She was a child beauty queen and her murder garnered copious media attention because of the strange circumstances surrounding her death. When Sam sang as a little boy in church, everyone made note that his voice had "something special". A man was convicted of his murder based on a confession, but the body was never recovered. His big break came when he was cast in 1986s Monster in the Closet, a horror comedy movie that also featured Stacy Ferguson (of Black Eyed Peas), Howard Duff, and John Carradine. Take a look at some of these cases and share your opinion in the comments section. Stars Whose Parents Have Been Murdered. Victim of the murder for which William Williams was hanged. He appeared in the film Gypsy (1962) as Gerry. He later had roles on hit shows like Smallville, The O.C., Drake & Josh, and Boston Public. Not all presumed victims have been verified to be linked. Andrs Escobar was born on March 13, 1967 in Colombia. Director Roman Polanski and actress Sharon Tate were the Hollywood dream couple when they married in the 1960s. Walkers greatest career success came as an adult when he played Brian OConner in 2001s The Fast and the Furious. He was an exceptional dancer who started dancing professionally at age eight. Honeychurch was the mother of the two now-identified children, who were half-sisters. 3 weeks ago. Unfortunately, they did not discover their misdiagnosis until it was too late. 8 8)Dorothy Stratten. A teenaged murder victim found at the edge of a cemetery. Roger Troutman was born on November 29, 1951 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, earning him the nicknames Died April 1, 1984, age 44; was shot to death by his father during an argumentWas an R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer; winner of 2 Grammy Awards His father served no jail time for the murder. Jenny Maxwell was an American actress of Norwegian descent. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. Mary Tyler Moore wasn't able to turn the world on with her smile when her twenty-four-year-old son killed himself in 1980. One of the most popular current claims around people who have been supposedly controlled by MKUltra revolves around none other than Kurt Cobain. Additional reporting byNick Cannata-Bowman and Ali Harrison. Bobby Driscoll is one of the more well-known child stars who tragically passed away before his time. Sharon Tate: Stabbed 16 Times. Known only as "Delta Dawn", Heinrich remained unidentified until 2020. 4. Dana Hill who played Audrey Griswold in National Lampoons European Vacation alongside Chevy Chase and Beverly DAngelo was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at a young age. In 2018, his conviction was overturned. One of the sergeants on the case indicated that she likely didnt know the shooters, but other sources said she was dating an older man from a gang. Her most substantial role was that of Ellie Corbett in the musical comedy "Blue Hawaii" (1961), depicted as a flirtatious teenage girl who has suicidal thoughts.Maxwell Died June 10, 1981, age 39; she and her husband were shot to death in the lobby of their Beverly Hills condoWas an American actress best known for the movie, "Blue Hawaii" and the TV show "Route 66"Police believe they were the victims of a botched robbery attempt; their murders remain unsolved. Gandhi was killed because of the fact that his murderer believed that Gandhi immensely supported Muslims during the partition of 1947 and Nathuram, being an extremist Hindu couldn't take that anymore and murdered Gandhi. He had a promising career as one of Disney's prolific child actors . Thelma Todd was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, an industrial city near the New Hampshire state line. These 19 beloved young actors passed away far too soon. Died November 1, 2020, age 30; was shot to death while walking to his carActor best known for the movie "The Kids are Alright" and the TV shows "Surface" and "Devious Maids"His death is believed to be a robbery gone bad. Media stars reunite to honor Detroit's WGPR, America's 1st Black-owned TV station. Following the devastating tragedy, the 'Infowars' host used his public . Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. ABC News. When they pulled over due to tire damage, the gang opened fire on them. Ramn Gay was born on November 28, 1917 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. A previously unidentified infant whose mother was identified via forensic genealogy in 2020. Even child celebrities sometimes succumb to pressure, the rigors of fame, and a host of otherissues that can darken a shining light much too soon. As of August 2022 they were still incarcerated and awaiting trial, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. After a couple of roles in war movies (The Purple Plain (1954) and The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)) and a Tarzan movie (Tarzan and the Lost Safari (1957)) he became a villain in Strangers' Meeting (1957). Practitioner of filicide, Empress Wu Zentian. Selena was 9 years old when her father discovered her talent for singing. Studied at The Atlantic Theatre Company in New York, and has performed in many Died March 12, 2015, age 38; she and her husband were killed, dismembered, and their remains burned in a wood stove by a handyman they had befriendedShe was a chef best known for appearing as a contestant on the TV show "Food Network Star"She and her husband had been married for less than a year, and she was 5 months pregnant when she was killed. He was a costume designer and production designer, known for Judge Dredd (1995), Showgirls (1995) and The Leading Man (1996). Those included on this list include many of the mostfamous people who died young. Young had suffered through depression and bipolar disorder, and was taking medication to treat both issues. Sadly, Poltergeist III was the last film ORourke made. Unidentified and known as Valentine Sally until February 2021. Susan Cabot was born in Boston and raised in a series of eight foster homes. The other three murderers have remained incarcerated for over 50 years. Died December 8, 2004, age 38; was shot to death onstage by an angry former fan; the assailant then killed 3 others before he was shot to death by policeWas a guitarist for the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, both of which he co-founded. The 2008 double murder of a teenage Noida girl and a house help is one of India's murkiest murder mysteries. The mystery surrounding this young stars death only deepened after Murphys husband, Simon Monjack, died under similar circumstances five months later in the same house. On July 6, 2022, Holder was found guilty of first-degree murder for Hussle's death. Their killer pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, and was sentenced to a minimum of 59 years in prison. Next: A confrontation led to this rascals death. They are currently incarcerated and awaiting trial. Died November 10, 1973, age 57; he and his wife were shot to death during a home invasionWas a musician, actor, and singer-songwriter best known for appearing on the TV show "Hee Haw" and at the Grand Ole Opry. Victim remained unidentified until January 2020. SARAH & JACOB HOGGLE. In August 2013, Lee Thompson Young, known for his role as Jett on the Disney Channel show Famous Jett Jacksonand a star turn on the TV crime drama Rizzoli & Isles,ended his life by suicide at the age of 29. 0:00. Tara Correa-McMullen was born on May 24, 1989 in Westminster, Vermont, USA. He died on August 9, 1969 in Beverly Hills, California, USA. Her mother, who disappeared alongside her, remains missing. A teenage girl abducted and presumed to have been murdered. Brittany Murphy appeared in many TV sitcoms and commercials before her big break in the 1995 hit comedy Clueless. If the assassin was a member of the Illuminati or even a patsy, it remains to be seen. Sentencing is scheduled for November 2022. Twenty-month-old Charles Augustus LindberghJr.was snatched from his crib in New Jerseyon March 1, 1932. The only child of Jozsef Barsi and Maria Benko, Judith Eva Barsi beat 10,000-to-1 odds when she was discovered at a San Fernando Valley skating rink at age 5 1/2 in 1983 and mistaken for a three-year-old. 1,660 views . Suspect's conviction was overturned in 1999. Photo Credit: Peacock. John Lennon. 5 5)Jam Master Jay. He left the bar complaining of a headache. According to cbr.com, in 2005, at age 72, Blake was sent to prison for the murder of his second wife. She was misdiagnosed with Crohns Disease the year before her death, but had actually been suffering from a congenital intestinal abnormality. Although the original amount of $50,000 was paid, the child's body was found with a crushed skull a few miles from the Lindbergh home on May 12, 1932. James Ellroy. One fourth of the supergroup The Beatles, the murder of John Lennon shook the world. Many people recognize the twins who played Ray Romanos sons onEverybody Loves Raymond. Barsi was especially known for lending her voice toThe Land Before Time(as Ducky) andAll Dogs Go to Heaven,as well as acting inJaws: Revengeand more. The brilliant actor took his own life in 2014 by hanging himself in his home in California. The murder of an autistic person is still seen as a tragedy, of course. Listed In: Leaders. A teenager listed as a missing person for over thirty years, after her adoptive parents reported her as a. The late Adrienne Shelly was born in Queens, New York, to Elaine Langbaum and Sheldon Levine. Fourteen-year-old Aarushi Talwar was found murdered in her house on May 16, 2008. Meeker's roommates insisted that the celebrity . Child actors seem to have the worst of luck. Phoenixs well-received performance in Stand By Meled to roles in major motion pictures, including The Mosquito Coast, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, and Little Nikita. His character was one of the most memorable characters ever portrayed in the series. Her killer was soon caught, but he had not asked the hitchhiker for her name, and Roberts went unidentified until 2020, when new techniques in. He has said he was . He died on October 30, 2002 in Queens, New York City, New Died October 30, 2002, age 37; was shot to death in his recording studio, purportedly over a drug dealWas the DJ for the hip-hop group Run-DMCIn August 2020, 18 years after his death, two of his former associates were indicted for his murder. The death of Robin Williams shocked the world in 2014. At just 20 years old Garber contracted hepatitis while on a trip to India. Childhood pictures, family mementos and hand written letters penned by serial killers fetch plenty of . She was previously married to Gary Clements. The woman had been stabbed only hours prior. The victims were Carmen Coln, Michelle Maenza, and Wanda Walkowicz. His mother was identified in 2019 and subsequently charged with his murder. Celebrities You May Not Realize Are Biracial, Actors/Celebrities You May Not Realize Are Part Black or Have African Ancestry, Longest Celebrity Marriages in History: Actors and Celebrities Married Over 50 Years, Doppelgangers: Celebrities Who Look Alike. In 1984, his family moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he became good friends with Jada Pinkett Smith. Died June 18, 2018, age 20; was shot to death during a robbery outside a motorcycle dealershipWas a rapper and singer-songwriterIn July 2018 four men were arrested for his murder. Jett was autistic and suffered from seizures, but it was the tragic accident that ended his life prematurely. Peter Arne was for a short time the perfect villain in British film. A Teen Hid In a House & Terrorized A Family, 15 Famous Child Murder Victims That Were International News. Sal was thrown out of parochial school and, by age eight, was a member of a street gang in a tough Bronx neighborhood. She died on April 26, 1999 in Fulham, London, England, UK. He was previously married to Cami Sebring. A promising young actor and musician, River Phoenixs breakout role was in 1986s Stand By Me. J. Madison Wright Morris who appeared in the television series Grace Under Fire had been diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy as an adolescent and had a heart transplant at age 15. The boys were sexually assaulted. Infant born alive then abandoned who remained unidentified until 2022. "Orange Is the New Black" star Brad William Henke passed away in his sleep at the age of 56. Tara Correa-McMullen appeared on the TV showJudging Amyas a teen involved in a gang and her character was eventually murdered ending her time on the show. Hollywood was shocked when 10-year-old child star Judith Barsi died at the hands of her suicidal father in 1988. Tuberculosis. It seemed like this actor would become a major movie star. ephantmon. Teenager murdered and dumped near a Woodlawn cemetery, unidentified decedent for 45 years. On May 28, 2010, after sustaining injuries due to a fall in his home, the troubled actor passed away from a brain hemorrhage. Later in his career, Died January 21, 1959, age 31; was shot to death during a fight over $50His death was ruled justifiable homicide and his murderer was acquitted In 2013, the 23-year-old died in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Her mother, Lee Ann Daigle, was charged with murder. She appeared in many American TV hits of the 1970s and 1980s, such as Three's Company (1976), The Jeffersons (1975), The New Mike Hammer (1984), Riptide (1984), Knight Died February 3, 2003, age 40; was shot to death by music producer Phil Spector Was an actress and model best known for the movies "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Barbarian Queen"Spector's first trial ended in a hung jury; in 2009 at his second trial he was convicted of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to 19 years to life; he died in prison in January 2021 at age 81. During a 13-month period, four children (two girls and two boys) were abducted and murdered with their bodies left in various locations in suburban Detroit. One victim remains unidentified, Harris County John Doe (1973). On the show, Coleman played one of two African-American brothers adopted by a wealthy white widower. Christina Grimmie was an American actress, singer, song writer, and YouTube sensation. As his acting career took off, Corey Haims personal life spiraled out of control. He died on July 2, 1994 in Medellin, Colombia. They had to be restrained at times. Kidnapping and mutilation of a young girl. Phil Hartman was born Philip Edward Hartmann on September 24, 1948, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. A couple confessed in 2005 to killing her, but without her identity there was not enough information to put a case together. After graduating Jericho High School in Jericho, New York, she enrolled at Boston University and majored in film production. She died on November 28, 1963 in West Hollywood, California, USA. "Lockin's killer was convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and sentenced to only 4 years in prison. Subject was most likely over 19 at time of death. By ABC News. Heather O'Rourke played Carol Anne Freelingin the Poltergeist horror moviefranchise. 2. Ramon Novarro was born Jos Ramn Gil Samaniego on February 6, 1899 in Durango, Mexico, to Leonor (Gavilan) and Dr. Mariano N. Samaniego Siqueiros, a prosperous dentist. The rest of his body was never found. A toddler who was killed by her stepmother after enduring severe physical abuse. They were a burden on their families. JonBent Ramsey was only 6 years old when she died. Disappeared July 30, 1975, age 62; declared dead July 30, 1982Was a union activist, labor leader, and president of the TeamstersHe is presumed to have been killed by members of organized crime. Next: An actress dies similarly to the way her character did on TV. Thousands of child murders are never solved, and their killers never brought to justice. A New Mexico toddler who was found murdered in Oregon after a fisherman caught his remains. Ramon and his family moved to Los Angeles in 1913, as refugees from the Mexican Revolution. The following year, she strangled a 3-year-old boy. The actress' son, Richard Meeker, was talking to his roommate and apparently playing with a shotgun when it fired, fatally shooting him in the head. William S. Burroughs. They reportedly pounded on Stiltz's door and then forced their way into his house. A year beforeFamily Matterswent off the air (1997), Thomas was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. Despite her fame fromDiffrent Strokes, Plato found it difficult to find quality work. He also appeared in Alpha Dog, Fright Night, and Charlie Bartlett. There was no evidence linking Smith to the crime, and the police did not pursue any other leads. According to Access Hollywood, the coroner determined that pulmonary congestion not a drug overdose caused his death. In October 2020, Connecticut Chief State's Attorney Richard Colangelo Jr. said he would not retry Kennedy because too many witnesses had died, and the case would be dismissed.