Gary Coleman became a child star as Arnold Jackson on the hit TV series Diffrent Strokes. In 2018, his conviction was overturned. Many of them end of going off the rails while many others end up outgrowing their careers. 10 Celebrities Who Made A Fortune After Dying. Dylan McDermott. Sal was thrown out of parochial school and, by age eight, was a member of a street gang in a tough Bronx neighborhood. Each child was held alive from 4 to 19 days before being killed. ", Learn how and when to remove these template messages, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Babes in the Wood murders (Pine Grove Furnace), Skyla Jade Whitaker, Taylor Paschal-Placker, List of unidentified decedents in the United States, "Babes in the Woods, girls smothered to death by their dad when he ran out of money: notorious murders", "Judge Overturns 1957 Cold Case Murder Conviction; Jack McCullough Goes Free", "Charges Dismissed Against Jack McCullough in '57 slaying of Sycamore Girl", "Can TV Solve Yavapai 'Little Miss Nobody' case? Bridgette Andersen - Best known for: Savannah Smiles - Died in 1997 when she was 21 years old. Adam Walsh disappeared on July 27, 1981, while he was playing in the toy section of a Hollywood, FL, Sears as his mother shopped. For years, police struggled to catch her killer and the case remains unsolved to this day. Child actors seem to have the worst of luck. Died September 5, 2005, age 36; was beaten and strangled to death by his prison cellmateWas an actor best known for appearing in the movies "Boys in the Hood" and "Poetic Justice"His killer, Kevin Roby, is a Satanist who smeared the walls of their cell with Avery's blood after murdering him. Biggie Smalls, was born on May 21, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York. 10. Her mother, Lee Ann Daigle, was charged with murder. As noted in Corey Feldmans memoir Coreyography, both actors used hard drugs at a young age. He became a captive of the Khmer Rouge. Judith was only 10-years-old. Her first leading role came in 1993, as Myra Monkhouse inFamily Matters. Her killer called her family repeatedly to taunt them; even after the victim's death. 4. Rob Knox who acted alongside Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was stabbed to death in 2008 while trying to protect his younger brother from two men, one of whom was armed with knives. Kidnapping and murder victim, snatched from right in front of her house. 5. They were a burden on their families. After being cited for drug possession in the late 90s, Renfro earned further notoriety when he was arrested for attempting to steal a yacht, as reported by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal. True (1962). Cause of death ruled as hypothermia, investigated as homicide. She died on December 8, 2014 in Los Angeles, Died December 8, 2014, age 30; was shot to death by her husband, who then killed himselfWas an American actress and dancer who appeared on the TV show "Hit the Floor". The loss of Anton Yelchin in 2016 shook up Hollywood. He died on August 9, 1969 in Beverly Hills, California, USA. 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. About a dozen ransom notes were delivered in total. James Ellroy. 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. 209.236.71.63 You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Unreliable citations may be challenged or deleted. The rest of his body was never found. Bobby Driscoll is one of the more well-known child stars who tragically passed away before his time. Next: This famous little face didnt live past 12 years old. Victim of Gary Ridgway, who remained unidentified until 2021; previously known as "Jane Doe B-10" or "Bones 10." Early in her career, Michelle Thomas became a mainstay on sitcom television. Brittany Murphy appeared in many TV sitcoms and commercials before her big break in the 1995 hit comedy Clueless. Bobby Driscoll biographical details are courtesy of IMDb. On 8th December 1980, tragedy struck when Lennon arrived at his home a fan came up and asked for his autograph, he agreed to give it, but when he turned to walk away . 1,660 views . He was previously married to Amy Torres Camacho. He sang in church and in local gospel choirs until a group called Died December 11, 1964, age 33; was shot to death by the manager of the motel at which he was staying Was a gospel and R&B singer, songwriter, and civil rights activistShe claimed self-defense and served no jail time, but many believe Cooke was actually murdered by some of his business associates. 1. To learn more about famous people who died young, check out Members Of The 27 Club(celebrities who died at age 27) and The Most Depressing Celebrity TrainwrecksOf All Time. He left the bar complaining of a headache. Honeychurch was the mother of the two now-identified children, who were half-sisters. Died October 25, 2005, age 16; was shot to death by a gang memberWas an American actress best known for the TV series "Judging Amy"Her killers were convicted and sentenced to life without parole. They were cognitively impaired. Grimmie gained recognition after posting covers of popular songs on YouTube. Unfortunately, Renfros increasing drug use derailed his promising acting career. However, many believe Haims years of drug abuse may have indirectly contributed by taking a toll on his overall health. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. Jamie Cail, 42, of New Hampshire, was found unresponsive in a . Cause of death unknown, but was investigated as homicide. Selena was born in Lake Jackson, Texas, 50 miles southeast of Houston, to Abraham Quintanilla Jr. and Marcella Quintanilla. Originally from New York, both of Merlin's parents were from the Dominican Republic. Before the war, he was a physician & medical officer in the Cambodian army. One of the most popular current claims around people who have been supposedly controlled by MKUltra revolves around none other than Kurt Cobain. An infant abandoned near a road that died from exposure and blood loss. Surrounded by her family, the 30-year-old died shortly after the growth ruptured. Hollywood was shocked when 10-year-old child star Judith Barsi died at the hands of her suicidal father in 1988. He was of German, Irish, Died May 28, 1998, age 49; was shot to death by his wife while he slept; she then shot and killed herselfWas an actor and comedian best known as a member of the "Saturday Night Live" ensemble cast and the TV show "NewsRadio". In 1989 she also became a spokesperson for Died July 18, 1989, age 21; was shot to death in her apartment building by an obsessed fanWas an actress and model best known for co-starring on the TV show "My Sister Sam"Her killer was sentenced to life without paroleHe had obtained her address from the DMV. 7 Robert Blake Was Charged In The Murder Of His Second Wife. In 1991, Phoenix delivered another critically acclaimed performance as a narcoleptic street hustler in Gus Van Sants My Own Private Idaho. The untimely passing of a star is always a tragedy, but child actors who died at a young age seem especially tragic. In 1988, Phoenix garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of a counterculture couples son in Sidney Lumets Running on Empty. According to An Open Secret, Collins-Rector played a huge . He was previously married to Cami Sebring. Matthew Garbers career in Hollywood didnt last long, but Disney fans will always remember him for his most iconic role, as the young Michael Banks inDisneysMary Poppins. She dropped out after her junior year and moved to Manhattan, where she made a Died November 1, 2006, age 40; was strangled by a construction worker in her apartment buildingHer killer pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 25 years in prison without paroleWas best known for the movie "Waitress," which she wrote, directed, and starred in. Some celebrities were just children when tragedy struck while others were successful adults. The middle child, determined to be the daughter of serial killer Terry Peder Rasmussen, remains unidentified. In the year 1986 two teenagers named Kenneth Miller and Sean Wentz came into their bar armed with a gun. Loosely based on Jane Austens novel Emma, Clueless garnered critical acclaim and led to Murphys roles in major movies likeGirl, Interrupted;8 Mile;and Sin City. Series of kidnappings and murders committed by a young farmer with the coerced help of his nephew. She died on April 26, 1999 in Fulham, London, England, UK. Talented American leading and supporting actor, though often underrated, David Huffman was a familiar face in films and on television in the 1970s and 80s. Listed In: Leaders. Their five-year-old daughter was shot in the leg, but survivedSpear was a former Miss Venezuela and subsequent runner-up in the Miss Universe Pageant; was also a popular telenovela actressFour assailants were given sentences ranging from 24 to 26 years. The great success he had achieved, was cut short after he was tragically murdered in 1985.He had been appearing on Broadway for a number of Died February 27, 1985, age 39; was stabbed to death during a fight with a 16-year-old at a San Diego parkWas an American actor who appeared in the movies "Ice Castles", "Firefox", and "Children in the Crossfire"His killer was sentenced to 26 years to life; his next parole hearing is in 2026, at which time he will have been imprisoned for 40 years. Avery's body lay undiscovered in his cell for 38 hours, for which the corrections officers received a slap on the wrist for their negligence and dereliction of dutyRoby confessed to the murder, and remains incarcerated. Mikhail Markhasev is currently serving life in prison for the seemingly random murder. Next: This star experienced drugs and sexual abuse at a young age. Not all presumed victims have been verified to be linked. Although Carl Switzer played a variety of small roles as an adult, fans knew him as one of the rascals inLittle Rascals. The following list takes a look at well-known figures who have committed this most reviled of offenses. Four other people were murdered that night in her Los Angeles home. Also find all Bollywood Movie Information related to release date, Reviews, Web Series Information and celebrities, gossips, and entertainment news. Alexander was a hitchhiker, having run away from a broken home in Florida, and was never reported missing until years after her death. Michelle Thomas best known for playing Justine Phillips on The Cosby Show and Myra Monkhouse on Family Matters died at the age of 20 in 1998 of a rare form of stomach cancer, Intra-abdominal Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, that was mostly found in adolescent boys. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his first mix-tape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to Died March 31, 2019, age 33; was shot more than 10 times in front of his clothing store Was a rapper who won two posthumous Grammy Awards; was also a community activist and entrepreneur who was using his success to help revitalize the poverty-stricken and gang-riddled neighborhood in which he grew upA former fellow gang member and aspiring rapper Eric Holder, was arrested two days after the shooting. The case gathered a large amount of public attention, and the boy was sometimes referred to as "America's unknown child", prior to his identification in 2022. March 04, 2023 12:41 AM. After stints as a ballet dancer, Died October 30, 1968, age 69; was beaten to death in his home by 2 male prostitutes who were brothers, ages 17 and 22Was a Mexican-American actor in silent films in the 1920's and 1930'sThe brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment, but served less than 7 years. Unidentified murder victim found floating in a pond. David Akeman, the country musician known as "Stringbean," was a legend at the Grand Ole Opry and one of the stars of television's Hee Haw (1969). 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. Actor Kelsey Grammer, who first rose to fame on the classic sitcom "Cheers," has endured a number of heartbreaking tragedies throughout his life. He was previously married to Josephine Poszywak. Known previously as only "Caledonia Jane Doe" or "Cali Doe", Alexander remained unidentified until 2015. 3 Kurt Cobain. Some child actors mentioned here departed this world veryyoung, such as Poltergeist star Heather O'Rourke. He was an exceptional dancer who started dancing professionally at age eight. In 1991, the case was reopened, but it wasn't until 2000 that Michael Skakel who denied killing Moxley, but admitted to being on her property that night was charged with murder. He then shot and killed her mother before he turned the gun on himself. Authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands are investigating the sudden death of a retired American swimming champion. Born in Carlow, Ireland. (1965), The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Associated Press. His character was one of the most memorable characters ever portrayed in the series. ephantmon. Next: His famous catchphrase couldnt save this child actor. ITALY, Texas. On Nov. 30, 2013, Walker left a benefit event for his Reach Out Worldwide charity in a Porsche driven by a friend. Four victims total, three were children and one was an adult female. Jayson Williams was born on February 22, 1968 in Ritter, South Carolina, USA. He got a life term for Rob's murder and three others for wounding Dean Saunders, 23, Nicky Lee Jones, 20, and Charlie Grimley, 17. Their intention was to rob the bar and in the process, they ended up killed both of Duffy's parents. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1. The gist of this particular rumor was that Kurt was controlled by Courtney Love, who herself was an MKUltra slave. A jury ruled the incident a justifiable homicide. On May 24, 2008, Knox was stabbed five times in the chest outside a bar in London as he tried to defend his brother fromanattacker, reported the BBC. Actors and Celebrities Who Were Murdered. Switzersdeath tragically came when he was 31. The boys were sexually assaulted. There was no evidence linking Smith to the crime, and the police did not pursue any other leads. Presumed victim of probable serial killer, Victims of mass murderer and suspected serial killer, Nationally famous case of a 4 year old kidnapping victim. He and his brother Thomas were prime suspects, but the case eventually went cold. The blonde beauty and the waiter were found murdered outside of her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on June 13, 1994. Later, he became involved with avant-garde theater. Some famous people had family members who were killed while they were children and others had family members killed when they were successful adults. She was an actress, known for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011), Idlewild (2006) and Mirror Mirror (2012). Teen hitchhiker murdered for refusing sex. Eddie Hassell was born on July 16, 1990 in Corsicana, Texas, USA. She disappeared from Colorado on an unspecified date in 1983; her remains were discovered in March 1984. She was an actress, known for Rebound (2005), Judging Amy (1999) and Zoey 101 (2005). His surname was originally "Hartmann", but he later dropped the second "n". Subsequently directed for Died February 1, 1922, age 49; was shot to death in his home by an unknown assailantWas an actor and movie director during the silent film era.