Sharon Holmes Outline On John’s Life
From Sharon’s nine page outline, obtained by Mike Sager back in 1988. She had first given the outline to the LA Times and the television program “A Current Affair”. I got it from a college project posted online. Credit to Elon Green.
It’s an amazing read. Just some tidbits:
John did poor in school, spent most of his leisure time roaming the woods of rural Ohio – hunting/fishing. John was also into furniture and home repair/remodeling. Besides school, these are things that Holmes had in common with Ron Launius, who was an outdoors-man and had father who was a very successful cabinetmaker – could explain a bit about their one-time friendship apart from drug use. Ron was the one who tolerated him around the house, while Billy despised and did not trust him (according to Tracy McCourt).
My notes:
Holmes was left near the scene and when he got to his car, he tore up his bloody clothes and put them in bins between Hollywood and Glendale. Sharon lived in Glendale, where he was headed.
Mike Sager describes Sharon perfectly as the fifties-style wife, who would suffer for her husband, and she did. Marriage was still “for better or worse” and it got worse.
Holmes was arrested twice – in Ventura and New Jersey. He was an informant for 7-8 years. He also ran the payroll for the porn shoots, delivering cash, etc. to the sets.
John’s oldest brother Eddie was “a hillbilly, felt to be stupid by John” and “never successful except for having kids.”
His brother Dale was “most envied, everything that John was not.”
John worked as a “shoplifting detective” at a store in the late 60s. This may have given him insight into how to be a good thief and how to spot opportunities to steal.
The nine page outline begins:
“There is nobody on the face of the earth who knew and understood him better than I, having spent 17 years of living and growing to adulthood with him. I, unlike him have no reason to hide the truth about him and our life together.”
and ends with:
“His dream was to become rich & famous. How truly ironic to realize at the end of his life, that the selling of his body & spirit and the destruction of his soul had rendered him infamous, pitiable, and alone, and away from those who loved him for what he once was and for what he could have been.”
Sharon’s own handwriting
Tom McC, 
Jim, 
Gayle, and 4 others are discussing. 
Tom McC 2:21 pm on November 17, 2015 Permalink |
Interesting stuff. My brother was getting his MD from USC, doing jail rounds, another doctor,
I think he was named Zook, introduced Holmes to him behind bars saying he was a movie star.
My brother didn’t realize who the “movie star” was for weeks. It was all over the news, strange
seeing Christine Lund or other LA newscasters referring to “JOhnny Wadd.” What memories.
Porn was everywhere. Now you can’t even show tits in a movie, everything has been Disneyfied.
LikeLike
Jim 8:59 am on November 16, 2015 Permalink |
Does anyone know if John’s older brother Eddie is still alive?
I believe Dale is still alive and lives in Pataskala.
I passed through the town a couple of years ago but thought better of asking around about the family.
LikeLike
Jill Nelson 3:44 pm on November 10, 2015 Permalink |
Great stuff, John! It’s interesting to read Sharon’s own words. Just a couple of thoughts re: your notes. Regarding the “bloody” clothes. In one of her accounts made to the L.A. Times in April 1988, Sharon said that John had come to Glendale, gone into their bedroom, and “crawled into bed in his bloody clothes.” According to Sharon, John had no explanation as to the state of his clothes other than having been in “an acccident.” If this is indeed the case, it begs the question whether John discarded his clothing en route between Hollywood and Glendale. There is also the possibility/probability of him having left blood stains in his car — fresh from the crime scene. Did he discard his clothes prior to getting into his vehicle? As we know, there are/were varying accounts provided by Sharon, Dawn, (John), and also Bill Amerson, who claimed that Holmes had (also) visited him following the murders.
A comment about John’s older brother Dale. He might have been revered, yet when he received a parting antique gift sent from John while John was dying in the Veteran’s hospital, Dale destroyed it in a most violent manner. I understand there were many emotions at play, but I do question that kind of behaviour. Dale is also (likely) responsible for omitting John’s name from their mother’s obituary. It wasn’t David. Like him or despise him, John was family. Would his mother have wanted that?
It would have been fascinating had Sharon H. written a book.
LikeLike
Ken 2:32 pm on November 9, 2015 Permalink |
John,
Glad to see you back in the saddle again with your KICK ASS website digging up even more in depth info on Holmes and the WONDERLAND killings. Back in 1980 and 81 I was an 18 YO Marine stationed at Camp Pendelton about 60 miles down the coast and we used to hang out in the LA/Hollywood area a lot on the weekends. I remembber both The 7 Seas and the Starwood. Never went into the 7 Seas but did go to the STARWOOD on several occaisions.
Thinking back on this now 35 years later I wish I had paid more attention to what was going on There and then….LOL!
LikeLike
John 5:13 am on November 10, 2015 Permalink |
Thanks Ken.
In ’81, I was in fifth grade. We were having dinner in front of the TV in the living room, like we always did, either watching Carol Burnett Show or the news. I remember the murders being mentioned on the national news.
LikeLike
Gayle 1:44 am on November 11, 2015 Permalink |
The Starwood was MAGIC!!!**
LikeLike
Dave 1:25 pm on November 9, 2015 Permalink |
Great stuff — thanks. Would love to see that outline in its entirety.
LikeLike