September 23rd 2024.
The recent release of the true crime series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has sparked a renewed interest in the murder of 80s star Dominique Dunne. Viewers have been captivated by the infamous case of parricide, and many have been left wanting to know more about the death of Dunne, which is mentioned throughout the series.
In the third episode, viewers were introduced to Dominick Dunne, a character based on the real-life Vanity Fair reporter who covered the Menendez brother's case. While having lunch, Dominick sees Defense Attorney Leslie Abromson across the room and mentions a real-life murder case involving his own daughter. He shares with Leslie, "Do you know she tried to help make a plea deal for the man who murdered my daughter?" This introduces the audience to the fact that Dominick's daughter, Dominique Dunne, was also a victim of murder.
Dominique Dunne was a rising star in the 80s, known for her role in Spielberg's Poltergeist as Dana Freeling. But her promising career was cut short when she was brutally murdered at the young age of 22. Her ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, strangled her to death during an argument. Their relationship had been tumultuous, with Sweeney exhibiting controlling and possessive behaviors. There were several physical altercations between the two, with one instance leading Dunne to crawl out of a bathroom window to escape, only for Sweeney to jump on top of her car.
On the day of her death, Dunne was running lines with a co-star for an upcoming series when Sweeney showed up at her home. He convinced her to talk with him on the porch, and during the conversation, things turned violent. Dunne's co-star heard the altercation and called the police after finding Sweeney kneeling over her in some bushes. When the police arrived, Sweeney immediately confessed, saying, "I killed my girlfriend, and I tried to kill myself."
The real Dominick Dunne, who reported on high-profile cases such as O.J. Simpson, William Kennedy Smith, and Claus von Bülow, passed away in 2009. But during his lifetime, he wrote a lengthy article for Vanity Fair titled "A Father's Account of the Trial of his Daughter's Killer." In it, he shares that he has no regrets about going to trial, even though it could have meant Sweeney would have more jail time. He says, "Not one of us regrets having gone through the trial, or wishes that we had accepted a plea bargain, even though Sweeney would then have had to serve seven and a half years rather than two and a half."
Dunne goes on to explain that the trial brought some closure and release from the pain for him and his family. While revenge crossed their minds, they ultimately chose to believe in God and ultimate justice and let go of their obsession with the murder. He says, "We thought of revenge, the boys and I, but it was just a thought, no more than that, momentarily comforting. We believe in God and in ultimate justice, and the time came to let go of our obsession with the murder and proceed with life."
The real Dunne passed away from bladder cancer in 2009, but her legacy lives on through her work and the memories of her loved ones. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is available to watch on Netflix, and it sheds light on the tragic story of Dominique Dunne and the Menendez brothers. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with our entertainment team by emailing us, calling, or visiting our Submit Stuff page.
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