Despite the Menendez brothers case being the focal point in Netflix’s Monsters, there exists a hidden narrative that represents one of Hollywood’s most heartbreaking tragedies.
Amid the ongoing debate surrounding the Netflix series, one of the most significant criticisms is Ryan Murphy’s decision to depict a romantic relationship between the Menendez brothers. However, as Murphy has explained, this aspect is influenced by real-life stories, particularly the coverage of the case by Dominick Dunne.
During the trial of the Menendez brothers, Vanity Fair true crime reporter Dominick Dunne, portrayed by Nathan Lane in the show, emerged as a key figure in the case. At the same time, Dunne was grappling with his own personal tragedy: the murder of his daughter, Dominique Dunne.
If Dominique Dunne’s name rings a bell, it’s likely due to her role in the 1982 horror classic Poltergeist, where she played Dana Freeling, the teenage daughter.
What happened to Dominique Dunne?
Dominique Dunne, famous for her portrayal of Dana in Poltergeist, was tragically murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, on October 30, 1982.
Dunne documented the harrowing experience of his daughter’s murder and the subsequent trial in a 1984 Vanity Fair article titled ‘Justice: A Father’s Account of the Trial of his Daughter’s Killer‘.
Dominique and Sweeney had a tumultuous on-and-off relationship from 1981 to 1982, during which Sweeney exhibited possessive and volatile behavior. After a September 1982 incident in which Sweeney choked Dominique, she ended their relationship.
Dominique Dunne played Dana in Poltergeist
However, on October 30, Sweeney visited Dunne’s home, coaxing her outside under the pretense of wanting to talk. At that time, Dunne’s friend and co-star David Packer was present in the house and remained inside until he heard a scream followed by a loud thud.
When Packer stepped outside, he discovered Sweeney kneeling over an unresponsive Dunne. He immediately called the police, and upon their arrival, Sweeney confessed, stating, “I killed my girlfriend.”
Dunne fought for her life in the hospital for several days before being declared brain dead and taken off life support. Sweeney was ultimately convicted of voluntary manslaughter, receiving a mere six-year sentence.
During the sentencing, Dunne reflected in his article: “As we sat there like whipped dogs and watched the spectacle of justice at work, I felt a madness growing within me.”
Dominick Dunne is portrayed by Nathan Lane in Monsters
This painful legacy is glimpsed in Episode 7 of Monsters, showcasing Dunne’s emotional outburst and a brief representation of Dominique’s tragic attack.
While Dunne’s murder is not directly linked to the Menendez brothers’ case, incorporating these moments adds depth to understanding Dominick Dunne’s role in the media frenzy surrounding the brothers’ trial.
The series explores his trauma, shedding light on why he adopted a scrutinizing stance towards the Menendez case, driven by the haunting memories of his daughter’s trial nearly 13 years earlier.
To discover more, explore other disturbing facts about the Menendez case. Additionally, find out which true crime stories Ryan Murphy and Netflix should explore next, and check out all the best new documentaries released this month.
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