The Wonderland murders, also known as the “Four on the Floor Murders” or the “Laurel Canyon Murders”, occurred in the early hours of July 1, 1981, at a drug den in the heart of Los Angeles. This case, notorious for its brutal violence, has captured public fascination due to the involvement of the Wonderland Gang, organised crime figure Eddie Nash, and infamous pornographic actor John Holmes. Despite multiple trials and decades of speculation, the full truth of what happened that night remains elusive.
The Wonderland Gang: Drug Lords of Laurel Canyon
Operating out of a townhouse at 8763 Wonderland Avenue, the Wonderland Gang was a small but highly active group of drug dealers deeply entrenched in Los Angeles’ criminal underworld. The gang included:
• Ronald Lee “Ron” Launius, a Vietnam veteran and the gang’s leader, known for his cold-blooded nature and a history of violent crime.
• William Raymond “Billy” DeVerell, the gang’s second-in-command, who managed daily operations alongside Launius.
• Joy Audrey Gold Miller, DeVerell’s girlfriend and the leaseholder of the Wonderland townhouse.
• David Clay Lind, an experienced drug dealer with a reputation for unpredictability.
• Tracy Raymond McCourt, the gang’s getaway driver and occasional middleman.
The gang lived on the edge, maintaining their lavish drug-fuelled lifestyle by running high-stakes operations that included narcotics distribution and robberies. Their activities drew attention, but it was their decision to target Eddie Nash, a dangerous and influential figure, that sealed their fate.
The Eddie Nash Robbery: An Act of Hubris
On June 29, 1981, the Wonderland Gang carried out a brazen robbery at the Hollywood Hills home of Eddie Nash, a nightclub owner, and organised crime boss. Nash owned several clubs, including the famous Starwood Club, and was reputed to control a significant portion of Los Angeles’ drug trade. He was known for his connections, wealth, and a reputation for ruthlessness.
The gang’s plan involved John Holmes, a frequent visitor to Nash’s home. Holmes, whose career in pornography was on the decline due to his drug addiction, served as the inside man. On the morning of the robbery, Holmes left Nash’s sliding glass door unlocked during a visit, enabling the gang to storm the house later that day. Armed and brutal, the gang subdued Nash and his bodyguard Gregory Dewitt Diles, ransacking the house and making off with drugs, cash, jewellery, and valuable items. Diles was shot and injured during the ordeal.
The robbery enraged Nash, who immediately suspected Holmes of betrayal. Accounts from Scott Thorson, Liberace’s former lover, who was present at Nash’s home shortly after the robbery, describe a chilling scene where Nash had Holmes tied to a chair and beaten. Nash reportedly threatened Holmes’ family and demanded the names of the assailants.
The Murders: Carnage on Wonderland Avenue
In the pre-dawn hours of July 1, 1981, just two days after the robbery, assailants entered the Wonderland Avenue townhouse. The gang’s core members—Ron Launius, Billy DeVerell, and Joy Miller—were at home, along with Barbara Richardson, who was visiting her boyfriend, David Lind.
Using hammers and metal pipes, the killers unleashed a wave of violence that left four people dead:
• Barbara Richardson, found near the living room couch where she had been sleeping.
• Joy Miller, discovered on her bed.
• Billy DeVerell, found slumped against the TV stand at the foot of the bed.
• Ron Launius, found in his bedroom, having suffered extensive head injuries.
Susan Launius, Ron’s wife, survived but was gravely injured. Found lying near her husband’s body, she sustained permanent brain damage, amnesia, and the loss of part of her skull. She would later be unable to recall any details of the attack.
Discovery of the Crime Scene
Despite the horrific violence, the murders went undetected for over 12 hours. Neighbours, accustomed to the gang’s noisy, drug-fuelled parties, dismissed the screams as part of the usual commotion. It wasn’t until 4:00 p.m., when furniture movers working next door heard Susan Launius moaning, that police were called.
The crime scene was a tableau of chaos. Blood splattered the walls and ceilings, and the house was ransacked. Investigators speculated that the assailants were searching for the loot from the Nash robbery. The level of violence suggested a message: this was not just retribution but a statement.
The Investigation: A Trail of Blood and Betrayal
The LAPD quickly zeroed in on Eddie Nash, Gregory Diles, and John Holmes as suspects. Holmes’ left palm print was discovered on the headboard in Ron Launius’ bedroom, placing him at the scene. However, proving his involvement in the murders was challenging.
Holmes was arrested in March 1982 and charged with four counts of murder. Prosecutors argued that he had betrayed the Wonderland Gang, possibly out of fear or coercion by Nash. Holmes’ defence, however, painted him as a victim forced to participate. After a dramatic trial, Holmes was acquitted of murder charges but spent 110 days in jail for contempt of court after refusing to cooperate with investigators.
Nash and Diles faced trials in the early 1990s. Despite testimony from Scott Thorson, who claimed Nash had confessed to orchestrating the murders, Nash was acquitted after a hung jury in the first trial and an acquittal in the second. Rumours of juror tampering later surfaced, with Nash allegedly paying $50,000 to sway the verdict.
Eddie Nash’s Later Years: A Plea Deal and Decline
In 2000, federal authorities pursued Nash under RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statutes. Facing charges for drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder, Nash agreed to a plea deal. He admitted to bribing a juror in his 1990 trial and acknowledged sending his associates to retrieve stolen property from the Wonderland house, knowing violence might ensue. Nash was sentenced to 4½ years in prison and fined $250,000. He died in 2014 at the age of 85.
Porn star John Holmes, dressed in a prison jumpsuit the day before he was acquitted of murderThe Legacy of the Wonderland Murders
The Wonderland murders remain one of Los Angeles’ most chilling and unresolved cases. They represent a collision of Hollywood excess, organised crime, and the darker side of human nature. The victims, the survivors, and those implicated in the crime form a tableau of a city in the grip of drugs, greed, and violence.
To this day, the case raises questions. Was Holmes more complicit than he admitted? Did Nash directly order the murders? And how could such a brutal crime go unnoticed for so long in a bustling neighbourhood? While many of the key players have passed away, the story of the Wonderland murders continues to fascinate, offering a grim snapshot of a bygone era in Los Angeles history.
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