Going West: True Crime

Episode 550 – Dominique Dunne
Release Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft & Heath Merryman

Overview

For their Halloween episode, Daphne and Heath explore the tragic 1982 murder of Dominique Dunne, a promising actress and star of the classic horror film Poltergeist. This case intertwines real-life horror with Hollywood myth, delves into domestic violence, and unpacks the subsequent injustices and the infamous “Poltergeist curse” said to have haunted the film’s cast. The hosts provide heartfelt storytelling, historical detail, and critical analysis, making the episode both a sobering tribute and a chilling cautionary tale about the perils lurking behind the glamor of Hollywood.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dominique Dunne’s Life and Career

• Dominique Dunne, born November 23, 1959, was the daughter of Lenny (a ranching heiress) and Dominic Dunne (a TV producer and writer).
• Grew up in Beverly Hills alongside brothers Griffin (well-known actor) and Alex.
• Attended elite schools, studied art in Florence, Italy, then returned to LA to study acting with Milton Katselas – “she was in great hands with Milton” (Daphne, 07:48).
• Broke out with her role as Dana Freeling in Poltergeist (1982), following early TV and film roles.

2. Meeting John Sweeney – The Descent Into Abuse

• Dominique met John Sweeney, an ambitious sous chef, in 1981 at age 22 – the relationship became serious quickly and they soon moved in together.
• Sweeney appeared charming but soon became possessive and abusive.
• August 27, 1982: A violent outburst led Dominique to flee to her mother’s house. Sweeney stalked her even there.
  • “He pulled large clumps of [her hair] out by the root... that scared her so bad that she fled as quickly as she was able...” (Daphne, 10:45)
• Her family was instantly suspicious of him, her brother Alex especially noting that Sweeney was "scary" after reacting violently to an interaction with a fan in a NY restaurant.
  • "[John] picked this fan up and shook him... [Alex] only described John Sweeney as scary." (Daphne, 15:41)

3. Escalating Violence and Consequences

• September 26, 1982: Sweeney strangled Dominique in another attack. She escaped by climbing out a bathroom window.
• She broke up for good, told her father: “He’s not in love with me, dad, he’s obsessed with me. It’s driving me crazy.” (Teeth, 20:02)
• The day after this, she filmed Hill Street Blues as an abuse victim – “the bruises on her face in this show... not makeup by any means” (Teeth, 21:47).

4. The Night of the Murder (~23:30–31:00)

• October 30, 1982: Dominique, at home rehearsing lines with actor David Packer, refused a request from Sweeney to see her that night.
• Sweeney showed up, insisted on talking, and an argument began outside.
• Neighbors heard screams as Sweeney strangled Dominique in the driveway – “He is doing this in public, essentially.” (Daphne, 26:13)

Reactions and Rescue Attempts

• Packer saw the attack from inside, called a friend first (“if I die tonight, John Sweeney is the one who did it”, Daphne, 26:26), and then called police.
• By the time police arrived (c. 10 min later), Sweeney was kneeling by Dominique; she was alive but unconscious.
• Sweeney confessed on the spot:
  • “I killed her. I didn’t mean to kill her. I just meant to talk to her.” (Teeth, 29:45)
• Dominique never regained consciousness and was taken off life support on November 4, 1982, just before her 23rd birthday.

5. The Trial & Outrageous Injustice (31:40–40:00)

• Sweeney’s defense: Claimed he “blacked out,” didn’t mean to kill Dominique.
• Autopsy: She was strangled for at least three minutes – “plenty of time to stop yourself or reconsider your actions.” (Teeth, 35:05)
• Sweeney’s ex-girlfriend testified (out of jury’s hearing) about prior abuse, including assaults landing her in hospital – but her testimony was withheld from the jury.

The Verdict and Aftermath

• Charges reduced; jury convicted Sweeney only of voluntary manslaughter (not murder) and misdemeanor assault.
  • “John Sweeney was sentenced to only six and a half years in prison.” (Daphne, 37:50)
  • Actually served only two and a half years.
  • “People serve more time for smoking weed. What?” (Daphne, 39:36)
• Dunne’s family protested, holding public demonstrations when Sweeney resumed work as a chef, handing out flyers:
  • “The food you will eat tonight was cooked by the hands that killed Dominique Dunne.” (Daphne, 40:12)

Family’s Grief and Advocacy

• Griffin Dunne described the rage and temptation for vigilante justice:
  • “We decided not to kill him, but to mess him up, to have his hands smashed...that was just the beginning of our madness. It carried right through. Even writing it down, I thought, I’ve gotta let this go because you can’t live in hate.” (Teeth, 41:14)
• Lenny Dunne founded Justice for Homicide Victims; Dominic Dunne became a high-profile true crime writer who advocated for victims.

6. The Poltergeist Curse: Coincidence or Myth? (44:30–52:11)

• The episode explores Hollywood’s “curse” legends—actors from Poltergeist experienced several misfortunes in quick succession:
  • Real skeletons used in film’s prop work:
    • “Later, Jobeth Williams said, ‘I always assumed that the skeletons were made by the prop department…No, those were real skeletons. That really grossed me out.’” (Daphne, 47:30)
  • Dominique Dunne murdered (1982).
  • Heather O’Rourke (Carol Anne) died at 12 from misdiagnosed illness (1988).
  • Other cast deaths: Julian Beck (cancer), Will Sampson (complications after transplant).
• “The so-called Poltergeist curse feels less like a supernatural mystery and more like a tragic series of coincidences. Reminders that behind every film, every headline, every urban legend are real people with families, dreams, and futures that were cut short.” (Teeth, 51:11)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “More often than not, the scariest stories don’t actually come from the screen, but instead, they come from real life.” (Teeth, 02:01)
• “He’s not in love with me, dad, he’s obsessed with me. It’s driving me crazy.” (Dominique to her father, reported by Teeth, 20:17)
• “The food you will eat tonight was cooked by the hands that killed Dominique Dunne.” (Griffin & Lenny Dunne’s protest flyer, 40:16)
• “I just lost my temper and blew it again.” (Sweeney to police, quoted by Teeth, 34:29)
• “This is a case pure and simple of murder, murder with malice.” (Judge Katz, quoted by Daphne, 38:17)
• “Even writing it down, I thought, I’ve gotta let this go because you can’t live in hate.” (Griffin Dunne, reported by Teeth, 41:14)
• “The true horror of this story lies not in the paranormal, but in the very real loss that still lingers decades later.” (Teeth, 52:11)

Timeline of Important Segments (Timestamps)

• 03:08 – Introduction to Dominique Dunne’s background
• 07:55 – Dunne’s early acting career and landing Poltergeist
• 10:36 – Meeting Sweeney and the onset of abuse
• 13:10 – Family’s suspicion of Sweeney; red flags
• 19:33 – Escalating violence, Dominic’s attempts to break away
• 21:47 – Dunne’s bruised appearance on Hill Street Blues
• 23:27 – The night of the murder: Sweeney attacks Dunne
• 31:40 – The trial begins and Sweeney’s defense
• 35:04 – Prosecution reveals pattern of Sweeney’s abuse
• 37:50 – Sweeney’s sentence and the jury’s verdict
• 40:16 – Dunne family’s retaliation, restaurant flyer protest
• 41:13 – Griffin Dunne’s struggle with rage and justice
• 44:46 – Transition to “Poltergeist curse,” myths, and tragedies
• 47:13 – Real skeletons used in filming Poltergeist
• 48:58 – Heather O’Rourke’s misdiagnosis and death
• 51:11 – Reflection on the reality of loss vs. Hollywood myth

Final Thoughts

Daphne and Heath deliver a gripping, sensitive, and well-researched account of Dominique Dunne’s murder and the shadow it cast over Hollywood, the Dunne family, and true crime history. The episode serves as both a somber cautionary tale about domestic abuse and a deconstruction of myth (the “Poltergeist curse”), always centering on the real victims behind the legends.

Content warning: The episode contains discussion of domestic violence, murder, and failures of the judicial system.

For more true crime stories, subscribe to Going West: True Crime. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.