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. He said, I had to stand there and watch what they did, Sharon Holmes recalled. 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. He is from . But before they headed east, Holmes paid a final, early morning visit to his wife. 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. She was the only survivor of the Wonderland murders, although she suffered severe head injuries, amnesia, and a severed finger following the attack. So, how much is Susan Launius worth at the age of 71 years old? December 23, 2018 Interment will follow in Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville IL. She liked to go to concerts and enjoyed many types of music. Launius estranged wife, Susan, who was visiting, survived the assault but suffered severe head injuries. Visitation: Friends may call Monday June 6, 2011 from 5-8 pm, at First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Road, Belleville, IL 62223. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? The overnight discovery of the bodies of Sharon Tate and her friends at the Benedict Canyon home she shared with husband Roman Polanski was all over the next days news. Funeral, time pending, Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Belleville. Originally, McCourt was designated to take part in the home invasion itself, but a day or so before the event, conspirator David Lind (who derisively referred to McCourt as "Titmouse Tracy") took away McCourt's handgun, and McCourt was relegated to driving duty. 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". Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 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. 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. 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. Bill was a member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy W, Belleville, IL 62223. Neighbors knew the place had more than a bad rep it had bad juju. Visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The neighborhood: Leimert Park. In the years following the Wonderland murders, McCourt was reported to have moved to Colorado. fishing with canned anchovies; pros and . Clyde Lee Launius, age 92, passed away on January 23, 2023 at La Bonne Maison Assisted Living Facility in Sikeston, 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. Her husband, Ron, 37, of the Topanga Canyon area of Los Angeles, was one of the victims. He resides in Glendale, California. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. Sympathy Ideas. No charges have ever been filed in the Black Dahlia case, but that hasnt stopped people from confessing. She served as a deacon and Read More, Submit an obit for publication in any local newspaper and on Legacy. . Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. The scene: A tract of land being developed into new homes to accommodate young working-class families in postwar L.A. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. James M. Eisenman, a Century City attorney who represents Holmes estate and his second wife, said he doubts Sharon Holmes story. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying 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. . Holmes spent a good portion of his days (and nights) partying with the Wonderland crew. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. 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. 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. But why are mysteries so endlessly fascinating? When one of Nashs bodyguards spotted Holmes wearing a ring that had been purloined that night, the whole thing fell apart. Charlie told the driver to head to Los Feliz, with which he was familiar after spending a drug-fueled evening there a year before. He told me that he had set up the robbery. '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. Holmes was quickly spirited away to Nashs house and beaten until he revealed all his secrets. . 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. One was abruptly interrupted on the morning of July 1, 1981, when a shaken John Holmes crawled into their Glendale bedroom, bleeding, and told his wife that he had been in an accident. John Holmes, who was tried for and acquitted of the crimes, never told his wife the names of the assailants, she said. In the summer of 1981, Sharon Holmes said, she and John Holmes were living together as the managers of a small Glendale apartment complex. Basically, he said, Im going to have to run, Sharon Holmes recalled, And I said, Youre going to have to tell me. . Gov. 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. No charges have ever been filed in the Black Dahlia case, but that hasnt stopped people from confessing. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern IL, PanCan.org, or First United Presbyterian Church Building Fund. Based on the material given to us by John Holmes (for the book), that version of the facts is not an accurate one, Eisenman said. Select boxes below to reduce the number of results. John Holmes died of AIDS complications in 1988. Short seems to have been a drifter. 'We'll probably find a real motive,' he said. . Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com. She served as a deacon and a Stephen minister. ? Breaking into Hollywood And Breaking Apart, Doing Harm: Doctors Who Murder and Maim Their Patients, Jim Jones: The Twisted Story of the Man behind the Jonestown Massacre. She was a wonderful mother, aunt, and dear friend. 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". The neighborhood: Laurel Canyon. 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. 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"). there just isnt enough clear evidence to point to any one suspect in particular. Inside was Ronald Launius, considered the leader of the group, his wife Susan, William Raymond "Billy" Deverell, his . Location of the so-called 5th victim, Susan Launius was found at the foot of her husband's bed. She worked in real estate for over 25 years and was a member of the Belleville Board of Realtors. Ill never forget that as long as I live, she said. Write your message of sympathy today. Miss Miller's shiny white 1969 Mercedes 280 SL was used to deliver narcotics to her customers, detectives said. Click or call (800) 729-8809, Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Funeral Home and Cremation Services. 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. On December 17, 1948 in Sikeston, MO. Filicide & Familicide: What Drives Men and Women to Family Annihilation? Her husband, Ron, 37, of the. 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. Whatever the mood was prior to the night of August 8, the night of August 9 was filled with trepidation. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com. Unfortunately, thats not always the case. He is not dating anyone. You can search by first or last name, state and publication date. 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. 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. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Holmes buzzed an outside intercom box and asked someone inside to let him in. John Holmes himself never offered a public account of what happened on that July night. shed never seen the residence before the day of June 30, 1981. March 17, 1926 - October 31, 2020. 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 . Susan B. Launius. He spent considerable time in the Colorado prison system, but when he was free he operated a successful mobile phone franchise. . He spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court. This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. June 21, 1945 - 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. . She was scheduled to appear in court this month on drug charges. 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. 2023 SCI SHARED RESOURCES, LLC. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, William Launius Sr.; her son William (Joan) Launius Jr. of Millstadt; her daughter Lori (Ken) Harris of Waterloo; her grandchildren William Trey Launius III, Kasey Launius, Hunter Harris, Carter Harris, Tanner Harris, and Cooper Harris; brother-in-law Darwin Kraft; beloved nieces Lisa (Craig) DeBeaumont, Rebecca (Art) Fudge, beloved nephews Todd Kraft, and Karl Eric (Sue) Kraft, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, lifelong friend Theresa Painter, and many other friends. Share Obituary. Search by Name. It changed the nature of Laurel Canyon. Theres somebody out there who wants to kill me, Holmes told Sharon, his wife of 16 years. Prior to her disappearance, shed packed up all her earthly possessions and locked then up in the downtown Greyhound bus station. By light, four people Ron Launius, his accomplice Billy DeVerell, Billys girlfriend Joy Miller, and Barbara Richardson lay dead in the house. 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? 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. He would have to take them to the house.. He said that (Nash) told him if he ever talked to the police that (Nash) would kill someone in his family. The detective added that Holmes said he was there when the murders happened, but that he himself did not hurt anyone.. Nash was separately convicted of cocaine possession and served about two years in state prison. She enjoyed bowling, cross-stitching, and shopping. 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. . As the 1980s began, and Holmes became more heavily involved in cocaine, his absences grew longer. 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. 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. Help tell the story of your loved ones unique life. In 1981, at Launius' behest, Lind traveled to Los Angeles to join the Wonderland gang and assist them in running drugs. Coroner Thomas Noguchi said early autopsy results on the bodies found Wednesday -- 12 hours after the neighbors ignored the screams for mercy -- indicated the victims had been beaten to death. So,, Whether its a whodunnit story, a bank heist, or an unsolved problem of science, we love a good mystery. Launius was known for remaining composed under pressure. . But Detective Tom Lange of the Los Angeles Police Department, the lead investigator on the case, said, There is no mystery, because we know who is involved and we know why. 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. Prosecutors charge that Nash, then a wealthy nightclub owner, ordered the murders . Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern IL, PanCan.org, or First United Presbyterian Church Building Fund. For a much deeper examination of the twisted world of Charles Manson and his infamous band of followers, take a look at. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. I know who did it.. Launius was married in November 1954 to the love of his life, Cecelia Irene Rutkoski from Marlin, TX. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. Launius' estranged wife, Susan, who was visiting, survived the assault but suffered severe head injuries. 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 . , money, salary, income, and assets. That version of the story, Sharon Holmes said, is fiction. At 71 years old, Susan Launius height not available right now. 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. The Dignity Memorial online obituary search tool gives you access to obituaries from thousands of locations across North America. LAUNIUS, JUNE E. Flushing Age 90 of Flushing, died Thursday, June 21, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. The house at 8763 Wonderland Avenue was well-known in the neighborhood, and for all the wrong reasons. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. to the late Clyde and Jottie Williams Launius. 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. 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. Funeral homes; Help and advice. The LAPD estimates that over the years theyve received. Prior to her disappearance, shed packed up all her earthly possessions and locked then up in the downtown Greyhound bus station. No one but Holmes has ever been charged in the murder case. In essence, what they wanted him to do was . . Blogs; Online will; Shop. Susan was a lifelong member of First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, IL. How did Shorts body end up in this strange residential environment, seven miles and seven days away from. 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. She is survived by her loving husband of 48 years, William Launius Sr.; her son William (Joan) Launius Jr. of Millstadt; her daughter Lori (Ken) Harris of Waterloo; her grandchildren William Trey Launius III, Kasey Launius, Hunter Harris, Carter Harris, Tanner Harris, and Cooper Harris; brother-in-law Darwin Kraft; beloved nieces Lisa (Craig) DeBeaumont, Rebecca (Art) Fudge, beloved nephews Todd Kraft, and Karl Eric (Sue) Kraft, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, lifelong friend Theresa Painter, and many other friends. 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