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Tracy Patton
They say Hollywood is where dreams are made, a seductive city where many flock to get rich, be adored and capture America's heart. But when the spotlight turns off, fame, fortune and lives can disappear in an instant. When TV producer Roy Raiden was found dead in a Canyon near LA in 1983, there were many questions surrounding his death. The last person seen with him was Laney Jacobs, a seductive cocaine dealer who desperately wanted to be part of the Hollywood elite. Together, they were trying to break into the movie industry. But things took a dark turn when a million dollars worth of cocaine and cash went missing. From Wondry comes a new season of the hit show Hollywood and Crime the Cotton Club Murder. I'm Tracy Patton. Join myself and Josh Lucas as we guide you through the gritty underbelly of Hollywood's golden age, unpacking a gripping story of ambition and betrayal that led to a brutal murder. I'm about to play a clip from Hollywood in Crime the Cotton Club Murder. Follow Hollywood and Crime on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Josh Lucas
Wonder.
Laney Jacobs
Lainey Jacobs had a pounding headache. A trip to Vegas with friends on a private jet had been the perfect getaway. But but the endless supply of coke and top shelf liquor caught up with her. Now all she craved was her own bed and sleep. It was early Monday, April 4, 1983. Her limo crept through the quiet neighborhood of Sherman Oaks, California, then stopped in front of her house. Once she was inside, Laney kicked off her shoes. She headed to the nursery to check on her baby, 5 month old, Dax, still fast asleep. Even her nanny, Miriam, hadn't stirred yet. One more task to do before she could crash. One of her distributors was going to drop by later for a pickup. She needed to set aside a stack of kilos from the garage safe. It was quiet as she flipped on the light. Her Mercedes and Porsche sat gleaming in their parking spots. She headed for the storage closet where she kept a hidden safe. Then she froze. The door to the closet hung open. It was always closed. Laney raced over and slid open the panel to the safe, then spun the combination. There should have been 11 kilos of coke inside. Instead, it was empty. Laney sprinted upstairs in a panic. She had another safe in her bedroom hidden inside a wal, but when she flung open her door, her stomach dropped. The door to that safe was wide open too. And $270,000 in cash also gone. Lainey paced across the room and rubbed her temples. This was a nightmare. She purchased the coke from Colombians on the come, which meant they sold it to her without any cash up front. Her job was to sell it and pay them back with a profit. They wouldn't care whether the merchandise was stolen. They just wanted their money. The street value of 11 kilos was almost $900,000. And that wasn't counting the 270 grand. Over a million dollars in drugs and cash stolen. Lainey thought hard. She'd have to call Milan Belachas in Miami. He'd be livid. Plus, the Colombians needed to be. She felt a wave of dread. If Laney didn't find the culprit and the cocaine, she could end up paying with her life. But Laney already knew who robbed her, and she vowed to rain down holy hell on him and anyone else involved with this fiasco.
Tracy Patton
Binge all episodes of the Cotton Club Murder and other Hollywood and crime stories early and ad free on Wondery Plus. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.
Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard: Episode Summary
Episode Title: Wondery Presents: Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder
Release Date: December 17, 2024
In this gripping episode of "Armchair Expert," hosted by Dax Shepard under the Armchair Umbrella banner, the narrative delves into the dark and tumultuous underbelly of Hollywood's golden age. The episode, titled "Wondery Presents: Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder," takes listeners on a journey through ambition, betrayal, and the deadly consequences that ensued from a high-stakes game of crime and power.
The episode opens with Tracy Patton setting the stage for the harrowing tale:
"They say Hollywood is where dreams are made, a seductive city where many flock to get rich, be adored and capture America's heart. But when the spotlight turns off, fame, fortune and lives can disappear in an instant."
[00:00]
This introduction highlights the duality of Hollywood—a place of glamour and opportunity juxtaposed with underlying dangers and hidden turmoil.
The focus narrows to the mysterious death of TV producer Roy Raiden in 1983. Tracy Patton narrates the initial circumstances:
"When TV producer Roy Raiden was found dead in a Canyon near LA in 1983, there were many questions surrounding his death."
[00:00]
Roy Raiden's demise becomes the focal point of the investigation, igniting speculations and uncovering a web of deceit.
The narrative introduces Laney Jacobs, portrayed by Josh Lucas, as the last person seen with Roy Raiden before his untimely death. Laney's character is depicted as a seductive cocaine dealer striving to ascend the ranks of Hollywood's elite. Her ambitions, however, lead her into perilous situations.
Laney Jacobs recounts a seemingly ordinary evening that spirals into chaos:
"Lainey Jacobs had a pounding headache. A trip to Vegas with friends on a private jet had been the perfect getaway. But the endless supply of coke and top shelf liquor caught up with her. Now all she craved was her own bed and sleep."
[01:23]
This moment underscores the lifestyle and pressures faced by individuals trying to maintain their status in Hollywood's high-paced environment.
The tension escalates when Laney discovers a shocking betrayal:
"She froze. The door to the closet hung open. It was always closed. Laney raced over and slid open the panel to the safe, then spun the combination. There should have been 11 kilos of coke inside. Instead, it was empty."
[02:15]
The theft of a substantial amount of cocaine and cash sets off a chain reaction of fear and retribution. Laney realizes the gravity of the situation:
"Lainey paced across the room and rubbed her temples. This was a nightmare."
[03:10]
Laney grapples with the repercussions of the missing drugs and cash. The stakes are life-threatening, especially considering her dealings with Colombian suppliers who demand their money back:
"She felt a wave of dread. If Laney didn't find the culprit and the cocaine, she could end up paying with her life."
[04:00]
This revelation exposes the dangerous intersections between Hollywood's glamorous facade and its criminal undercurrents.
Despite the looming threats, Laney is resolute in her quest for justice and restitution:
"Laney already knew who robbed her, and she vowed to rain down holy hell on him and anyone else involved with this fiasco."
[04:00]
Her determination sets the stage for a confrontation that is both inevitable and fateful.
Tracy Patton wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to explore more such enthralling stories:
"Binge all episodes of the Cotton Club Murder and other Hollywood and crime stories early and ad free on Wondery Plus."
[04:24]
This closing remark not only promotes continued engagement but also reinforces the podcast's commitment to uncovering the hidden truths of Hollywood's notorious cases.
"Wondery Presents: Hollywood & Crime: The Cotton Club Murder" is a compelling addition to the "Armchair Expert" series, providing a nuanced exploration of crime within Hollywood's illustrious history. Through meticulous storytelling and vivid character portrayals, the episode captivates listeners, shedding light on the precarious balance between ambition and morality in the pursuit of fame.
For those intrigued by true crime stories that intertwine with the allure of Hollywood, this episode offers a masterful blend of suspense, drama, and insightful commentary.
Follow "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard" on:
Join Wondery Plus for early access and an ad-free experience by visiting wondery.com/links/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/.