Dominique Dunne seemed to have it all – beauty, talent, and a famous, loving, affluent family to back her up. Her father Dominick was a producer, her brother Griffin was an actor, and her mother Ellen was a socialite.

Dominique spent the year after high school in Florence , but returned to the U.S. to study drama at Colorado State University . However, before completing her degree, she left to try her hand at acting. She quickly landed television roles on shows such as “Lou Grant,” “Hart to Hart,” “Fame,” “CHiPs,” and “Hill Street Blues.” However, it was her role as Dana Freeling in the 1982 horror Poltergeist that garnered her her biggest success.

While shooting the film, many believe the set of Poltergeist was cursed. That curse would follow many of the actors off set, starting with young Dominique.

The 22-year-old had fallen in love with Ma Maison chef John Sweeney. They moved in together, but Sweeney’s jealousy made for a tumultuous relationship. Sweeney turned violent and fearing for her safety, Dominique ended the relationship.

Nevertheless, Sweeney wasn’t ready to let go just yet. On the night of October 30, 1982, Dominique and her “V” costar David Packer were at her home going over their lines when Sweeney showed up. He wanted to reconcile, but Dominique refused and asked him to leave. Packer asked if he should go, but Dominique told him to stay and went outside to talk to Sweeney. The two ended up in her driveway along the backside of the house next door. As the fighting escalated, Sweeney began choking Dominique. The small actress – at 5′1” and 112 pounds – was no match for the 6′1” nearly 200 pound Sweeney.

Packer heard screams then a thud and called the police. The police said the house was out of their jurisdiction. Now fearing for his own safety, Packer called a friend, leaving a message that said if he was found dead, it was John Sweeny who did it. After a few minutes, Packer went outside and found Dominique on the ground and Sweeney standing over her. Packer called the police, who sent an ambulance to the scene.

Dominique was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital , but the damage was irreversible. The doctors told her family that the strangulation had caused brain damage and there was no chance for recovery. After five days, Dominique’s family made the difficult decision to turn off the life support and the young actress died, just nineteen days before her 23 rd birthday.

Dominick Dunne attended the trial of his daughter’s murderer. When Sweeney was sentenced to only six years for involuntary manslaughter, Dominick was incensed.

Sweeney served only 2 ½ years of his six year sentence. After his release, he took the position of chef at The Chronicles in Santa Monica . Still outraged, Dominick organized family and friends to hand out flyers that read, “The hands that prepared your food strangled Dominique Dunne on October 30, 1982.” Needless to say, Sweeney lost his job. He changed his name to John Maura and moved out of California .

After his daughter’s trail, Dominick became a crusader for exposing corruption in the criminal justice system, such as that which happened to his daughter.
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Tags: Celebrity Murders, death, Dominique Dunne, John Sweeny, murder, Polterguist

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