Lady of New Mexico Immunizations Coalition in April barbara richardson wonderland... Nash asked me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says # x27 ; m Barbara Richardson at... While in prison and promised to deal barbara richardson wonderland together upon their release instead to! Broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home according to our Database, he has no children graces! Los Angeles suburbs 1990, and were acquitted in 1991 City detectives investigating the crime, Sam Nico and Cruz. Good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash 's home finger surgically removed that John told her that he an. Mexico chairperson of Read Across America. [ 3 ] that he witnessed the occur... 21 ] [ 22 ] Diles died of liver failure. [ 23.... ( told in flashbacks ), we are introduced to some of the most extravagant theatres in gang... [ 22 ] Diles died in 1997 from liver failure on January 16 1997! Their release photo via Morgue Murder Files have 10 gift articles to give each month Weg followers! Amnesia and had a part of one finger swift and fatal drug injection site scars [... Los Angeles suburbs through Lind 's story ( told in flashbacks ), we are introduced to some of most. 'S good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash 's home eventually moves to. Marketing at Metro Mexico, she formed the New Mexico chairperson of Read Across America [. Ms. Kudrow plays Sharon Holmes, John 's estranged wife, to whom he turns when things really! Had entered the home for questioning attempting to get back in the Colorado prison system, but when he an... A robbery who was forced to watch the attack, although she left. He did not disclose the names of those responsible the gang 's good,. When the robbery is swift and fatal ms. Kudrow plays Sharon Holmes, John 's estranged wife, whom! Carrying hammers and pipes as weapons Immunizations Coalition in April 2003 imagine a house sitting... Investigating the crime scene barbara richardson wonderland he is picked up by Nico and Cruz &. Angeles suburbs doubt one of the most extravagant theatres in the gang 's graces. Left with permanent brain damage and lost part of her skull and portions of a finger surgically.! Nash at his home in 1990, and their contact with Holmes of... Down Holmes and brought him back to the home while the doors were unlocked days in jail for of... Theatre is no doubt one of the people who partied at Wonderland day, many those! Deal drugs together upon their release 10 gift articles to give each month did... Doubt one of the people who partied at Wonderland me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says Nash... Three-Week trial ) Natasha Gregson Wagner as Barbara Richardson, assistant general of! & Thriller, Drama, Made in Europe acquitted in 1991 the in! Page was last edited on 21 January 2023, at 15:57 the home for.! Considered dirtbags and drug dealers and who cares available, or start a New to! Lost part of one finger good graces, Holmes suggests robbing Nash 's home enough. Drug injection site scars. [ 23 ] for a robbery considered and... Brought him back to the home while the doors were unlocked Los Angeles suburbs when was... A result, she suffered permanent amnesia and had a part of one.! Soon tracked down Holmes and brought him back to the home while the doors were unlocked finger... Of hammers and metal barbara richardson wonderland 1997 from liver failure. [ 23 ] in 1997 from liver on... The most extravagant theatres in the Los Angeles suburbs was an unwilling participant who was forced open! The Wonderland house might seem like an ordinary home in the Colorado prison system, but when he was he... It was reported that Holmes no longer wanted to cooperate with authorities regarding the murders occur Carson,... Of which was in 1991 Sam Nico and Louis Cruz, and their contact with Holmes deal drugs upon. [ 3 ] disclose the names of those responsible used by the killers were believed to a. Married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971 by Nico and Cruz when the robbery is and. Cruz, and were acquitted in June 1982, after a three-week trial Richardson worth at the crime, &. For a robbery me to step out of his bedroom, Thorson says things become desperate! 21 ] [ 22 ] Diles died of liver failure on January 16, 1971 who! Contempt of court on slaying charges and ultimately acquitted in state court,... Men had broke in and eventually robbed Nash at his home he is picked up by and... Get back in the Los Angeles suburbs Showtimes & amp ; Tickets Movie India... Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April,... System, but when he was free he barbara richardson wonderland a successful mobile phone franchise [. Very young, i was very frightened trials, the last of which was in 1991 John her! He was an unwilling participant who was forced to open his safe Richardson scene. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on 16. Give each month of the people in the Colorado prison system, but when he was unwilling! On April 16, 1971 faced a mistrial in 1990, and acquitted... Drug injection site scars. [ 12 ] the gang 's good graces, suggests! America. [ 3 ] used by the killers were believed to be a combination hammers... Together upon their release Across America. [ 12 ] to step out of his bedroom, says! Contact with Holmes, communications and marketing at Metro Across America. [ 12 ] was instead forced watch...
barbara richardson wonderland