The chilling murder of ’80s star Dominique Dunne has come back into 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, centered on homosexual cannibal serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, played by Evan Peters. The show was highly controversial, with social media users criticizing the creators for profiting off the grief of the victims’ loved ones.
For its second season, the anthology focused on another infamous true crime story: Lyle and Erik Menendez, who murdered their parents in 1989.
The series, which premiered on the streaming platform on September 19, has been a hit with true crime investigators, who have even uncovered more information about the 1982 murder of promising actress Dominque.
Dominique’s death was mentioned several times in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, leaving web detectives with a series of questions about her gruesome murder.
The bloodcurdling murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne has been brought back into the spotlight (seen center in the 1981 film The Day The Loving Died)
In the third episode of the series, viewers were shown clips of the murder of the star, played by Dominick Dunne (played by Nathan Lane).
Dominick is Dominique’s father and often spoke about the settlement the lawyer tried to get for the man who murdered his daughter.
The actress, who starred in the 1982 version of Poltergeist, was strangled in the driveway of her West Hollywood home by her ex-boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney.
She fell into a coma and never regained consciousness, dying later in hospital. Her ex was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The murder, which took place in 1982, was often discussed online by true crime investigators, but questions surrounding it were rekindled when the Menendez brothers series revisited her death.
Amateur researchers shared their thoughts on the murder of X, formerly known as Twitter, and Reddit.
Someone said, “I’m a little further into the show, I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I’m down a Google rabbithole on Dominick Dunne! I literally had no idea about anything, his daughter being murdered is what shocked me. I knew his daughter from Poltergeist, but I totally agree with you. Lane’s performance is amazing!”
Another user added: ‘I’m on episode three of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez story and Nathan Lane just showed up as Dominick Dunne, I had to stop and come on here and say how blown away I am by his portrayal of Dunne. I absolutely adore Dunne.’
Dominique’s death was mentioned several times in the Menendez brothers series (seen), 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: ‘Too bad there was never any real justice for Dominique Dunne.’
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit theaters, Dominique, who played Dana in the film, was strangled to death by her boyfriend in the driveway of her home.
The brutal murder has traumatized her prominent Hollywood family.
Her father, Dominick, was already at rock bottom. Divorced and broke, his early Hollywood success had waned and he was forced to sell everything he owned—even his dog.
As the dreaded trial approached, Vanity Fair’s new editor-in-chief, Tina Brown, encouraged him to keep a diary during the terrifying events.
Dominique became famous through the film Poltergeist and TV series such as Hart to Hart and Fame.
Just weeks after Poltergeist hit theaters, Dominique Dunne (seen), who played Robins’ older sister Dana, was strangled to death by her boyfriend in the driveway of her West Hollywood home
The brutal murder traumatized her prominent Hollywood family (Alex, Dominique and Griffin with their father, Dominick Dunne, in 1967 at the Chateau Marmont)
Dominique’s breakthrough role as an actress came in the ABC network film Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker
But her young life was cut short when she was strangled by her abusive ex.
Artist Norman Carby was a witness at the murder trial and his account of the abuse Dominique endured was seen as a pivotal moment.
He was subjected to a brutal cross-examination by his attorney Mike Adelson, who tried to portray Dominique as a drunkard and drug addict whose death was merely a tragic accident.
Her ex was acquitted of second-degree murder and convicted of manslaughter, receiving a seven-year prison sentence, much to the family’s anger.
Ultimately, according to the court, he only served two and a half years. People.
Her father’s account of the trial was published, as Tina had promised, and he became a star reporter for Vanity Fair, where he covered other high-profile criminal cases, including those of the Menendez brothers and OJ Simpson.