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- [00:01]
Tracy Patton
Wondery plus subscribers can binge all episodes of Hollywood and Crime the Cotton Club Murder early and ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.
- [00:27]
Josh Lucas
The California sun beats down on Caswell Canyon Road, about 60, 65 miles north of Los Angeles. It's 10:30am Friday, June 10, 1983. A pickup truck bounces down the dirt track, leaving a trail of rising dust. The truck comes to a stop where the road dead ends. A landscape of gnarled trees and scrub brush stretches out in every direction. The area is part of the Angeles National Forest and spreads over 700,000 acres. When Glenn Fisher steps outside the truck, his shirt is already soaked with sweat. It's almost 91 degrees, but he's used to working outdoors. Fisher is a second generation beekeeper. After weeks of searching, he hopes he's found the perfect location to store his beehives. The area is filled with buckwheat and sage. The bees would have plenty of food to produce quality honey. And it's so remote it's unlikely people could disturb the sensitive hives. So far, so good. Fisher turns toward the truck. A forest ranger sits behind the wheel. He tells her there's a clearing he wants to check out, then heads toward a nearby path. He walks several feet and glances down. There's broken glass scattered on the ground. A flash of metal catches his eye. He crouches down, squinting. Looks like bullet casings. Maybe somebody used the area for target practice. Fisher's disappointed the beehives and gunshots aren't a good mix. He moves towards some dry brush when a foul odor hits him. Maybe a dead cow could have strayed from a ranch and then encountered a bear. Curiosity yanks him forward. Despite his creeping unease, he keeps walking until he catches sight of an odd shape sticking out of the dusty soil. Fisher inches closer, then recoils. It's no cow. This is a human. Or what's left of it. He can see a skeletal hand jutting out of the ground with its index and middle finger extended. Fisher makes out a pair of shriveled legs underneath some faded blue fabric. It looks like a man's suit. At the top, where the collar is, are remnants of a head. Jesus, he thinks. Fisher stares, disbelief twisting his face. But it's real. With a surge of adrenaline, he bolts towards the truck. There's a dead man back there, he shouts to the stunned ranger. They need to call the police right away. Without another word, they climb into the truck and speed to the ranger station two miles away. Instead of finding a haven for his bees. Fisher has found a dead man in a suit, one hand clawing at the sky. It was just the beginning of a twisted Hollywood mystery.
- [03:49]
Tracy Patton
This episode is brought to you by Audible, your destination for best selling audiobooks, exclusive Audible originals and more. New members can try audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com cotton or text cotton to 500 500.
- [04:08]
Carl
The other day a friend started telling me about their New Year's resolutions. And I said, whoa, it's kind of early, don't you think? And they said, not for me. Because if I know my resolution plan now I can enjoy the holidays knowing how I'm going to get everything back under control. And that got me thinking. I'm Carl, the CEO of Bodi. That's Bodi with an I. What if I made you an offer so good that you'd be all set with a proven fitness and nutrition plan to start the new year. But you need to sign up by Christmas. It's called the New Year's Jumpstart sale. You'll save 72% on an annual subscription to the BODI library of 130 proven step by step programs like 21 Day Fix and P90X plus our easy to follow nutrition plans. And check this out. When you sign up today, you have a chance to win $10,000 every time you log a workout in December and January. But this offer ends Christmas Day. So get a Jumpstart with a great deal on Bodi's proven fitness and nutrition plans. But you need to sign up now@bodi.com that's B O D I.com.
- [05:11]
Tracy Patton
From Wondry. I'm Tracy Patton, along with my co host Josh Lucas, and this is Hollywood in crime. The Cotton Club Murder. It was the early 1980s. Hollywood glittered with money, movies and a dark secret. Cocaine. In this world of excess, Roy Raiden craved wealth, power and fame as a movie producer. He thought he was on his way until gunshots ended his life. The story unfolded like a Hollywood thriller with a cast worthy of the silver screen. There was Robert Evans, a famous producer driven to make a comeback. But what price was he willing to pay to be back on top? And there was the woman at the center of it all, Lainey Jacobs. She had her own Hollywood aspirations, but also a dark past. Was Laney a pawn in a dangerous game? Or was she pulling the strings behind Raiden's death? His murder would be forever linked to the film they were so desperate to make, the Cotton Club. The trail would go cold until it was ignited by another murder. It would take more than five years of dogged investigation and undercover police work to find out who killed Roy Radin and why. This six part series reveals the hidden demons that shaped Roy Radin, Laney Jacobs and Robert Evans. It's a story about three people bound by a shared dream, yet divided by their desperate ambition. The prize meant everything and the cost was someone's life. This is episode one La Rubia.
- [07:33]
Josh Lucas
It'S just after 2:30pm on June 10, 1983, when Detective Carlos Avila and his partner Willie Ahn arrive at Caswell Canyon. The two men are with the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Earlier that morning they got word about a body dump that a beekeeper stumbled on deep in a remote canyon off the 5 Freeway. The two detectives get out of the car and stretch. Traffic had been the usual bumper to bumper out of la. The Los Angeles Police Department handles crime within the city, but the body was found near a town called Gorman. Gorman is part of an area that stretches over 3,000 square miles of mountains, waterways, valleys and small towns. This entire region falls under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. That means the investigation lands squarely on the shoulders of sheriff's homicide detectives. Avila and an walk towards the crime scene. The area is already buzzing with sheriff's deputies. Avila gestures towards the body. It's cordoned off with crime scene tape. There's our guy. Not gonna be pretty. Carlos Avila is 49, stocky with graying hair. He takes off his jacket and rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt. Then catches a familiar smell. The decaying body. Avila is a seasoned homicide detective with 23 years under his belt. He's no stranger to gruesome crime scenes. He reaches the body first in a dry creek bed. Spent bullet casings litter the ground around the lifeless form. Looks to be the remains of a large man wearing a three piece blue suit. Avila leans over to get a closer look. One entire side of the victim's face appears blown off. There are jagged tears in the victim's vest and jacket where several buttons are missing. To Avila, it indicates a struggle between the victim and his killer or killers. He fixes his gaze on the hand protruding from the ground. A sheriff's deputy quips that it must have been offering up a silent prayer. The comment hangs in the air. Gallows humor. Detective an swats at a buzzing fly. Guy's got good taste. He points to the feet. One is clad in a Gucci loafer. The other shoe is strewn to the side. A tie with the Pierre Cardin logo still visible dangles in the hot breeze. Avila looks at the remains. Something feels off. The pant pockets, both front and back have been emptied of their contents. The wrists are bare where a watch would usually be. An suggests maybe a robbery gone bad, but Avila doesn't think so. Those Gucci loafers scream Beverly Hills. You don't take someone this far out of town for a quick mugging. An hour later, the medical examiner arrives to collect the remains for autopsy. Avila and an head to a nearby sheriff station to file their report. But there's a nagging feeling in Avila's gut. A methodical detective. He lives by the motto look slow, look close. Every detail, no matter how insignificant, could unlock the truth. That afternoon, with dusk closing in, he returns to the crime scene alone. It's quiet, just a few deputies packing up to leave. He pulls out a filtering screen, then carefully sifts through the earth where the body was found. A few minutes later, the mesh catches something. He extracts his find. A low whistle escapes his lips. It's a fragment of a jawbone studded with several teeth. No id, no witnesses, just a collection of grim souvenirs. The teeth could be the key to unlocking the victim's identity once they get a hit on the missing person's database. For now, without a name, he's John Doe number 94.
- [11:59]
Tracy Patton
It was Friday, January 7, 1983, four months before Caswell Canyon became a bloody gravesite for John Doe number 94. Miles away in the sprawl of Los Angeles, a different landscape shimmered. Benedict Canyon was surrounded by lush lawns, manicured gardens, and sprawling mansions. Bentleys and Jaguars lined the driveways. Here, the story was just beginning. Laney Jacobs threaded her way through a crowded cocktail party in one of those exclusive homes. She leaned against a mirrored wall and took a sip of her martini. The event was a retirement party for her friend Carol Johnston's father. He used to be a Hollywood studio big wig. The guest list was supposed to be brimming with power players. Carol had even promised her an introduction to someone special. Laney wasn't holding her breath. The room was overflowing with geriatric types. She was going to need a boost to get through this night. Laney darted into a marble bathroom and locked the door. Then she pulled a gold compact from her purse and flipped it open. Inside was a small mound of white powder. Closing her eyes, she held the compact up to her nose and snorted. Quickly, twice. The world seemed to sharpen. Lainey lifted her chin. A cool reflection met her gaze in the mirror. Highlighted blonde hair framed her Sharp cheekbones, skin smooth as porcelain. Polished elegance clung to her like a second skin. Her good looks had served her well, but she refused to be defined by them. There was a new ambition that burned beneath her glossy surface. Lainey Jacobs wanted to be a movie producer. At 35, the path might not be simple, but her past was filled with calculated risks. And she had something more working for her. An iron will. Laney adjusted her evening gown and rejoined the crowd. A dark haired woman with dangly earrings and frosted lipstick approached her. It was Carol, the hostess. There was a glint in her eye and a man beside her. Lainey Jacobs, meet Roy Raiden. You two are going to get along like a house on fire. Laney looked up. Roy Raiden, dark haired with a beard, towered over her at 6 foot 1. A three piece pinstripe suit, perfectly tailored, draped his heavyset frame. A fedora hat and his antique Kane added theatrical flair. Roy extended his hand. Pleasure to meet you. He boomed. There was a definite New York accent. Laney smiled up at him and extended her hand. Her own voice purred with Southern charm. Likewise, Roy. Carol winked at Laney. She said Roy was a successful variety show producer on the East Coast. He had just moved to LA too, and he was looking to expand into movies. Laney's eyebrow cocked with interest. She didn't say anything about her own agenda. She never liked to reveal the hand she was playing until she was ready. A few minutes later, the two of them were tucked away on an Italian leather sofa, talking like old pals. Laney retrieved her compact and opened it. Raiden's eyes lit up. They spoke the same language. Raiden launched into explaining his business. He brought together aging crooners, old time comedians and entertainers to perform in touring variety shows. Small town crowds ate it up. Now he was looking to expand his empire in movies and tv and he wanted to partner with the right Hollywood players. A few snorts later, Laney spun her own tale of success. She was starting fresh in LA too. Said she was a successful clothing designer with a knack for savvy investing. Laney wasn't necessarily lying, just omitting some details. As the crowd thinned, Raiden declared it was too early to call it a night. They should go to his hotel. Laney agreed and motioned Carol over to join the after party. She felt a tug of excitement. She had a feeling Roy Raiden had a lot to offer. And Laney, ever the shrewd gambler, was eager to see where the game would lead.
- [16:45]
Josh Lucas
A half hour later, Roy Raiden burst through the front door of his hotel suite near West Hollywood. His assistant, Jonathan Lawson, jumped to his feet from the couch. Laney and Carol glided in behind Roy, where introductions followed. Jonathan excused himself and then reappeared with a bottle of Tattinger on ice and a tray of hors d'oeuvres. Roy smiled. Despite being his assistant for just one year, Jonathan was in perfect sync with Roy's unpredictable demands. But as they clinked glasses, Roy felt a prickle of anxiety. He'd painted himself as a picture of success for Laney, and it was true. He had made millions and was confident he'd make more. But the past few years had been a whirlwind of trouble for Roy Raiden Enterprises. The business wasn't raking in cash like it used to, and the accounting was a tangled mess. Then he'd weathered that nasty scandal back in the Hamptons. The whole thing was a stain on his image and one he desperately needed to disappear. But Roy had lots of irons in the fire. He still had some show tours scheduled and was managing a TV actor named Damond Wilson. The champagne slid easily down his throat and Laney had already whipped out more coke. Roy felt Jonathan's silent judgment from across the room. He'd promised to cut back on the blow, but there was always time for that later. He took a big snort. Success in LA could be his redemption. And meeting Laney was perfect timing. A new connection. Fun and easygoing. And she had plenty of coke. Yes, meeting Laney Jacobs was a very good omen.
- [18:47]
Tracy Patton
Miami Beach Friday, July 1979 Four and a half years before Roy Radin was murdered, 32 year old Laney Jacobs raced out of the offices of Biermann, Sonnet Bailey, and Shohat, Attorneys at Law. She worked there as a legal secretary, her days measured by stacks of tedious paperwork and legal transcriptions. The practice was booming, thanks to the city's never ending drug arrests. Laney walked to the parking lot and slid into her old VW Beetle. Two pops of the clutch and it was ready to rumble. One day she'd have something sleek to drive, maybe a Mercedes or Porsche. She cruised into the heart of the city. Open air. Cafes buzzed with voices and music. Laney loved Miami. The weather, the nightlife from Little Havana to Coconut Grove. She moved here 12 years ago after ditching Methodist Junior College back in Georgia. School was never her thing. Most of her high school friends were married with kids. By now. She tried marriage a lot. By the time Karen Laney Jacobs was 28, she'd been hitched five times none of them stuck for long. Trust in love? No thanks. Her troubled childhood in Alabama had taught her that much. Her father drank and talked with his fists. Her mother escaped that hell only to marry and divorce again when she was 15. Laney got shipped off to her God fearing grandparents. Their weekends revolved around services, Sunday school and belting out hymns. They tried to instill the Lord into her, but Laney had more of the devil. She ran around with the fast kids who smoked and drank. She couldn't wait to get out on her own. Laney pulled up and parked outside her second floor garage apartment. She ran up the rickety stairs and opened the door to her cramped studio. Two hours later, she was transformed. Gone was the buttoned up office suit. Now she sparkled in a pale blue bell bottom jumpsuit, her dark blonde hair loose, almost ready to conquer. Friday night, Lainey grabbed a tiny vial from her nightstand. She unscrewed the cap, snorting a quick hit of cocaine. Coke was a revelation she had discovered in Miami. It ignited her senses. With each hit of magic dust, she could step into any Persona she desired. But that wasn't enough. Partying and dead end jobs had filled Laney's 20s. Now, at 32, she was ready to kickstart her new plan. Miami was teeming with wealthy Latinos, jet setters and a new breed of in crowd. They were called cocaine cowboys, shadowy figures who smuggled and distributed the white powder. Laney had been working a fresh angle, one that could guarantee the lifestyle she wanted. And she knew who could help her. Someone who had a line on more than just good coke. Thanks to Audible, our presenting sponsor. Imagine having a personal storyteller, a private tutor, and an entertainment guru all rolled into one. Available at your fingertips 24 7. That's the magic of Audible, your gateway to a world of audio adventures. There's something for every taste and mood. Whether you're looking for pulse pounding thrillers, insightful nonfiction, or even classic literature, Audible is the place to discover your next favorite title. And if you're into true crime like I am, I recommend the audiobook the Devil at His Elbow by Valerie Borlein. It's a deep dive into the Murdaugh family murders, uncovering layers of the case that go beyond the headlines. As an Audible member, you can choose one title per month to keep from their entire catalog. New members can try audible free for 30 days. Visit audible.com cotton or text cotton to 500500 that's audible.com cotton or text cotton c o t t o n to.
- [23:25]
Damond Wilson
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- [24:31]
Josh Lucas
Saturday morning, June 11, 1983 Los Angeles Sheriff's Department headquarters Downtown a massive old stone building near the 101 freeway. Detective Carlos Avila takes another sip of lukewarm coffee. It's been 24 hours since the unidentified body of a man was discovered in Caswell Canyon. He'd been shot to death. Since then, the LAPD Missing persons files coughed up a possible match. Roy Alexander Radin, a 33 year old theatrical producer from New York, vanished Friday, May 13. The clothes, the description, everything lines up with the body they found. Their next step is getting dental records from New York, hopefully confirming the victim's identity. Avila turns his attention to the autopsy report. His partner Willy on states the findings. Ten round perforations to the back of the head, starting at the crown and going down the base. Avila digests the information. Ten perforations didn't necessarily mean ten separate bullets. The body's poor condition made determining the exact number close to impossible. The report also indicates that the bullets are consistent with that of a large caliber shotgun. One bullet penetrated through the left front side of the skull and exited through the left side of the scalp. That was the fatal wound. An keeps reading. There are multiple fragments of facial bones, including the maxillary bone and lower jawbone, that are shattered and fragmented. Avila suspects that level of damage could be caused by an explosive device. On offers alternative possibilities. Blunt force trauma or another shot to the face. Avila shrugs. For now, answers are elusive, just like the truth behind the victim's identity. But the next day, Sunday, the forensic dental report confirms what they suspected. The victim is Roy Raiden. Now they need to piece together how he ended up dead in a remote canyon.
- [27:00]
Tracy Patton
Miami beach Friday, Summer, 1979 the Miami sunset was a thin line of red over the ocean as Laney pulled into the parking lot of Club Mutiny. This was the best time of night, she thought, when all the excitement lay ahead. A line of people had already formed next to the velvet rope, but Laney knew the bouncer. He grinned and waved her past the crowd. She glided up a staircase and showed the hostess a Members Only card embossed with a winking pirate. Inside the club, a kaleidoscope of lights bounced off mirrors. Bodies pulsated to the disco beat on the dance floor. The Mutiny was the place to be here. Celebrities and socialites mingled with drug lords and exiled politicians and everyone dressed to kill. It had taken relentless networking, but each night Laney edged a little closer to the real Miami power brokers, the ones who controlled the flow of the purest cocaine in North America. And that was what Laney wanted to be a major player in the high stakes world of drug smuggling. Nightclubs were Laney's classrooms, filled with men who held the answers she needed, and she wasn't shy about asking questions. What drove the price? How did the product flow through the city? Who pulled the strings in other countries? A flash of her smile and a sultry whisper could coax a secret out of any man, and Laney was a quick study. Laney climbed the stairs to the upper deck of the club. Tucked into a private booth, she spotted a familiar figure in a white linen suit. Danny was a mid level dealer she'd been cultivating. Her sweet talking had scored a small time gigantic. Danny arranged for some airline pilot to use her home phone number as a contact. She slid into the booth. A mirrored tray with lines of white powder sat on the table. Danny extended it to Laney, then plucked a gold spoon from his necklace chain. She leaned down and inhaled. He reached into his suit pocket and took out a wad of cash.
- [29:21]
Josh Lucas
500 bucks for doing me that favor.
- [29:24]
Tracy Patton
Lainey felt a spark of excitement. She grabbed the roll and stuffed it in her handbag. I can do more, you know. Danny lowered his head.
- [29:34]
Josh Lucas
I might have something else for you. More money, but a bigger risk.
- [29:39]
Tracy Patton
Lainey said she was all ears.
- [29:42]
Josh Lucas
It's a little errand. A quick trip to the airport.
- [29:46]
Tracy Patton
Where am I flying? He pinched his nose and sniffed, then looked into her eyes.
- [29:52]
Josh Lucas
Who said you'd be flying?
- [29:54]
Tracy Patton
Laney's pulse quickened. This was the break she'd been waiting for.
- [30:07]
Josh Lucas
It's Monday morning at the Sheriff's Department headquarters. Detectives Avila and An huddle with two colleagues assigned to the Raiden homicide. There's already a file On Raiden based on the missing person report. It also includes intel from a private investigator named John O'Grady. He was hired by Raiden's mother. At least they're not starting from scratch. The details paint a conflicting picture. Money, success as a theatrical producer, a fancy mansion back east, and an ugly scandal. A young actress claimed she was raped at one of his parties. Raiden had been charged with possession of cocaine, illegal possession of a handgun and threatening the woman. He was sentenced to probation and a fine. Another man was eventually charged with her assault. In the month leading up to his death, Raiden had been working on a movie deal with a woman named Elaine or Laney Jacobs. They don't know much about her or this deal. The details get even murkier. On the night of his disappearance, on Friday, May 13, around 8:45pm Raiden was met by Jacobs at his hotel. They left in a limo and headed to La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. But Raiden and Jacobs never arrived. After that, police tried to track down Jacobs, but she had split town. She'd briefly talked to the investigators on the phone and said that Raiden got out of the limo after an argument. Now she was nowhere to be found. There was more in the file. Raiden had been taking meetings with a producer named Robert Evans. Avila knows who Evans is. He's the guy who produced Chinatown and a string of Hollywood hit movies. A big shot in a town full of big shots. Detective Ahn mentions another detail from the report. Raiden's assistant, Jonathan Lawson, claimed that 11 kilos of cocaine and $270,000 in cash had been stolen from Jacob's residence. Together, it was worth almost a million bucks. Avila raises an eyebrow. The story just got a lot more interest. O'Grady, the private eye who investigated the case, had his own opinion. He was quoted in the papers as saying, I'm convinced that he's dead. Through organized crime trying to infiltrate the motion picture industry. Avila doesn't know what to make of that. He thumbs through the rest of the file with little evidence of foul play. The missing person's investigation had stalled out. He asks if there's any word on Lawson's whereabouts. A detective says they've tracked him down in New York City. Lawson says Raiden was running scared the last week of his life. Raiden even arranged for a buddy to give him protection the night he vanished. Turns out the guys demand Wilson. Wilson is an actor. His claim to fame was playing the son on the 70s TV sitcom Sanford and Son. According to an interview with LAPD, Raiden was his longtime friend, and recently he'd become Wilson's manager. The actor had been part of Raiden's roadshow tour. Raiden's funeral is June 16th in New York. Wilson will probably be out of town. Talk to him as soon as he gets back. Avila smiles thinly. A sitcom actor as a bodyguard. If Wilson was supposed to protect Raiden that night, he turned in one hell of a lousy performance.
- [34:02]
Tracy Patton
Summer 1979 Laney fiddled with the car radio, then tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Don't overthink it, she muttered. The instructions were simple. Pick up a suitcase from baggage claim. Deliver it to Danny. Her first big chance to prove herself. A few minutes later, she arrived at Miami International Airport. Laney snagged a spot in short term parking. She rummaged through her purse and pulled out a claim ticket. On the back was a description of the suitcase. A quick swipe of lipstick and she stepped out of the car. Then she disappeared into the throng of travelers. Laney walked casually to the designated carousel. Her tailored skirt and crisp blouse helped her blend seamlessly with other business travelers. She waited, then checked her watch. Any minute now. The conveyor belt sputtered away, dumping luggage, strollers, and backpacks. Laney scanned the carousel. After a few minutes, she spotted it. A large, dark brown suitcase. A voice startled her. Need any help, ma'am? It was a porter. She forced a smile, hiding her nerves. No, thank you. I've got it. Laney reached down and grabbed the suitcase handle. It was heavy. She tried to look nonchalant as she lugged the bag from the terminal past some security guards. Back at her car, she popped the trunk and heaved the suitcase in, then looked around. No one there. Laney unlocked the latches. A gasp escaped her mouth. The bag was packed with tightly wrapped bricks of cocaine. She'd never seen that much. Laney exhaled when Miami International Airport was in her distant rear view. Twenty minutes later, she was cruising by the ocean with enough coke to land her in prison for a long time. She shuddered at the thought. Laney pulled into a parking lot near the beach. She spotted Danny leaning against his sleek Jaguar. He strolled over to her VW while she opened the trunk. He unlocked the suitcase and checked the contents.
- [36:27]
Josh Lucas
Any problems?
- [36:29]
Tracy Patton
Laney shook her head. None whatsoever. Silently, he handed her a leather briefcase. Laney snapped open the flap. Inside were rows of crisp $100 bills. Her breath caught in her throat. Danny smiled.
- [36:46]
Josh Lucas
I'm feeling generous. 50 grand for your services, he promised.
- [36:51]
Tracy Patton
There was more where that came from. If she was game Laney didn't hesitate. No more typing up endless legal briefs. No more nine to five. Laney had a new calling. And it paid in cold, hard cash. She was swapping her title as a legal secretary for a new one. Coke dealer.
- [37:21]
Damond Wilson
The search for truth never ends. Introducing June's Journey, a hidden object mobile game with a captivating story. Connect with friends, explore the Roaring Twenties and enjoy thrilling activities and challenges while supporting environmental causes. After seven years, the adventure continues with.
- [37:39]
Tracy Patton
Our Immersive Travels feature.
- [37:40]
Damond Wilson
Explore distant cultures and engage in exciting experiences. There's always something new to discover. Are you ready? Download June's Journey now on Android or iOS.
- [38:03]
Josh Lucas
Two sheriff's detectives arrive at the gated home of actor Damond Wilson in Truesdale Estates, a tony neighborhood in Beverly Hills. It's June 19, 1983, nine days since Roy Raiden's body was found. His funeral was held just three days ago in New York. The LAPD investigation into Raiden's disappearance revealed that Wilson was the actor's manager and good friend. Close enough friends for Raiden to share that he was scared and needed a bodyguard. The detectives are hoping Wilson can shed light on Raiden's final night. An assistant meets them in the driveway and escorts them inside to the living room. A few seconds later, Damond Wilson walks in with a confident swagger. At 36, he still possesses an easy charm that made him so popular on his hit show, Sanford and Son. One of the detectives sets up a tape recorder. The officer asks Wilson to take them Back to Friday, May 13th.
- [39:08]
Detective Carlos Avila
What time did you go over to?
- [39:10]
Detective Willie Ahn
It was about 2:45 and my secretary dropped me off.
- [39:16]
Detective Carlos Avila
What was the end result of that meeting at the hotel?
- [39:18]
Detective Willie Ahn
He asked me to have dinner with him. He said, I gotta meet some producers. I don't want you to act like you're with me. I want you to like to see him to see me.
- [39:27]
Detective Carlos Avila
Okay. On the 13th, when he invited you to dinner, did he indicate a fool was going to dinner for him and how he was going to get there?
- [39:33]
Detective Willie Ahn
He said that someone was picking him up.
- [39:35]
Detective Carlos Avila
He didn't say who?
- [39:36]
Detective Willie Ahn
No, sir. Not to me.
- [39:38]
Detective Carlos Avila
Okay.
- [39:39]
Josh Lucas
Ultimately, Wilson lights a cigarette and casually mentions that his secretary Amelia joined him for dinner that night.
- [39:46]
Detective Carlos Avila
After Amelia came, what'd you do then?
- [39:48]
Detective Willie Ahn
We got my Mercedes.
- [39:50]
Detective Carlos Avila
Where did you go?
- [39:51]
Detective Willie Ahn
We drove around. I stopped at the gas station, got a pack of cigarettes, Merits. We drove back around again. Nothing. So I drove back around and parked in the same spot. And the limousine pulled up. I saw a lady get out with a lot of flashy Stuff.
- [40:04]
Josh Lucas
The detective leans in.
- [40:06]
Detective Carlos Avila
Can you describe the woman for it?
- [40:07]
Detective Willie Ahn
I cannot. I just saw Glittery from that distance. I don't know.
- [40:11]
Detective Carlos Avila
Do you know a girl named Elaine Jacobs? You ever heard that name? Had you ever met her?
- [40:16]
Detective Willie Ahn
No, sir.
- [40:17]
Detective Carlos Avila
He ever mentioned her name?
- [40:18]
Josh Lucas
Do you?
- [40:19]
Detective Willie Ahn
No, sir.
- [40:20]
Josh Lucas
The detective pauses. If Wilson's account is accurate, Raiden might have been hesitant to share the full picture.
- [40:28]
Detective Carlos Avila
At any rate, after the gal got out, she apparently looked classy the way she was dressed. She went inside the hotel?
- [40:33]
Tracy Patton
Yes, sir.
- [40:33]
Detective Carlos Avila
Ultimately came out. They got in the. You saw them get in the limo?
- [40:38]
Detective Willie Ahn
Not exactly. Just the group take off. And I said finally, and we started following. When they turned right on Fairfax, a car pulled out onto Sunset Boulevard. It turned out was about four or five car lens behind them. The light caught me right there.
- [40:53]
Detective Carlos Avila
At any rate, once you stopped at the signal, you never saw the car again.
- [40:56]
Detective Willie Ahn
Watch this.
- [40:57]
Josh Lucas
Wilson inhales a cigarette and blows out a smoke ring.
- [41:01]
Detective Carlos Avila
What does that mean?
- [41:02]
Detective Willie Ahn
Smoke disappeared, sir.
- [41:07]
Josh Lucas
After losing the limo, Wilson says he went straight to the restaurant. Raiden wasn't there. He and his secretary then dined on veal piccata and linguini. A look of disbelief flickers between the detectives. Why was Wilson so unconcerned about Raiden's absence?
- [41:25]
Detective Willie Ahn
Let me just say one thing, sir. Roy Raiden, he is not the most dependable person in the world. You know the story, the proverbial thing of the boy who cries wolf. You keep saying wolf, wolf, wolf. And one day people go, come, we.
- [41:38]
Josh Lucas
Heard that crap before. The detectives thank the actor for his time and leave. Wilson's information helped, but there are still big gaps from that night. No limo driver id, no clue about Laney Jacobs and disbelief that Raiden was in any real danger. They're back to Square1.
- [42:13]
Tracy Patton
By 1980, the Miami drug trade had rolled out the red carpet for Laney Jacobs. In an exclusive club dominated by macho men, Laney was a star. Men like Danny, who were mid level coke peddlers, worked for her. Now even the city's most notorious gangsters respected Lainey. They christened her La Rubia, Spanish for blondie. La Rubia was distributing at least 10 to 20 kilos of pure Colombian cocaine every week. And she started pocketing millions in the process. A far cry from her secretary days where she scraped by on 200 bucks a week. All that cash meant a new lifestyle. Laney bought herself a house with a pool. The decor was worthy of a magazine spread. Stark white walls and plush white carpeting set off by black lacquered furniture, silk pillows lined the sofa, all monogrammed with her initial L. She had a built in safe under the floor to stash her money in kilos of coke. Her past was a hazy memory of struggle. One thing was clear. She wouldn't go back. Her eyes were wide open to the risks. Murders fueled by drug cartels had unfolded across the city. Everywhere from quiet oceanside streets to shopping malls. Miami's courts were so clogged that 60% of first degree murder cases had to be settled on lesser charges. Laney was cautious. She had couriers deliver her goods under the radar. Once a courier arrived in a secondhand vehicle with a TV repair sign. Another time he delivered $300,000 in a beat up duffel bag. But even she got into a jam during a routine traffic stop. The officer found Coke, weed and $30,000 in cash. Laney hired a slick lawyer who got her off clean. She felt unstoppable. That feeling only intensified when she met Milan Bella Chasis. A kingpin in Miami's drug world. Belichas controlled a hefty chunk of the city's drug trade. He was shrouded in secrecy, always surrounded by thick necked bodyguards. Everyone feared him. Rumors swirled about murders. He'd arranged, bodies he had buried. A drug courier who met him would later say. Bela Chasis styled himself after Al Pacino as Scarface. Dripping in gold chains, a collection of Rolexes. He favored Italian loafers, always worn without socks. Laney and Milan clicked. He slipped seamlessly into two rolls. Her sometime lover and her business partner. Milan provided the pure Colombian cocaine. Laney distributed it. They laundered their expanding profits through a shell company in the Caribbean. Laney was soon jetting off to make their first deposit. $1.2 million stuffed inside a suitcase. Millions stashed away, A life of luxury and no shortage of coke. Laney Jacobs was living the American dream her way. But La Rubia was just getting started.
- [45:57]
Josh Lucas
It's June 28, 1983. Eighteen days since the discovery of Roy Raiden's body. Detectives Carlos Avila and Willy Ahn stand in front of the Mayflower Hotel in Manhattan. The two detectives have traveled 3,000 miles to interview Roy Raiden's assistant, Jonathan Lawson. He'd left LA after reporting Raiden missing. Avila and an cross the marble lobby and catch the elevator. A minute later, they're door knocking. Room 18. A Jonathan Lawson ushers them in. Avila sizes him up. He's 32, tall and lanky. Blonde hair. Neatly dressed in a vest and dress slacks. There are worry lines etched around his eyes. For the detectives, Lawson is crucial to understanding Raiden's final months. The three men sit in a small living room suite and Lawson dives in. He and Raiden arrived in LA on June 4, 1983. He said Raiden had been obsessed with breaking into the movies. Just a couple of days after their arrival, Raiden met Laney Jacobs. Lawson rubs his forehead. For the rest of January, they saw each other or spoke every day either to go out to dinner, hang out, do drugs. Melania was a party girl. She liked to go out to restaurants and discos. Roy liked to do all those things too. Avila isn't surprised. In Hollywood, the lines between business and pleasure always blurred. During that period of time, did you have any opportunity to meet some of Laney's friends? Lawson nods. He pulls a date book off the coffee table and flips through the pages. The week of January 10th. Laney brought by a man that I was introduced to as Tally Rogers. Avila recognizes Tally Rogers name from the private investigator's file. Did she say who he was to her? She said, this is my friend. He takes care of my business. I didn't ask any questions because I knew what they were doing. I saw the amounts of coke that was being laid out. I came to the conclusion that these people were in the coke business. This lines up with the intel they have on Laney. Drug deals and not movie deals were her thing. Detective Ahn leans in. Tell us more about this Tally Rogers. Lawson reveals that in February, Rogers moved into the hotel they were staying in. He and Roy hit it off and spent a lot of time partying. Then over the Easter holiday in April, Laney had 11 kilos of Coke and $270,000 stolen. And Rogers disappeared. She became suspicious that Roy was involved since he and Rogers had gotten so tight. Avila and an exchange looks. They ask Lawson if it could have been true, but he's adamant. Roy loved to use coke, not deal it. Avila nods. Let's back up. Tell us about this alleged movie deal that Laney and Roy were working on. In April, Laney came to the apartment and introduced the whole idea about Robert Evans. He was looking for somebody to finance his movie about the Cotton Club. Roy's thing was to get the money together. Robert Evans, the famous producer. The detectives knew Evans had met with Raiden in his final months. Now the reason why is clear. Avila asks if Lainey was a partner in this deal. Lawson lets out a sarcastic laugh. He says Laney wanted in, but Roy didn't want her involved. He thought she was just a glorified drug dealer. Avila connects the dots. Raiden meets Lainey. She turns him on to lots of coke, introduces him to Evans. But it all goes south after this robbery. Then Raiden tries to cut ties with her. Avila turns to Raiden's last night alive. In a shaky voice, Lawson recounts an incident right before Lainey and Raiden left for the restaurant. She wanted me to go to her car and get some coke. It was parked a couple miles away. I said no, I won't do that. She didn't understand why and kept insisting. She got really upset. What did you think would happen? It was a trap. I figured somebody was going to kidnap me or kill me. Avila's eyes narrow. So Lawson thinks he cheated death that night. Maybe Lainey Jacobs dealt drugs, asking Lawson to get some from her car didn't sound that unusual. Then there was the crime scene. It points to a violent confrontation, not a calculated takedown by a lone woman. And Tally Rogers, the missing drug courier, added another layer to this convoluted story. Laney might be one person of interest, but who else wanted Roy Raiden dead?
- [51:16]
Tracy Patton
Follow Hollywood in Crime the Cotton Club Murder on the Wondery App, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes early and ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Before you go, tell us about yourself by completing a short survey@wondery.com survey this is episode one of Six from Hollywood and Crime, the Cotton Club Murder. This podcast is based on historical research, but some dialogue has been dramatized. In this episode. We use an alias because the real person's identity is unknown. We utilized many resources when researching this story, but ones we found exceptionally helpful are Bad Company Drugs, Hollywood and the Cotton Club Murder by Steve Wick and the Los Angeles Superior Court Archives and Records Center. Our show was produced by Tracy Patton, Rebecca Reynolds, and Jim Carpenter for Hollywood and Crime. Our writer is Matt Marinovich, our managing producer is Sophia Martins, and our coordinating producer is Taylor Sniffin. Our story editor is Mikayla Bly. Research by Adam Melian, Sound design is by Kyle Randall, our audio engineers are Sergio Enriquez and Augustine Lim. Audio assembly by Daniel Gonzalez Additional audio assistance from Adrian Tapia Fact checking by Will Tavlin for Wondry, our producer is Yasmin Ward and our senior producer is Laura Donna Palavoda. Executive producers are Erin O'Flaherty, Marsha Louie, and Jen Sargent.
- [53:06]
Jonathan Lawson
Dracula, the ancient vampire who terrorizes Victorian London. Blood and garlic, bats and crucifixes, even if you haven't read the book, you think you know the story.
- [53:17]
Josh Lucas
One of the incredible things about Dracula is that not only is it this.
- [53:21]
Damond Wilson
Wonderful snapshot of the 19th century, but.
- [53:24]
Josh Lucas
It also has so much resonance today.
- [53:26]
Jonathan Lawson
The vampire doesn't cast a reflection in a mirror, so when we look in the mirror, the only thing we see is our own monstrous abilities. From the host and producer of American History Tellers and History Daily comes the new podcast, the Real History of Dracula. We'll reveal how author Bram Stoker rated ancient folklore, exploited Victorian fears around sex, science and religion, and how, even today, we remain enthralled to his strange creatures of the night. You can binge all episodes of the Real History History of Dracula exclusively with Wondery plus. Join Wondery plus and the Wonder Apple podcasts or Spotify.