Wonderland murders

34°06′42″N 118°23′10″W / 34.1117°N 118.3861°W / 34.1117; -118.3861

Wonderland murders
Location8763 Wonderland Avenue, Laurel Canyon, California, U.S.
DateJuly 1, 1981 (1981-07-01)
Early morning (UTC−08:00 Pacific)
TargetRon Launius
William Deverell
David Lind
Tracy McCourt
Joy Miller
Attack type
Multiple homicide
WeaponHammers or striated steel pipes
DeathsBarbara Richardson
Ron Launius
Joy Miller
Billy DeVerell
InjuredSusan Launius
PerpetratorsUnknown
AccusedJohn Holmes (acquitted)
Gregory Diles (acquitted)
Eddie Nash (acquitted)

The Wonderland murders, also known as the Four on the Floor Murders[1] or the Laurel Canyon Murders, are four unsolved murders that occurred in Los Angeles on July 1, 1981.[2] It is assumed that five people were targeted to be killed in the known drug house of the Wonderland Gang, three of whom—Ron Launius, William "Billy" Deverell, and Joy Miller—were present. Launius, Deverell, and Miller, along with the girlfriend of an accomplice, Barbara Richardson, died from extensive blunt-force trauma injuries. Only Launius' wife Susan survived the attack, allegedly masterminded by organized crime figure and nightclub owner Eddie Nash. Nash, his henchman Gregory Diles,[3][4] and porn actor John Holmes were at various times arrested, tried, and acquitted for their involvement in the murders.

  1. ^ Lange, Tom; Souza, Bob. "Book cover". Four on the Floor.
  2. ^ Lemons, Stephen (June 9, 2000). "Return to Wonderland". Salon.
  3. ^ Timnick, Lois (March 21, 1990). "Trial Begins for 2 in Grisly Laurel Canyon Murders of Mid-1981". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles.
  4. ^ Becklund, Laurie (January 18, 1991). "Two Acquitted in Second Trial for '81 Laurel Canyon Murders". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles.