Essential Insights
- Scott Thorson had a significant role in the true-crime series The Wonderland Massacre, but sadly, he passed away before the series was released.
- This documentary consists of four parts and revolves around the gruesome mass killings linked to Eddie Nash.
Michael Connelly, the executive producer of Bosch: Legacy, has debuted a new true-crime series titled The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood. This series delves into a shocking series of murders that took place in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Scott Thorson, a crucial witness in the events surrounding the case, unfortunately died just prior to the documentary’s premiere. Connelly, known for his captivating crime novels, has deep roots in crime journalism, allowing him to grasp the underbelly of Hollywood and its darker narratives.
The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood is a four-episode true-crime series that premiered on MGM+ in the United States. Scott Thorson is included in interviews conducted by Michael Connelly, who also speaks with former homicide detectives, including Mitzi Roberts, the real-life inspiration for the spin-off character Renee Ballard in Bosch: Legacy.
Scott Thorson Was A Crucial Witness In The Wonderland Massacre And His Contribution To Michael Connelly’s True-Crime Series Came Just Before His Death
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The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History Of Hollywood |
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Episodes |
The Heat of a Cold Case, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Up In Smoke, The Last Man Standing |
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Created by |
Michael Connelly |
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Directed by |
Allison Ellwood |
Scott Thorson was at the center of the 1989 trial of Eddie Nash, a nightclub proprietor and drug dealer, who allegedly orchestrated the 1981 slayings of four individuals in a home situated on Wonderland Avenue in Laurel Canyon. This notorious crime provided the framework for the true-crime documentary, The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood, created by Michael Connelly.
The harrowing account of the murders unfolded as Eddie Nash claimed that the inhabitants of the home had robbed him and shot his bodyguard, John Holmes, a known porn star and drug user. During the trial, Thorson recounted his presence at Nash’s residence, participating in a drug transaction when he witnessed Holmes being assaulted in an effort to disclose the culprits’ identities. Following this, unidentified assailants invaded the Wonderland home, leading to the brutal deaths of Ron Launius, William “Billy” Deverell, Joy Miller—all connected to the robbery—and Barbara Richardson. Tragically, all four victims suffered fatal head injuries, with only one survivor, a woman named Susan Launius. After the trial concluded, Thorson entered witness protection and assumed a new identity. Notably, Scott Thorson faced no criminal charges and passed away on August 16, 2024, in Los Angeles after battling cancer and heart-related issues at the age of 65.
Thorson described his role at Nash’s house during the drug transaction and witnessed the vicious attack on Holmes.
The Wonderland Massacre Influenced A Significant Scene In A Renowned Hollywood Film
- In the classic film of the 90s, Boogie Nights, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, features a character reminiscent of John Holmes played by Mark Wahlberg, who becomes entangled in a memorable scene involving a drugged character named Alfred Molina, inspired by Eddie Nash.
Scott Thorson’s Tumultuous Journey Involving Drugs And A Notorious Romance With Liberace Before The Wonderland Massacre
Scott Thorson’s rise to prominence was notably tied to his relationship with the extravagant performer Liberace, despite the latter’s denials of his sexual orientation. Thorson adopted the name Jess Marlow and filed a staggering $113 million palimony lawsuit against Liberace in 1982, which concluded in 1986, granting Thorson a settlement of $75,000, along with three cars and three pets valued at around $20,000. Liberace succumbed to HIV/AIDS-related complications in 1987.
A Key Detail About Scott Thorson
- Thorson’s life was further dramatized in the acclaimed Emmy-winning film Behind the Candelabra, directed by Steven Soderbergh, featuring Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as Thorson.
In 1988, Thorson released a memoir titled Behind The Candelabra: My Life With Liberace, detailing pivotal moments from their six-year romance. He took part in Liberace’s Las Vegas performances, appearing as his driver, but their relationship deteriorated due to Thorson’s increasing struggles with substance abuse, which he later attributed to Liberace prescribing drugs for his recovery post-plastic surgery.
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