5 chilling details about The Wonderland Massacre 

The Wonderland Massacre, better known as the Laurel Canyon Murders, was one of the brutal and bloody crimes that shocked Los Angeles back in 1981. Four people were found savagely beaten to death inside a home on Wonderland Avenue, while a fifth victim barely survived the attack.

The crime scene even drew comparisons to the Manson Family murders, a little more than a decade earlier. It was allegedly a murder-for-hire in retaliation for a robbery at the home of nightclub owner Eddie Nash, which the victims had orchestrated as members of the notorious Wonderland Gang.

This massacre brought to light a dark underbelly of drugs, violence, and betrayal that lay hidden in the brightness of the Hollywood social scene. Several arrests were made, one of them being the adult film star John Holmes; however, the case remains unsolved to this date.

The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History of Hollywood will premiere on September 8, 2024, at 10 pm ET/PT, exclusively on MGM+. This highly anticipated series whisks audiences back to one of the most notorious and shocking murder cases in the history of Hollywood: the killings that took place on Wonderland Avenue in 1981.

Following are five chilling details about the Wonderland Massacre that describe the brutality and mystery associated with this infamous crime.

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5 unforgettable details about the Wonderland Massacre

1) The murders were carried out with blunt objects

The victims of the Wonderland Massacre were brutally murdered with lead pipes amongst other blunt objects in this violently extraordinary incident. As police entered the home, they immediately noticed blood splatters on walls and flooring throughout the house.

The brutality of the attacks showed that this most definitely was a message being conveyed by killers involved with or potentially connected to the robbery of Eddie Nash, a strong and influential nightclub owner/drug dealer. The brutality of the violence even shocked hardened investigators, who likened the crime scene to a "slaughterhouse."

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2) John Holmes' handprint was found at the scene

One of the most famous aspects of the Wonderland Massacre involves John Holmes, a prominent figure in the adult film world. Holmes, having succumbed to drug addiction, deeply connected both Eddie Nash and the Wonderland Gang.

Two days before the murders, Holmes allegedly helped the gang rob Nash's home, a turn of events that led to the killings. A bloody handprint at the scene was later matched to Holmes, thus implicating him in the crime. Despite this, Holmes was acquitted in court and left many questions about his exact role in the massacre.

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3) A fifth victim survived but couldn't remember anything

While four people were killed in the Wonderland Massacre, the fifth victim, Susan Launius, survived the attack. Susan was the wife of gang leader Ron Launius-one of the targets in the killing. She was found unconscious with grave head injuries but miraculously survived the attack.

However, since she was traumatized, Susan remembered nothing of the pre- or actual attack and was unable to provide any details of the rampage inside the house.

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4) The murders were most likely revenge for a robbery

The Wonderland Murders were believed to be in direct response to a robbery just two days earlier at the home of Eddie Nash. The Wonderland Gang, along with the help of John Holmes, had robbed Nash's mansion of over $1 million in cash, jewelry, and drugs.

In return, Nash had ordered the murders of those responsible for this theft. While Nash was charged in connection with the crime years later, he avoided a long prison sentence by taking a plea deal.

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5) The case remains unsolved

Despite the high-profile nature of the Wonderland Massacre, no one has ever been convicted of the murders. Both Eddie Nash and John Holmes were tried in connection with the crime, although neither went to prison for the killings. The jury acquitted Holmes, while Nash was later convicted on charges of drug dealing but never seriously pursued for his possible involvement in the massacre.

The case has remained in the public consciousness for decades because no resolution has been found to date, leading people to continue to speculate on what happened that night and who was responsible.

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The case of The Wonderland Massacre is one of the most tragic and heinous crimes to have ever hit the streets of Hollywood. With violent acts and famous figures such as John Holmes involved in a crime related to the sleazy underworld of drugs and crime, the case captivates and appalls.

Unasked questions, survivor testimony, and the lack of convictions only add to the mystique surrounding this horrific event, setting in stone that the murders of Wonderland will not be forgotten anytime soon.