By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-23 17:22:54 | Updated at 2024-09-30 13:26:10
6 days ago
The blood-curdling murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne has been brought back into the spotlight after her story featured in Netflix's latest series about the Menendez brothers.
Co-created by Ryan Murphy, the first season of Monsters was about the gay cannibal serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, who was played by Evan Peters. The show was highly controversial and sparked social media users to slam the makers for earning money off the grief of the victims' loved ones.
For season two, 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 sleuths who have even unearthed more information about the 1982 murder of promising actress Dominque.
Dominique's death was mentioned a number of times in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, leaving web detectives with a series of questions about her gruesome murder.
The blood-curdling murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne has been brought back to the spotlight (seen center in the film The Day The Loving Died in 1981)
Viewers were given pieces of the star's murder by Dominick Dunne (who is played by Nathan Lane) in the third episode of the series.
Dominick is the father of Dominique and often spoke about the plea deal the attorney attempted to make 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 went into coma and never regained consciousness, later dying in the hospital. Her ex was given a seven-year sentence.
The murder - which it took place in 1982 - was often discussed by true crime sleuths online and the questions surrounding it reignited 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 show, don’t wanna give any spoilers but I’m on a googling rabbit hole on Dominick Dunne! I had no idea about anything really, his daughter being murdered is what shocked me. I knew of his daughter from Poltergeist but I totally agree with you. Lane’s portrayal is amazing!'
Another user added: 'I’m on episode three of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez story-and Nathan Lane has just popped up as Dominick Dunne, I had to stop and come here to say how blown away I am by his portrayal of Dunne. I am an absolute adorer of Dunne.'
Dominique's death was mentioned a number of times within the Menendez brothers (seen) show, leaving web detectives with a series 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: 'Sad there was never true justice for Dominique Dunne.'
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit the cinema 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.
Her father, Dominick, was already at rock bottom. Divorced and broke, his early Hollywood success had dwindled and he’d been forced to sell everything he owned - even his dog.
As the dreaded trial approached, the soon-to-be bold new editor of Vanity Fair Tina Brown encouraged him to write a journal during the harrowing proceedings.
Dominique had risen to fame in the movie Poltergeist and on TV shows like Hart to Hart and Fame.
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit the cinema Dominique Dunne (seen), who played Robins' older sister Dana, was strangled by her boyfriend in the driveway of her West Hollywood home
The brutal murder left her prominent Hollywood family traumatized (Alex, Dominique, and Griffin with their father, Dominick Dunne, in 1967 at the Chateau Marmont)
Dominique's breakthrough acting role came in the ABC network movie Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker
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 experienced was considered a pivotal moment.
He faced brutal cross-examination from the defense lawyer Mike Adelson, who attempted to portray Dominique as a drunk and drug addict whose death was merely a tragic accident.
Her ex was acquitted of second-degree murder in favor of voluntary manslaughter and served seven years, much to the family's outrage.
Her father's account of the trial had, just as Tina promised, been published, and he became a star reporter for Vanity Fair, covering other high-profile criminal cases, including those of the Menendez brothers and OJ Simpson.
