Horrorwood: True Crime in Tinseltown

In the mid-’80s, Jon-Erik Hexum was a rising star with movie-star looks and major charisma, known for his breakout roles on Voyagers! and Cover Up. But just as his career was taking off, everything came to a sudden and shocking halt due to a tragic on-set incident—one that would leave Hollywood reeling and spark questions about how productions handle safety.
Episode Sources:
“Jack’s Story” by KC Conley on Tenafly Guy
“Local News in Brief : Actor Hexum’s Mother Sues Over Son’s Death” from L.A. Times Archives, August 1, 1985, L.A. Times
The Jon-Erik Hexum Fan Club and Archive
“Cover Up 1x07 (Excerpt) Jon-Erik Hexum Memorial” from s13rr4buf3 on YouTube
“SHOOTING OF JENNIFER O'NEILL IS BELIEVED ACCIDENTAL” by Franklin Whitehouse, Special to the New York Times, October 24, 1982, The New York Times
“Summer of ’42 Star Says ‘God Saved Me’ After Suicide Attempt and Accidental Shooting” by Nancy Flory, September 13, 2019, The Stream
“How Do Blanks Work As Compared to Regular Bullets?” by Mark Mancini, December 4, 2015, Mental Floss
“CHANGE OF HEART Extraordinary story of Jon-Erik Hexum – the actor who died playing Russian roulette on his own TV show and whose donated heart saved a Las Vegas pimp’s life” by Mark Hodge, February 12, 2018, The Sun
“Actor brain dead, officials say” from The Courier, October 19, 1984
“The Show Must Go On: How the Deaths of Lead Actors Have Affected Television Series” by Douglas Snauffer, McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers, Chapter 6, pages 79-95
“Entertainment agent Bob LeMond, who discovered John Travolta and…” from UPI Archives, August 8, 1986
“Cover Up” on IMDb
“Jon-Erik Hexum” on IMDb
“Voyagers!” on IMDb
“Jon-Erik Hexum’s ‘Cover Up’ co-star Jennifer O’Neill remembers late actor: ‘Gun safety is essential’” by Stephanie Nolasco, October 22, 2021, Fox News
“Jon-Erik Hexum” on Find A Grave
“Who Was Jon-Erik Hexum? How His Death Is Being Compared to Alec Baldwin Prop Gun Tragedy” by Jamie Burton, October 22, 2021, Newsweek
“Jon-Erik Hexum's Fatal Joke” by EW Staff, October 14, 1994, Entertainment Weekly
 
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Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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Season 13 of American Horror Story premieres September 24, 2026, so we rummaged around our vault and found this episode (previously for subscribers only) on the Rosenheim Mansion, aka "the Murder House," which has been featured multiple times in the AHS franchise.
And in case you missed our social media post, we are taking a slight mental health break (2-3 weeks) so that we can reset and recharge before we gear up for our favorite time of year...FALL! 
 
And if you have your OWN story about a real-life haunted house experience, send it to us! We want to feature you on one of our Misfit Monday episodes. 
 
Episode Sources:
Film at the Rosenheim Mansion 
“In Honor of 10 Years of AHS, Here Are 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Real-Life ‘Murder House’” by Margeaux Sippell, MovieMaker Magazine, Oct. 5, 2021 
“We Went to the ‘Murder House’ to Learn About its Ghosts” by Juliet Bennett Rylah, We Like L.A., Oct. 30, 2020 
“The Owners of the American Horror Story "Murder House" Are Suing the Sellers for Their Unwanted Tourist Problem” by Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, Feb. 23, 2018 
“American Horror Story Murder House: The True Story That Inspired Season 1” by Shannon Lewis, Screen Rant, Apr. 12, 2023 
“Horror comes home” by Michael Idato, Sydney Morning Herald, Nov. 10, 2011 
“'American Horror Story's Evan Peters: 'It Just Gets Worse’” by Rennie Dyball, People, Nov. 16, 2011 
“We went inside the ‘American Horror Story’ Murder House ahead of virtual Halloween event” by Kelli Skye Fadroski, Los Angeles Daily News, Oct. 26, 2020 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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Famed singer Sam Cooke's life ended in a Los Angeles motel in December 1964, but the questions surrounding his death have never disappeared. An investigation quickly ruled the shooting justified, yet many believe the full story was never uncovered. Decades later, the mystery continues to spark debate and speculation.
 
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Episode Sources:
 
“Sam Cooke” by Jack Ewing, 2021, EBSCO
“Aretha Franklin: The Little-Known Traumas That Fueled Her Music” by Julie Miller, August 16, 2021, Vanity Fair
“Excerpt: 'Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke'” by ABC News, December 27, 2005, ABC News
“Aretha Franklin, Sexual Violence, and the “Culture of Dissemblance”” by Rachel Zellars, November 1, 2018, AAIHS
“Sam Cooke” from abkco
“Barbara Campbell Cooke, 85, Widow of the Slain Sam Cooke, Is Dead” by Penelope Green, Published September 22, 2021, Updated September 27, 2021, The New York Times
“A clearer vision” by Peter Guralnick, November 20, 2005, The Guardian
“A Fallen Star” by Edit Antoinette, March 23, 2009, I Grew Up In Chicago
“Sam Cooke: An Insatiable Libido and a Justifiable Homicide” from Disgraceland, Episode #03, March 6, 2018
“The Mystery of Sam Cooke’s Brutal Murder Remains Almost Six Decades Later” by Lauren Novak, December 11, 2023, Remind Magazine
“Too black, too strong: who killed Sam Cooke?” by Ellen E Jones, March 2, 2019, The Guardian
“What really happened to Sam Cooke?” by Anonymous, April 18, 2019, The Chicago Crusader
“Shooting of Sam Cooke Held ‘Justifiable Homicide’” from the New York Times Archives, December 17, 1964, The New York Times
“The Death Of Sam Cooke And The Conflict Details Of His Final Hours” by Genevieve Carlton, Edited By John Kuroski, Published May 24, 2026, All That’s Interesting
“True Crime : The Murder of Superstar Sam Cooke Plus his Hidden Grave and House” by SCOTT ON TAPE - Your Pop Culture Tour Guide on YouTube
“Rock’s Mysterious Deaths: Sam Cooke” by Bill DeMain, December 11, 2016, Performing Songwriter
“Why Mystery Still Shrouds Singer Sam Cooke's Shooting Death Nearly 60 Years Later” by Jordan Runtagh, Updated on January 21, 2021, People
“Sam Cooke dies under suspicious circumstances in LA” by HISTORY.com Editors, Published November 13, 2009, Last Updated: May 27, 2025, History
“Sam Cooke's Granddaughter Explains Why She 'Very Rarely' Says Yes to Projects as Estate CEO: No 'Room for Error'” by Rachel DeSantis, January 8, 2026, People
“The Curious death of Sam Cooke” by Heirs & Successes, April 1, 2016
“The ambiguous life and strange death of soul legend, Sam Cooke” by Pubali Dasgupta, December 11, 2020, Far Out Magazine
“COLUMN ONE : The Soulful Legacy of Sam Cooke : The charismatic minister’s son became a Top 40 sensation who inspired generations of singers. His explosive rise was cut short when he was slain at a motel 30 years ago.” by Edward J. Boyer, December 23, 1994, Los Angeles Times
 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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Sam Cooke changed American music with timeless hits, great record business success, and a very powerful voice for the Civil Rights Movement. His rise from gospel prodigy to soul legend seemed unstoppable until a late-night encounter at a Los Angeles motel ended in one of music's most controversial deaths.
 
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Episode Sources:
“Sam Cooke” by Jack Ewing, 2021, EBSCO
“Aretha Franklin: The Little-Known Traumas That Fueled Her Music” by Julie Miller, August 16, 2021, Vanity Fair
“Excerpt: 'Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke'” by ABC News, December 27, 2005, ABC News
“Aretha Franklin, Sexual Violence, and the “Culture of Dissemblance”” by Rachel Zellars, November 1, 2018, AAIHS
“Sam Cooke” from abkco
“Barbara Campbell Cooke, 85, Widow of the Slain Sam Cooke, Is Dead” by Penelope Green, Published September 22, 2021, Updated September 27, 2021, The New York Times
“A clearer vision” by Peter Guralnick, November 20, 2005, The Guardian
“A Fallen Star” by Edit Antoinette, March 23, 2009, I Grew Up In Chicago
“Sam Cooke: An Insatiable Libido and a Justifiable Homicide” from Disgraceland, Episode #03, March 6, 2018
“The Mystery of Sam Cooke’s Brutal Murder Remains Almost Six Decades Later” by Lauren Novak, December 11, 2023, Remind Magazine
“Too black, too strong: who killed Sam Cooke?” by Ellen E Jones, March 2, 2019, The Guardian
“What really happened to Sam Cooke?” by Anonymous, April 18, 2019, The Chicago Crusader
“Shooting of Sam Cooke Held ‘Justifiable Homicide’” from the New York Times Archives, December 17, 1964, The New York Times
“The Death Of Sam Cooke And The Conflict Details Of His Final Hours” by Genevieve Carlton, Edited By John Kuroski, Published May 24, 2026, All That’s Interesting
“True Crime : The Murder of Superstar Sam Cooke Plus his Hidden Grave and House” by SCOTT ON TAPE - Your Pop Culture Tour Guide on YouTube
“Rock’s Mysterious Deaths: Sam Cooke” by Bill DeMain, December 11, 2016, Performing Songwriter
“Why Mystery Still Shrouds Singer Sam Cooke's Shooting Death Nearly 60 Years Later” by Jordan Runtagh, Updated on January 21, 2021, People
“Sam Cooke dies under suspicious circumstances in LA” by HISTORY.com Editors, Published November 13, 2009, Last Updated: May 27, 2025, History
 
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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Critics called him the next Clark Gable. His rugged good looks and womanizing ways made Steve Cochran Hollywood's favorite bad boy. With a life as colorful as his it's only fitting his death make just as big a "splash."
 
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Episode Sources:
“Steve Cochran: Bad Boy of Hollywood” by Michelangelo Capua, University Press of Mississippi, May 12, 2026
“10 days trapped with a corpse: The strange death of a notorious Hollywood star” by Andrew Chamings, SF GATE, Oct 24, 2022
“Body Found on Drifting Boat Identified as Actor” The Tampa Tribune, Jun 28, 1965
“SEA PUZZLE Inquiry into actor’a death” The Canberra Times, Jun 29, 1965
“Last Rites For Cochran Held Today” The Times Standard, Jul 1, 1965
“Steve Cochran, Actor, Is Dead” The New York Times, Jun 27, 1965
“Death of Steve Cochran at Sea Is Attributed to Lung Infection” The New York Times, Jun 28, 1965
“Steve Cochran Funeral” The Times, Jul 2, 1965
 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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In 1954, hundreds of cast and crew members traveled to the deserts of southern Utah to make what was supposed to be Hollywood's next epic adventure movie: The Conqueror. The film starred John Wayne as Genghis Khan and was backed by eccentric billionaire Howard Hughes. What was meant to become the next blockbuster ended up becoming one of the deadliest movies ever made, all thanks to a nuclear testing site just a few dozens miles from the set.
 
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Episode Sources:
“A John Wayne flop has been linked to high cancer rates. A new documentary aims to tell the community’s story.” by Zack Budryk, June 30, 2024, The Hill
“The Production and Legacy of The Conqueror (1956)” by Paige Stringham, Brigham Young University, March 14, 2018, modified April 17, 2026, Intermountain Histories
“Hollywood and the downwinders still grapple with nuclear fallout” by Rory Carroll, June 6, 2015, The Guardian
“RISKY BUSINESS: The Conqueror” by Brian Smolensky, Epitome Risk, ProductionHUB
“The Conqueror – the Movie that Killed actor John Wayne” by Paul Andrews, Lost in History
“John Wayne Biography” by Biography.com Editors, Published April 3, 2014, Updated September 15, 2022
“Nevada Test Site” from the Atomic Heritage Foundation
“Our History” from Nevada National Security Sites
“Radiation Death and Deception” by Thomas G. Alexander from “Utah, The Right Place,” History To Go
“Impacts of Radiation from Aboveground Nuclear Tests on Southern Utah” from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality
“The Conqueror: Hollywood Fallout on IMDb
“The Conqueror” on IMDb
 
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Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
 
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When a deceased cameraman was found slumped in his car outside the Hollywood post office, police were certain jealousy was the motive. Or was it robbery? Either way, the killer must have been a man. Or maybe a woman? Yeah, police didn't have a clue, despite, well, all the clues.
Episode Sources:
“King D. Gray — Little Close-Ups of the A. S. C. (1922)”
King’s Death Certificate
“Film Cameraman Found Murdered” Bradford Evening Star and The Bradford Daily Record (Bradford, Pennsylvania) · Wed, Jul 6, 1938
“Jealousy Seen Behind Killing of Cameraman” Daily News (New York, New York) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Question Two More Women in Mystery Hollywood Slaying” Daily News (New York, New York) · Sun, Jul 3, 1938
“Find Woman’s Prints On Gray Murder Pistol” Daily News (New York, New York) · Sat, Jul 9, 1938
“Woman Seen in Mystery Movie Death” Enterprise-Record (Chico, California) · Sat, Jul 9, 1938
“Think Jealousy Murder Motive” Latrobe Bulletin (Latrobe, Pennsylvania) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Mystery Shrouds Hollywood Death” LNP Lancaster Online (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) · Sun, Jul 3, 1938
“Police Quiz Companions on Fatal Night as Author of ‘Dear Daddy’ Note Discovered” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News (Hollywood, California) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Holdup Murder in Gray Case?” Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nevada) · Wed, Jul 6, 1938
“Murder Suspect Offers Alibi” Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) · Wed, Sep 14, 1938
“Slain Movie Cameraman Party Guest” Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, California) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Convict’s Past Being Studied” Reno Gazette-Journal (Reno, Nevada) · Thu, Jul 21, 1938
“Film-Story Murder Leaves Hollywood Cameraman Dead” The Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, Georgia) · Fri, Jul 1, 1938
“Shoeprint Makes Police Believe Man Killed Gray” The State (Columbia, South Carolina) · Mon, Jul 4, 1938
“Quiz Persons in Slaying of King D. Gray” The Times (La Salle, Illinois) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Jealousy May Be Found Motive in Hollywood Killing, Prober Says” The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, Louisiana) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Break Looms in Hollywood Murder Case” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) · Wed, Jul 6, 1938
“Police Believe Woman Killed King D. Gray” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) · Thu, Jul 7, 1938
“Police Recover Pistol Used in Gray Killing” Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wisconsin) · Fri, Jul 8, 1938
“Hollywood Film Cameraman Found Slain in Automobile” The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Fri, Jul 1, 1938
“Pistol Clue Fails in Hollywood Death” Pasadena Star-News (Pasadena, California) · Mon, Jul 11, 1938
“Berkeley Suspect to Face Slaying Questioning” Pasadena Star-News (Pasadena, California) · Tue, Sep 13, 1938
“Clue Discovered in Gray Murder” The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) · Mon, Jul 4, 1938
“Sister Turns to Bible for Courage at News of Film Cameraman’s Death” The Indianapolis Star (Indianapolis, Indiana) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
“Triangle Theory Advanced in Killing of Cameraman as ‘Dear Daddy’ Letter Revealed” Los Angeles Evening Citizen News (Hollywood, California) · Fri, Jul 1, 1938
“Death of Film Cameraman Puzzles Police” The Daily Breeze (Torrance, California) · Sat, Jul 2, 1938
Creeptastic theme music by: Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast

It's officially summer and to celebrate we've got a brand spankin' new round of Misfit Tales! We're reading stories written by YOU about things you've experienced. Today's tales have been brought to you by Anonymous, Melody MacKay, Lexi and Maria. We've got a real-life possibly criminal case, a ghost truck, a visit from the afterlife and, as the title of this episode suggests, ghost fingers.
Keep sending us your stories!
 
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