Meet Jean Pesce, LA Crime Buff & Ghost Tour Guide

We are excited to welcome a new storyteller to the American Ghost Walks-California team: Jean Pesce. I know American Ghost Walks founder, Mike Huberty & I both love finding the perfect guide & Jean has researched these stories on her own for years.

We are so excited to welcome a new storyteller to the American Ghost Walks-California team in the person of Jean Pesce. I know American Ghost Walks founder, Mike Huberty, and I both love finding the perfect guide. Many people can memorize a script and recite it to a group, but it’s especially fun when you have a storyteller who legitimately loves the material and, in Jean’s case, she researched…

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The Los Feliz Christmas Murder Mansion

Welcome to Episode 95 of Let’s Get Haunted! Continuing on with our Holiday-themed episodes this December, Aly tells Nat the tale of one of Los Angeles’ most infamous haunted houses. Steeped in urban legend, the Los Feliz Murder Mansion - located in the affluent LA neighborhood of Los Feliz - was abandoned in December of 1959 following the grisly murder-suicide of two of its occupants and the attempted murder of one other. Rumor has it that the crime scene was never cleaned up and blood-stained objects sat abandoned in the house for years. A new owner did buy the house the year after the tragic event, but for some mysterious reason they chose to never actually move into the home, continuing to leave it abandoned in a state of disrepair. In recent years, the house continues with this trend of bad luck as new owner after new owner continues to be unable to move into the mansion. Is the entire neighborhood of Los Feliz cursed? Aly interviews an Angeleno that lives down the street from the murder mansion to hear her thoughts on the matter, in addition to interviewing Stacy of the podcast The Los Feliz Murder Mansion. Tune in now to hear all about this haunted tale!

Sometimes I’m like ‘wow true crime is kind of cool’ and then I read a lot about a true crime story and then I remember why reading true crime stories is a Bad Idea

The Los Feliz Mansion Murder

September 09, 2021

A very nice area of Nothern Los Angeles called Los Feliz, was filled with very upscale families in the 1950′s and this is where Dr. Harold Perelson, a successful cardiologist bought a property at 2475 Glendower Place, a beautiful mansion for him, his wife, and three children to live happily. 

However, the Perelson’s did not get the happy ending they should have, for on the night of December 6, 1959, Dr. Harold Perelson beat his wife, Lillian to death with a hammer while she was sleeping, and beat his 18 year old daughter severely, before taking his own life with a mixture of water, acid, and tranquilizer pills. 

The screams of Judye Perelson woke up the neighbours and her other two siblings who managed to escape unharmed after Dr. Perelson told them they were having a bad dream and to just go back to sleep, while Judye escaped to the neighbour’s house before her injuries became fatal. 

No one knows for sure why Dr. Perelson murdered his wife and attempted to murder his daughter, but many believe he was under great financial stress and needed a way out. After the murder of their mother, the three Perelson children moved out of the house to live with other family. 

A year after the tragedy, a couple named Julian and Emily Enriquez bought (some say won) the mansion to use as a storage site, with neighbours recalling they had never seen the couple stay the night in the mansion. 

The house has never actually been lived in by anyone since the night of the murders, and the Enriquez’s have kept the Perelsons’ old decor, not changing a thing about the interior of the mansion, including leaving the Christmas gifts and the Perelson’s everyday items in the same places they always were. 

Rudy Enriquez inherited the house from his parents, but had refused to sell the property and returns to the mansion frequently to visit his two cats who live there. Local neighbours have helped keep the outside of the house from decaying. 

The Los Feliz mansion has had a number of break ins with many rooms damaged and items stolen. Other neighbours have claimed to see people have picnics in the backyard and one trespasser claimed the mansion is haunted. 

The mansion was eventually put up for sale, asking for $2.75 million and was bought in December 2020 for $2.35 million by a real estate investor who wants to renovate the mansion. 

Our Favorite Movies, Starring Los Angeles!

This list was compiled by the L.A. Conservancy’s Last Remaining Seats Committee—the volunteers who select the LRS lineup each year, and help produce the film series. Rest assured, they know their movies—as well as their classic L.A. architecture! If you’re pining to visit the places that make our city special, consider watching one of these classic L.A. stories—and enjoy seeing them on the small screen, instead.

Clueless (1995)

Streaming: N/A

“This was such a great coming of age movie that it took me years to realize it was an adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma.”  One of my favorite scenes is when Cher is being robbed at the Circus Liquor store, on a bad day I like to drive to that location and quote “You don’t understand. This is an Alaia… It’s like a totally important designer.” -Helen 

Double Indemnity (1944) 

Streaming: Hulu 

Los Angeles locations plus a great Film Noir story.  You can’t go wrong with a movie that has lines like “How could I have known that murder can sometimes smell like honeysuckle.” -Scott 

La La Land (2016) 

Streaming: YouTube

Not a historic movie, but is there any film that better captures the beauty of living in the city of angels? A musical with songs that will keep you cheery while sitting in traffic, La La Land is peak modern Los Angeles. -Sam 

Bosch (2014 - Present)

Streaming: Netflix

Michael Connelly's LAPD homicide detective, Harry Bosch, travels all over L.A. There is enough detail (in the books) to follow his travels. He lives on Woodrow Wilson just off Mulholland. He eats at Chinese Kitchen, Nickel Diner, Musso and Franks, Pacific Dining Car, etc. -Paul 

“M” (1951) 

Streaming: N/A, but on DVD on Amazon 

Great shots of 1951 Bunker Hill before it was redeveloped, plus, this is a great atmospheric Film Noir. -Celeste 

Devil In A Blue Dress (1995)

 Streaming: Amazon Prime Video, and also on STARZ 

Noir Los Angeles in the 1950s, but from an African American perspective. 

-Celeste 

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

Streaming: Amazon Prime 

I know it isn’t an older film though it completely changed the meaning of “once upon a time” for us… -Caroline 

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Steaming: N/A 

“Kiss Me Deadly” is one of my top ten movies.  It also features some scenes with great footage of Bunker Hill and Angel’s Flight going up and down.  Later, the world seems to come to end, but not without a lot of tough guys talking wise first and dames manipulating them behind their backs. -Tom Dailey 

Inherent Vice (2014) 

Streaming: Amazon Prime

One of my favorite recent discoveries!  It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, and a pre-Fantastic Beasts Katherine Waterston. It features so many great L.A. locations. Director Paul Thomas Anderson loves LA and it comes through on film. -Traci 

The  Exiles (1961)

Streaming: N/A 

Depicts transplanted American Indians from SW reservations, living in the Bunker Hill area of Los Angeles during the late 1950's. Directed by Kent MacKenzie, a USC film student, it was lost for 50 years and rediscovered by Director Thom Anderson in his movie "Los Angeles Plays Itself". It is important to me because of my Native American roots. -Elizabeth Night 

Nightcrawler (2014)

Streaming: Amazon, Google Play, ITunes, VUDU 

Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), a driven young man desperate for work, discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem.  -Tracy Jackson

The Neon Demon (2016) 

Streaming: Google Play, YouTube 

Jesse (Elle Fanning) moves to Los Angeles just after her 16th birthday to launch a career as a model. The head of her agency tells the innocent teen that she has the qualities to become a top star. Jesse soon faces the wrath of ruthless vixens who despise her fresh-faced beauty. On top of that, she must contend with a seedy motel manager and a creepy photographer. As Jesse starts to take the fashion world by storm, her personality changes in ways that could help her against her cutthroat rivals. I love this film because it’s very weird but beautifully shot. It’s a slow-building thriller that shows LA in a creepy, neon light! -Megan Bennett 

The Big Sleep (1946) 

Streaming: Available to rent on Amazon Prime, Google Play, YouTube

P.I. Philip Marlowe (Humphrey Bogart) is hired by a wealthy general to discover who is blackmailing his daughter over gambling debts and stop them. Marlowe finds himself deep within a web of love triangles, blackmail, murder, gambling, and organized crime, not to mention falling in love with the general’s other daughter, Vivian (Lauren Bacall). Marlowe goes all over L.A. looking for clues, including the Hollywood Public Library and up into the Hollywood Hills. Author Raymond Chandler was rumored to have based the General’s home on the Greystone Mansion. This film is one of my favorites because it has the best dialogue I’ve ever heard in a film. The one-liners and quick exchanges are awesome, and every scene with Bogie and Bacall is exquisite. - Liz Highstrete 

Chinatown (1974) 

Streaming: Amazon Prime, Hulu, iTunes, Google Play

I know this title is radioactive due to its connection with Polanski.  But, as the recent book by Sam Wesson, The Big Goodbye, points out, Chinatown was a significant collaboration of many creative forces, including Robert Towne, Jack Nicholson, Robert Evans, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Diane Ladd, John Alonzo, Richard Sybert, and others.  Their work can still be admired.  Plus, there are scenes shot on location throughout L.A. city and county. https://la.curbed.com/maps/chinatown-filming-location-map -Tom

L. A. Confidential (1997)

Streaming:  Netflix 

L.A. Confidential is a 1950’s Hollywood crime drama of corrupt cops and mobster bad-guys filmed at historic locations across Los Angeles.  In particular, the movie showcases Richard Neutra’s “Lovell Health House” on Dundee Road in Los Feliz as the supposed home of the local pimp, who runs a prostitution ring of women who have taken on the appearances of famous movie stars.  Kim Basinger stars as Veronica Lake look-alike.  Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey and Guy Pearce star as three very different cops.  Danny DeVito writes the local tabloid news. Originally built and named for a health-and-fitness guru, the Lovell Health House has just been put on the market, according to Curbed Los Angeles, and the current owner “wants to find a buyer who will appreciate the home’s architecture—and either preserve it or restore it”.  Any takers? -Leslie

ok idk if anyone cares or if the anon that ask me will see this BUT!!! I made a list (this will probs be on going) of my favorite true crime stories that aren't as well known (there are some well known ones on here but none of the obvious like jonbenet, manson murders etc) SO HERE IT IS:

Murder of British reporter jill dando

Gainesville ripper 

Elisa lam

Setagaya family murder

Cleveland elementary school shoo-ins ‘I dont like Mondays’

Cheshire murders

Durham family muder

The golden state killer

The Lululemon yoga store murder

Lady of the dunes

Mitrice richardson

Killing of Tim mclean

The Berkeley hostage crisis 

Fall River cult murders

Disappearance of Susan Powell 

erie collar bomb heist

Smiley face killer

Aileen wuornos 

Judy buenoano

Danny leplante

Night stalker

The story of Jennifer pan

The murder of laci Peterson

The death of Kathleen Peterson aka “the staircase muder”

Heavens gate cult

Jodi arias

Misty family murders

The mystery of the circleville letters

The hillside stranglers

BTK

Amber hagerman 

Issei sagawa the canibal

Los feliz mujer mansion

Murder of Kim wall

Clarence and Melinda Elkins

The party monster murder

Natalee Ann Holloway 

Disappearance of Maura Murray

Jonestown

Amanda knox

Yogurt shop murders

Matthew Hoffman 

Bear brook muders

"ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" (2019) Review

"ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" (2019) Review When I had first learned that producer-director Quentin Tarantino had plans to make a movie about "Old Hollywood", I assumed that it would be set during the early 20th century - at least sometime between the 1920s and the 1940s. I had no idea that the movie would be set near the end of the 1960s.

The reason behind my initial assumption was that I have never considered the 1960s decade to be a part of . . . "Old Hollywood". For me, that era in film history had ended by the late 1950s. I eventually learned that a good number of movie stars - Rock Hudson being one of them - had retained contracts with the industries movie studios even during the Sixties. Even those who had transferred from movie to television productions. Then . . . I heard that the movie would be about the LaBianca-Tate Murders from August 1969. Familiar with the level of violence featured in past Tarantino movies, I was pretty determined to avoid this movie. I am used to the violence featured in the director's past movies. But I really could not see myself sitting in a movie theater and watching a re-creation of the murder of actress Sharon Tate, Hollywood hairdresser Jay Sebring and a few other friends at the hands of Charles Manson's Family. I had seen the 1976 movie, "HELTER SKELTER" when I was a kid. Once was enough and that was only a two-part television movie. But when I had eventually learned that "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" was a revisionist movie like his 2009 film, "INGLORIOUS BASTERDS", I decided to give it a chance. "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" covered a six month period near the end of the 1960s - from February to August 1969. To be honest, the movie is divided into two time periods. Two-thirds of the movie is set during a 36-hour period in early Februrary 1969. The last third of the film is set during the afternoon and evening hours of August 8-9, 1969. The movie is about the experiences of two men - Hollywood television actor Rick Dalton and his friend/stunt man/chauffeur Cliff Booth. Following the cancellation of his television series, "Bounty Law", Rick had been making guest appearances in various television shows as villains. Casting agent Marvin Schwarz warns Rick that the longer he continues appearing in television episodes as the villain, his career will eventually die and no one will remember him from "Bounty Law". The agent suggests that Rick consider going to Europe to star in an Italian western or two. And Cliff find his career as a Hollywood stuntman over due to rumors that he may have killed his wife and an altercation with Bruce Lee on the set of "THE GREEN HORNET". Only his job as Rick's chauffeur/handyman has allowed Cliff to earn any cash, thanks to the actor's alcoholism and collection of DUIs that led to the removal his driver's license. Rick has also acquired new neighbors - Polish-born director Roman Polanski and his actress wife Sharon Tate - both with Hollywood careers that seemed to be on the upswing. The couple had just began leasing the home of music producer Terry Melcher. Rick has dreams of befriending them as a means to revive his career. Meanwhile, he contemplates accepting Marvin's suggestion, while he begins work on his current job - a guest appearance as another villain in the pilot episode of the TV western called "LANCER". As for Cliff, he becomes acquainted with a beautiful hitchhiker named Pussycat. She turns out to be a member of the Manson Family, who are staying at Spahn Ranch, where he and Rick used to film "Bounty Law". Cliff's encounter with the ranch's owner, the blind and aging George Spahn and members of the Manson Family foreshadows a later encounter on that infamous night, six months later. While contemplating his career, I noticed all of the four movies made by Quentin Tarantino in the past ten years were period pieces. All of them . . . from "INGLORIOUS BASTERDS" to this current film, "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD". I would never consider the other three films as nostalgic, but a part of me cannot help but wonder if I could say the same about this latest one. The pacing for "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" struck me as a lot more detailed, relaxed and reflective than any of his previous movies. It almost seemed as if Tarantino was paying some kind of loving tribute to the end of the old Hollywood studio system. For me, this seemed like both a good thing and a bad one. Tarantino always had a reputation for scenes that featured long stretches of dialogue or detailed action sequences. And yes, the pacing in his films - with the exception of scenes featuring action or revelations of previous mysteries - can be a tad slow upon first viewing. But "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" marked the first time I can recall such a small amount of violence or action. Tarantino seemed more evoking a sense of the past than in any other of his period films. For "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD", it was a good thing for the film managed to permeate the end of the 1960s in Los Angeles and the Hollywood Studio system thanks to Tarantino's direction, Barbara Ling's superb production designs, Arianne Phillips' costume designs and the art direction led by Richard L. Johnson. On the other hand, Tarantino's in-depth peek into Los Angeles 1969 also had a negative impact . . . a minor one, if I must be honest. This slow exploration also included a look into actress Sharon Tate's life . . . at least in the first two-thirds of the film. Basically, the movie reflected a peek into the daily life of the actress - attending a party at Hugh Hefner's Playboy mansion, visiting a bookstore in the Westwood Village, and watching her latest film ("THE WRECKING CREW") at the theater. I realize that Tarantino was trying to pay some kind of homage to Tate, but I found this . . . homage rather dragged the film's pacing. There were two other aspects of "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" that I found troubling. One brief scene early in the film featured an appearance by Charles Manson at the Polanski-Tate home, searching for music producer Terry Melcher, who owned it. In real life, Manson had visited the house on several occasions, searching for the music producer. These visits had led to the Tate-LaBianca murders. But the movie only featured one visit by Manson and it happened early in the film . . . six months before the night of August 8-9. I believe this is where Tarantino's narrative structure for the film had failed. I belief the film's second act, which is set during that very night, should have began at least a few days or a week or two earlier, allowing one or two more visits by Manson to 10050 Cielo Drive and setting up his plan to send some of his followers to kill its inhabitants. And there was Cliff's infamous fight with Bruce Lee that outraged a good number of critics and moviegoers and led them to accuse Tarantino of disrespct toward the actor/martial artist and racism. Many took umbrage at Tarantino's portrayal of Lee as a braggadocio who needed to be taken down by a white man in a fight - namely Cliff. If I must honest, I felt the same. I still do . . . somewhat. I recently discovered that one of the production companies backing the film is Bona Film Group, a Chinese organization controlled by Yu Dong and Jeffrey Chan. As producers and co-financiers of the film, why did Bona Film Group fail to protest against the Booth-Lee encounter? Did the company's executives have a personal grudge against the late martial artist? Was this lack of protest due to some unpopularity of Lee in mainland China? Or did the production company simply not cared? One minor nitpick . . . actor Mike Moh's hairstyle for Lee was a bit too long for that 1966 or 1967 flashback. Personally, I think Tarantino should have never added that scene in the first place. It was not that relevant to the film's overall narrative. Or he could have easily allowed Cliff to have a fight with a fictional character, instead of Lee . . . anything to avoid the unnecessary controversy that followed. Despite these flaws, I really enjoyed "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD". As I had stated earlier, I really enjoyed the film's atmospheric setting of the Hollywood community at the end of the 1960s. The movie also did an excellent job in conveying Tarantino's talent for creating a narrative structure for his films. The director allowed moviegoers a peak into a Hollywood industry that was in the process of change from the old studio system to the industry's American New Wave era between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s. This transistion was conveyed in the film not only marked by Rick Dalton's anxiety over his foundering career, but also capped by the Manson Family's attack upon Cielo Drive. However, Rick was not the only one anxious about his future. Cliff Booth faced professional oblivion following Rick's marriage to an Italian actress in the film's second half. Despite their close relationship, Rick made it obvious that he could not afford to keep Cliff in his employ. The night of August 8-9 was supposed to be his last night in Rick's employ. What is also interesting about this film is that like "THE HATEFUL EIGHT", it ended on an ambiguous note. Was Rick's career ever salvaged? Also, many have forgotten that on the following evening, Charles Manson himself led a second attack upon Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in Los Angeles' Los Feliz neighborhood. Did the revisionist ending of "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" prevent these murders? I wonder. The movie also featured many sequences that I found very enjoyable to watch. They also help set up and maintain the film's narrative. These scenes included Marvin Schwarz's frank assessment of Rick's career, Polanski and Tate's appearance at a Playboy Mansion party, Rick's delightful interactions with an eight year-old actress named Trudi Fraser on the "LANCER" set that helped him turn in a memorable performance, Rick's breakdown in a trailer after flubbing his lines, and Cliff's meeting with Pussycat. But there were two scenes that really stood out for me. One of those scenes were Cliff's encounter with the Manson family at Spahn's Ranch seemed like Tarantino's take on what happened between "the family" and a stuntman named Donald Shea in late August 1969. I thought Tarantino did a superb job with this scene. It was well-paced, filled with a great deal of tension. I can say the same about the movie's last sequence that featured the Manson Family's attack upon Cielo Drive during the night of August 8-9. This is where Tarantino' use of historical revision came into play. The director-writer used Rick's constant complaints about "hippies", his celebrity as a former television star and Cliff's previous encounter with the Manson Family to re-direct the latter's attack from the Polanski-Tate household to the Dalton household. And what unfolded was chaotic, occasionally funny and yes, very scary. It truly was a well shot and well-acted sequence. "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" featured a good deal of cameos - probably a lot more than any previous Tarantino film (I could be wrong, since I have not seen all of his films). Making solid cameos were Damian Lewis, Michael Madsen, Timothy Olyphant (as actor James Stacy), Luke Perry (as actor Wayne Maunder), Damon Herriman (as Charles Manson), Ramón Franco, Lena Durnham, Rumer Willis, Martin Kove, Clu Galagher, Rebecca Gayheart, Brenda Vaccaro, Scoot McNairy, Clifton Collins, Jr., James Remar, and Toni Basil. The movie also featured some very memorable supporting performances - especially from the likes of Al Pacino, who delightfully portrayed casting agent Marvin Schwarz; an entertaining Kurt Russell who not only portrayed stunt gaffer Randy Miller, but also served as the film's narrator; Zoë Bell, who was equally entertaining as Randy's stunt gaffer wife Janet; Mike Moh, who gave a colorful performance as Bruce Lee; Lorenza Izzo, as Rick's wife Francesca Capucci; a rather frightening Dakota Fanning as Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, Manson family member; Maya Hawke as "Flower Child"; Nicholas Hammond as actor-director Sam Wanamaker; Rafał Zawierucha as Roman Polanski; Julia Butters as the delightful child actor Trudi Fraser; a very charming Emile Hirsch as Jay Sebring; the always entertaining Bruce Dern as George Spahn; and Margaret Qualley, who was very memorable as Manson Family member "Pussycat". I will be the first admit that Tarantino made little use of Sharon Tate in this film. It was quite clear that her presence really served as a catalyst for Tarantino's story and possibly a muse. But I cannot deny that Margot Robbie gave a very charming and ellubient performance as the late actress. Brad Pitt, on the other hand, gave a very subtle yet memorable performance as former stuntman Cliff Booth, whose career had seen better days. This was due to the mysterious circumstances behind the death of Cliff's wife. Many believe he may have killed her and got away with the crime. And Pitt managed to reflect this ambiguity in his performance and in his eyes. There were times when it seemed there was a bit of a "cool superhero" element in the character that at times, made it a bit difficult for me to relate to him. But thanks to Pitt's natural screen persona and a very subtle performance, I was able to do so in the end. If I had to choose the most complex character in the entire movie, it would have to be former television star Rick Dalton. And I cannot deny that Leonardo DiCaprio did an exceptional job of conveying this character to the movie screen. Thanks to DiCaprio's performance and Tarantino, Rick is such a conumdrum. One could label him as one of those actors from the late 1950s and early 1960s, who became television stars and later tried to make the transition to film. I have read many comments that Rick has a conservative outlook on his tastes and acting skills that will forever limit him from becoming a star in Hollywood's New Age in films. This is very apparent in Rick's pompadour hairstyle in the film's first half, his occasional rants against hippies and his reluctant to adapt to the new Hollywood. And yet . . . Rick eventually concedes to Schwarz's suggestion that he try Italian westerns, he changes his hairstyle and wardrobe to reflect the fashions of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and he seeks to make social connections with Polanski and Tate to further his career. Rick is also an alcoholic and might be bipolar. DiCaprio did an excellent job in conveying Rick's emotional state that reflect these traits. "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" is not my favorite Quentin Tarantino film, it has became my favorite film of 2019. I do not think it has a chance of winning any of the big prizes during the awards season of 2019-2020. I have a deep suspicion that the media and the Hollywood community is not as enamoured of it as I am. Which is okay . . . to each his or her own. But damn it, the movie was superb. I have heard rumors that Tarantino plans to retire from filmmaking. Personally, I think this is a mistake on his part. Perhaps he wants to end his career on a high note. And "ONCE UPON A TIME . . . IN HOLLYWOOD" is certainly a reflection of it, thanks to Tarantino's direction, his screenplay, the movie's production values and especially the cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. But I hope that Tarantino continues to make movies.

The Los Feliz murder mansion. Where even the windows look like they’re screaming. #losangeles #lahistory #la #history #losfeliz #murder #mansion #la_meekly (at Los Feliz, Los Angeles) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnq7eMWBsT1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tepdl8i2274k

For Whom the Bells Tolls

Ernesto strikes back: Fan-fiction for “Coco”

Part 1: Fallen

It had been a year since paradise had turned to hell.

Ernesto hiked the hood of his long coat forward as he ascended the steps of the Department of Family Reunions. The guards at the door eyed him sideways, but opened the door for him, not recognizing his face hidden in the shadows of the hood. One of the guards stared as Ernesto held the collar of his coat. The man had probably never seen bones as sterling white as Ernesto’s up close before.

A year ago tonight Ernesto had been crushed under the second bell. He had been left there, in the painful darkness for three long days, trapped and terrified

as the police and Hector’s family decided what to do with him. Ernesto had worried during those days that he would yellow overnight, that he would crack and flake away into the second death once his reputation was destroyed on both sides of the marigold bridge.

An idiotic fear, he had realized later. No one ever forgot a villain. His bones were as snowy white as ever.

The bustling Dia de los Muertos crowds inside the building quickly swamped Ernesto. Shining alebrijes scurried around his feet and flew over his head while families pushed and hurried by in all directions, corralling their squealing children and waving call numbers above their heads in a colorful bustle. Ernesto spotted where he was headed and ducked his head, mercifully blending into the holiday crowd as he wove his way to the back of the building unnoticed.

It had taken a long time to get used to not being recognized, it turned out that the descent from godhood was a steep one, but even invisibility was better than the disgusted and horrified looks he got whenever someone did recognize him. Long gone were the days of his beloved gold-sequined mariachi suits, now everything he did was in an effort to remain unseen.

“Have you been helped yet Señor?” A hassled looking clerk with a clipboard asked him as Ernesto hovered by her desk.

“I’d like to speak to an ofrenda agent. Carlos if he’s here.” Ernesto said, keeping his voice low.

“Over there, he just finished with someone else.” The clerk said, barely looking at him as she pointed to an open office door.

Ernesto nodded and drifted to the office.

“Hola Señor.” Carlos said, rifling a stack of papers as Ernesto entered his office. “How can I help you this evening? Having ofrenda trouble?”

“I need to know if I have any.” Ernesto sat across from Carlos and flipped back his hood. “I’m sure you appreciate my situation.”

Carlos gasped and startled back in his chair, dropping his papers.

“S-Señor De La Cruz.” He choked.

Ernesto knew he wasn’t a pretty sight anymore, over a hundred years of good looks had finally failed him. A large fracture spider-webbed across the left side of his skull, delicately framing his milky white left eye in its shattered socket. A gift of the second bell.

“Por favor Carlos, I just need some help tonight.” Ernesto said tiredly.

Ernesto caught his wild glance to the office door, as if considering calling for help. He wasn’t technically an outlaw, the Rivera family had been satisfied with the police seizing and redistributing his ill-gotten property instead of locking him up for good, but that didn’t mean officials were glad to see him.

“I- uh, your face-.” Carlos glanced at his desk, the door, anywhere but Ernesto.

“What about it?” Ernesto cooly laced his fingers together as he leaned forward in his seat.

“No-nothing, I’m just not completely sure the ofrenda facial scanners will work.” Carlos fidgeted with his computer, probably as an excuse to look away. “But we-we’ll try Señor.”

Ernesto leaned back in his chair. In the past Carlos had always been well paid from his massive treasury of yearly Ofrenda offerings. Having crossing officers in his pay meant Ernesto had always been able to send others to gather up the offerings of his loyal fans to stockpile in his mansion for the rest of the year. That past habit of being paid off was probably the only reason Carlos was actually helping him.

“Hold still.” Carlos said.

A flash of light swept over Ernesto’s face and the old computer grumbled and hummed as they waited. Would anyone put up an ofrenda for a murderer? Had the little living brat Miguel destroyed him in the living world as well, or were his living fans oblivious?

“Good news and bad news.” Carlos glanced up at him briefly and turned the screen to Ernesto. “You do have your picture on ofrendas this year, but there’s only a few.”

The mocoso had really done it then. Ernesto felt an icy hot anger rising in him as he clicked through the ofrenda pictures on the screen, counting them. Uno…cinco…diez… The name of the person who had made it hovered under each one.

Instead of grand offerings of guitars and wine like years past, there were now only meager ofrendas. A few rolls of Pan de Muerto here, a small sugar skull there.

Quince…veinte….veinticinco… He clicked faster and faster, seeing the list already coming to an end on the side of the screen.

The very last ofrenda was a real insult. A high, dusty attic shelf with a single yellow candle burnt out on top of it. Beside the candle lay a tipped-over framed photo of himself, a single marigold petal resting on top. Mostly likely a completely forsaken ofrenda of years past.

Ernesto gripped the leg of his pants, making the ache in his bandaged humerus bone flare up. Only a couple dozen pitiful ofrenda offerings. Last year there had been thousands of fan shrines in his honor, and all of it was gone. Gone because of a brat he hadn’t been able to kill when he’d had the chance. He looked at the disgusting picture again.

Miguel Rivera

He blinked, looking at the screen again, convinced his distraught mind and one good eye were playing tricks on him. But no. Under the ofrenda the name still hovered.

Miguel Rivera

The brat had left him a forgotten ofrenda? Likely in his own attic.

It did make a kind of sense though. Miguel had been convinced Ernesto was his ancestor when they’d first met, perhaps this was the remnant of a hastily struck ofrenda once the boy had escaped back home?

“I’m sorry Señor.” Carlos said hesitantly, looking unsure at Ernesto’s reaction. “Are you alright?”

“Perfectly.” Ernesto made up his mind in a moment. He clicked back to a different ofrenda picture and stood. “I have a few fans left it seems, I think I’ll pay them a visit.”

“Good luck,” Carlos looked relieved as he righted his computer screen. “And feliz Dia de los Muertos, Señor.”

Ernesto smiled grimly to himself as he pulled his hood back up and exited the department building, ignoring the accompanying ache on the left side of his face. Looking up he could see an orange glow in the distance where the flower bridge lit up the dark horizon.

He set off in its direction for the first time in decades, his scuffed and worn mariachi shoes hitting the cobblestone as he walked.

He had some unfinished business to attend to.

[Read Part 2: Anger]

Los Feliz Murder House, Black Dahlia/Sowden House, Dresden Room & The Ennis House - Haunted Filming Locations

Los Feliz has a dark history! Check out some of the most notorious haunted homes, including tonight's Ghost Adventures location - the Los Feliz Murder House! + the Sowden House #BlackDahlia #DresdenRoom #EnnisHouse & more!

Los Feliz has a dark history! Check out some of the most notorious haunted homes, plus a look at a favorite restaurant/filming location. Time Stamps0:00 – Los Feliz 0:23 – Dresden Room / Swingers 2:08 – Ennis House / Westworld 2:56 – Los Feliz Murder Mansion 1 3:43 – More Dresden 4:40 – The Sowden House / Black Dahlia claims 6:21 – Franklin Ave house 8:00 – Sowden House from Google Earth 8:45 –…

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Episode 95: The Los Feliz Christmas Murder Mansion Photodump

Image 01: The Los Feliz Murder Mansion, right after the murders. Image 02: Newspaper article published December 1959 Image 03: Dr. Perelson’s patent figure for his invention Image 04: County of Los Angeles Coroner Report of Mrs. Perelson Image 05: More recent photos of the mansion in disrepair Image 06: Draft Registration Card of Dr. Perelson Image 07: Clinical Report published by Dr. Perelson (still available on PubMed today) Image 08: Photo of Judye Perelson highlighted in green from her high school year book Image 09: Don Antonio Coronel and wife Mariana Image 10: Family photo of the Perelsons

The notorious Los Feliz murder house is looking for a new owner

Has the infamous Los Feliz murder house scared off another owner?

The 1920s Spanish-style home near Griffith Park sold three years ago for just under $2.3 million, after sitting neglected for most of the last half-century. Now, it’s back on the market, seemingly midway through renovations.

The home gained notoriety after a grisly murder-suicide took place within its walls. Early in the morning on December 6, 1959. physician Harold Perelson killed his wife, Lillian, and then attacked his teenage daughter before taking his own life.

The house sold to new owners in 1960, but was seldom occupied. Occasional trespassers found items—including wrapped Christmas presents—that appeared to have been left behind by onetime residents.

The house eventually popped back up on the market in 2016, listed as a fixer-upper or a development opportunity. It sold later that year to a couple who had plans to remodel and eventually move into the residence, according to then-listing agent Nancy Sanborn.

But the house is now up for sale again—with a $3.5 million price tag.

Building and safety records show the current owners applied for renovation permits, and work does appear to have been done on the place. Listing photos show the home’s interior spaces have been taken down to the studs, and much of the flooring has been stripped.

The house is far from move-in ready, though, and listing material describes the property as ripe for “ground up development.” Those considering taking out a jumbo mortgage to purchase the house need not apply. Only cash or hard money offers will be considered.

To see more of the house as it looks today, check out the listing.

To see it before it came on the market in 2016, take a look at these eerie photos from local photographer Alexis Vaughn, in which sundry items from the home’s long history can be seen collecting dust within its aging walls.

Source: https://la.curbed.com/2019/5/17/18629461/los-feliz-murder-mansion-for-sale-haunted

Famous California ‘Murder Mansion’ hits the market for $3.5M

The Los Feliz mansion, where cardiologist Harold Perelson once killed his wife with a hammer in 1959, is up for sale for $3.5 million. Famous California ‘Murder Mansion’ hits the market for $3.5M posted first on https://www.inman.com/

Famous California ‘Murder Mansion’ hits the market for $3.5M

The Los Feliz mansion, where cardiologist Harold Perelson once killed his wife with a hammer in 1959, is up for sale for $3.5 million. Famous California ‘Murder Mansion’ hits the market for $3.5M posted first on https://www.inman.com/

music, art, rinse, repeat, heady: #Repost @aquariumdrunkard with @repostapp ・・・ this turned out to be a heady combo. try it. (at Los Feliz Murder Mansion)

CROSSOVER SPECIAL! You can hear the ol' Meekly boys on @nesgritton's fantastic podcast TAKE A WALK where we talk about murder places in LA. We came cover William Hickman, Hillside Stranglers, the Night Stalker and the Los Feliz Murder Mansion among others and I also took half my shirt off because I died from overheating and yes YOU CAN LISTEN TO THAT TOO #la_meekly #takeawalkpodcast #losangeles #nightstalker #hillsidestranglers #williamhickman #losfelizmurdermansion (at Los Angeles, California)