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The miniseries featuring Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez is now streaming on Netflix.
Controversy Surrounding “Monstruos: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez”
The series Monstruos: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez is stirring up more debate than its predecessor, considered to be the first season titled Monstruo: The Story of Jeffrey Dahmer, featuring Evan Peters.
Reactions to the Depiction of True Events
To this day, relatives and even the Menéndez brothers have come forward with criticisms regarding how their story has been portrayed within the miniseries crafted by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan. They express discontent regarding the narrative twists added to real-life events.
It’s important to note that many of the events depicted in the show are based on real circumstances. For example, the tragic murder of Dominique Dunne, the daughter of journalist Dominick Dunne, played by Nathan Lane, is one such occurrence.
While the main focus remains on the Menéndez case, the series briefly touches upon other high-profile cases from that era, including that of O.J. Simpson, and details the trial of Dominique Dunne, which coincidentally occurred a decade prior to the Menéndez trial.
The Tragic Story of Dominique Dunne
Dominique Dunne pursued an acting career from 1979 until her untimely passing in 1982. During her career, she portrayed Dana Freeling in the horror classic Poltergeist. Although she was set to reprise her role in the sequel, tragedy struck before filming could commence. Her last performance came in the miniseries V, which debuted in 1983.
Sadly, the talented actress was killed at the age of 22 by her ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, on October 30, 1982. At the time, fellow actor David Packer was present, rehearsing lines with her inside the house. Dominique stepped outside to speak with Sweeney.
Upon hearing a commotion, Packer called the police. Unfortunately, they informed him that the situation fell outside their jurisdiction. Frantically, he left a voicemail for a friend saying, “If I don’t make it through the night, John Sweeney is the one to blame.”
A Devastating Outcome and Its Aftermath
When Packer finally emerged from the home, he discovered Sweeney kneeling beside Dunne. Upon arrival, the police found him stating, “I killed my girlfriend and attempted to take my own life.” Reports later suggested that Sweeney had strangled Dunne during an argument.
Dominique was rushed to the hospital and spent five days in a coma connected to life support. Tragically, she never regained consciousness, and her brain scans revealed no signs of activity. Her family made the difficult decision to remove her from life support on November 4.
Sweeney received a mere two and a half years in prison for his actions, which understandably infuriated Dunne’s father. He took drastic measures, hiring a private investigator to warn Sweeney’s future partners about his violent past. Eventually, out of frustration, Dunne discontinued his pursuit of Sweeney and attempted to move forward with his life.
