He enjoyed fishing in his quiet time. 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. 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. The scene: A long-settled middle-class area on L.A.s Eastside, this neighborhood was largely developed with apartments and single-family homes in the 1920s and 30s. (Image Credit: Wikimedia). She was found covered in blood on the floor next to the bed that held her dead husband's body, her skull bashed in but, miraculously, still alive. Mrs. Launius enjoyed working on the gardens at her home, which she treasured. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. Holmes was acquitted in June 1982, after a three-week trial. Find an Obituary. . Charlie told the driver to head to. Write your message of sympathy today. Holmes buzzed an outside intercom box and asked someone inside to let him in. The neighborhood: Leimert Park. Prior to her disappearance, shed packed up all her earthly possessions and locked then up in the downtown Greyhound bus station. Prior to her disappearance, shed packed up all her earthly possessions and locked then up in the downtown Greyhound bus station. Through his attorney, Nash has consistently denied any involvement in the Wonderland Avenue killings. 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. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Rosemary and Leno LaBianca were brutally murdered in their Los Feliz home by members of the Manson Family in 1969. After a key witness for the prosecution died in an unrelated police shootout, the murder charges against Launius were dropped. The closest snow gets to the streets of L.A. is the glimpse of faraway, snow-capped mountains in the San Bernardino range thats visible from certain parts of town. Perhaps the most horrifying sight was Launius's wife, Susan. The home invasion was successful, and Launiuss boys got away without being identified by Nash and his crew. . No one but Holmes has ever been charged in the murder case. Roland Edward Launius. At the same time, two-bit hustler and self-styled guru Charlie Manson and his gang were cruising the city in their 59 Ford Galaxie 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. For example, we know that Short lied to her family back East about her career ambitions. 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. 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. 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. Launius was married in November 1954 to the love of his life, Cecelia Irene Rutkoski from Marlin, TX. Bill was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. She worked in real estate for over 25 years and was a member of the Belleville Board of Realtors. Later she worked with her husband at Launius Marketing. Although he was often away from home, I was his safe place, Sharon Holmes said. He has had a long career as a journalist and communications specialist with both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. 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. He was one of 5 children born during the depression and times were hard. Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home & Valhalla Gardens, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He said he was told he would be killed and people in the book would be killed if (Holmes) didnt do what (Nash) wanted. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. 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"). . Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. He was predeceased by : his wife Susan; his parents, Carl and Fern; his sister Nancy; and his brother-in-law Darwin Kraft. 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. Lind and his girlfriend, Barbara Richardson, rode down to the Wonderland house on Lind's motorcycle and slept on the living room sofa. But the coke wasnt free, and he owed money all over town. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Together, the womens descriptions of what Holmes told them largely corroborate the Los Angeles Police Departments theory of what happened on Wonderland Avenue. 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. Why are we still having these debates? 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. During Holmes murder trial in 1982, then Deputy Dist. We have never heard the whole truth (about the killings) and we never will hear the whole truth, said attorney Earl L. Hanson, who, along with partner Mitchell W. Egers, successfully defended Holmes against the murder charges. 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. Its been proven true again and again over the years: Los Angeles attracts dreamers, starry-eyed souls who come into the Canyon, as the Mamas and Papas sang, only to be disillusioned. Then, reeling from the shock of seeing a nude and clearly tortured, bisected body, Betty covered her daughters eyes and ran to the nearest neighbors home to phone the police. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Launius and Susan Murphy, were married in Carson City, Nevada on April 16, 1971. . Sharon Holmes said she is convinced that her former husband was at least present when the murders took place. He said, I had to stand there and watch what they did, Sharon Holmes recalled. judith goss parcells; Home Uncategorized susan murphy launius. Ill never forget that as long as I live, she said. 09/14/1943 - 08/10/2014 . John Holmes recounted how he led three thugs to the tightly secured drug house on Wonderland Avenue, escorted them in, and stood by as they bludgeoned the five people inside, spattering Holmes with blood. Special thanks to Hospice of Southern IL for their care and compassion. Mrs. Launius moved to Bloomfield, Missouri, where she met the love of her life, Kent A. Launius. Susan. 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. Charlie and Watson tied the LaBiancas up, convincing the couple theyd be safe if they cooperated. Make a life-giving gesture. Send Flowers. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. You could hit the lofty heights of stardom, like Tom Cruise. Clyde Lee Launius, age 92, passed away on January 23, 2023 at La Bonne Maison Assisted Living Facility in Sikeston, MO. Or you could climb the literal heights of the Hollywood sign, as. Filicide & Familicide: What Drives Men and Women to Family Annihilation? Click or call (800) 729-8809, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Funeral homes; Help and advice. Select boxes below to reduce the number of results. . Find the obituary of Susan Miller-Preciado (1945 - 2018) from Provo, UT. The armed intruders robbed Nash and his 300-pound body guard, Gregory Diles, of $10,000, two plastic sacks of cocaine and other property. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. The actors wife paused. As of January 2017, Susan Launius is both the sole survivor of the Wonderland murders and the only living member of the Wonderland Gang. The Black Dahlia murder, the Manson Family spree, and the Wonderland killings are each crimes of their era with resonance that reaches to today. According to her testimony shed never seen the residence before the day of June 30, 1981. She liked to go to concerts and enjoyed many types of music. 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 neighborhood: Laurel Canyon. The address: Waverly Drive. Hanson said Holmes never told his attorneys what happened the night of the killings. LAUNIUS, JUNE E. Flushing Age 90 of Flushing, died Thursday, June 21, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. Funeral, time pending, Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Belleville. Its a miracle that, despite the thousands of hopeful souls who attempt to break in to the stardom proffered by the architects of Hollywoods dream factory, there arent more tragic tales of disheartened dreamers losing it all. He was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt, Ill., American Legion Post 502 in Millstadt, Ill., Progressive Mine Workers Local 76, and the Operating Engineers Local 520. His associate, David Lind, once said of him: "You could put a gun to his head and his pulse would never break 70". He writes on a wide variety of topics, including outer space, the fine arts, and modern history. Laurel Canyon had its share of free-spirited, drug-friendly residents, but had never seen this level of violence and brutality. The moans that the moving company had heard had been from her. . As the 1980s began, and Holmes became more heavily involved in cocaine, his absences grew longer. Above all, she was a fun-loving "Gram and enjoyed spoiling and spending time with her grandchildren. This time, flipping the script, Holmes would gain access to Launiuss Wonderland Avenue pad for Nashs ultraviolent retribution. And the character that caused all this trauma? She was a wonderful mother, aunt, and dear friend. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Dr. Blythe Denham-Kieffer officiating. (Image Credits: [left] The Sun UK; [right] IMDB). 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. Manson, along with his henchman Tex Watson, easily walked into the home and surprised both Leno and Rosemary. Cecelia passed away on January 22, 2012, and is buried in Marlin, TX. Biography Susan A. Murphy married Ron Launius in Carson City, Nevada on 16 April 1971, and the two of them were heavy drug users. And yet, according to the evidence, neither was she a prostitute. And yet. 'We have interviewed her but we're not going to say anything about it.'. Susan Launius (1951-) was the girlfriend of Ron Launius and an associate of the Wonderland Gang. 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. By light, four people Ron Launius, his accomplice Billy DeVerell, Billys girlfriend Joy Miller, and Barbara Richardson lay dead in the house. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. For others, its just a dead end. 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. 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. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern IL, PanCan.org, or First United Presbyterian Church Building Fund. Title Image Credit: Izayah Ramos for Unsplash, We like to believe that doctors, nurses, and caregivers are trustworthy and have our best interests at heart. 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". Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. 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. Holmes was quickly spirited away to Nashs house and beaten until he revealed all his secrets. 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