The chilling murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne has returned to the spotlight after her story was featured in the latest Netflix series about the Menendez brothers.
The first season of Monsters, co-created by Ryan Murphy, was about homosexual, cannibalistic serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, played by Evan Peters. The show was highly controversial, prompting social media users to criticise the creators for making money off the pain of the victims’ loved ones.
For the second season, the anthology turned its attention to another infamous true crime story: Lyle and Erik Menendez, who murdered their parents in 1989.
The series, which debuted on the streaming platform on September 19, has been a hit with true-crime detectives who have even uncovered more information about the 1982 murder of up-and-coming actress Dominque.
Dominique’s death was mentioned several times in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, leaving web sleuths with a number of questions about her gruesome murder.
The gruesome murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne has come back into the spotlight (she is seen at the centre of the film The Day The Loving Died in 1981)
Dominick Dunne (played by Nathan Lane) shared with viewers clips of the star’s murder in the third episode of the series.
Dominick is Dominique’s father and often spoke about the plea deal his lawyer tried to reach for the man who murdered his daughter.
The actress, who starred in the 1982 version of Poltergeist, was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, in the driveway of her West Hollywood home.
She fell into a coma and never regained consciousness; she later died in hospital. Her ex was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The murder, which took place in 1982, was often discussed by true crime detectives online and questions surrounding it resurfaced when the Menendez brothers’ series brought up her death again.
Amateur investigators took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit to share their thoughts on the murder.
One person said: “I’m a little further into the series, I don’t want to give any spoilers but I’m down a Google rabbit hole looking for information on Dominick Dunne. I actually had no idea about anything, what shocked me was the murder of his daughter. I knew about his daughter from Poltergeist but I totally agree with you. Lane’s performance is amazing!”
Another user added: ‘I’m on the third episode of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez story, and Nathan Lane just showed up as Dominick Dunne. I had to stop and come here to say how impressed I am by his portrayal of Dunne. I’m an absolute Dunne worshipper.’
Dominique’s death was mentioned several times on the Menendez brothers’ show (seen), leaving web sleuths with a number of questions about her gruesome murder.
Amateur investigators took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit to share their thoughts on the murder.
Someone else commented: “It’s sad that there has never been true justice for Dominique Dunne.”
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit theaters, Dominique, who played Dana in the film, was strangled by her boyfriend in the driveway of her home.
The brutal murder left her prominent Hollywood family traumatized.
His father, Dominick, had already hit rock bottom. Divorced and broke, his initial success in Hollywood had waned and he had been forced to sell everything he owned, even his dog.
As the harrowing trial approached, Tina Brown, soon to be Vanity Fair’s fearless new editor, encouraged him to keep a diary during the harrowing proceedings.
Dominique had risen to fame in the film Poltergeist and on television shows such as Hart to Hart and Fame.
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit theaters, Dominique Dunne (seen), who played Robin’s older sister Dana, was strangled by her boyfriend in the driveway of her West Hollywood home.
The brutal murder left her prominent Hollywood family (Alex, Dominique and Griffin with their father, Dominick Dunne, in 1967 at the Chateau Marmont) traumatized.
Dominique’s breakthrough role as an actress came in the ABC film The Hitchhiker’s Diary.
But her young life was cut short when she was strangled by her abusive ex.
Artist Norman Carby had been a star witness at the murder trial, and his account of the abuse Dominique suffered was seen as a turning point.
Dominique faced brutal cross-examination from defense attorney Mike Adelson, who attempted to portray Dominique as a drunk and drug addict whose death was simply a tragic accident.
Her ex was acquitted of second-degree murder in favor of voluntary manslaughter and served seven years in prison, much to the outrage of the family.
Her father’s account of the trial was published, as Tina had promised, and he became a star journalist for Vanity Fair, covering other high-profile criminal cases, including those of the Menendez brothers and OJ Simpson.
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