Overview of John Thomas Sweeney & the Murder of Dominique Dunne
This episode of Killer Psyche (Wondery | Treefort Media), hosted by Candace DeLong, examines the 1982 murder of actress Dominique Dunne (Poltergeist) by her ex-boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney. It traces Dunne’s rising Hollywood career, the pattern of escalating domestic abuse she endured, the fatal strangulation on October 30, 1982, her death on November 4, 1982, and the controversial trial that followed—concluding with a manslaughter conviction and a comparatively light sentence. The episode also offers psychological analysis of Sweeney’s behavior and practical safety guidance for people leaving abusive partners.
Key events and timeline
- 1981–1982: Dominique Dunne (age 21–22) rises in Hollywood after Poltergeist; begins relationship with John Thomas Sweeney (then mid‑20s).
- September 1982: Prior violent strangulation incident in Dunne’s home (nonfatal).
- October 30, 1982 (night): Sweeney, intoxicated, goes to Dunne’s West Hollywood home. After banging on the locked door, he strangles her on the porch for an estimated 3–6 minutes. Dunne is left brain‑damaged and placed on life support.
- November 4, 1982: Dominique Dunne is removed from life support and dies; family donates her organs.
- August 1983: Trial of John Thomas Sweeney. Key prior-abuse testimony was excluded; jury convicts him of voluntary manslaughter and misdemeanor assault.
- November 1983: Sweeney sentenced to maximum of 6.5 years; serves ~3.5 years and is released in 1986. He later changes his name to John Mora.
Backgrounds
Dominique Dunne
- Born into an entertainment family and became known after her role as Dana Freeling in Poltergeist.
- Was preparing for a TV miniseries (V) at the time of the attack; she was 22 and on the cusp of a major career.
John Thomas Sweeney
- Born October 12, 1956, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Grew up in a violent household (father was abusive and alcoholic).
- Became a chef and worked in elite Los Angeles restaurants, eventually becoming head chef at a West Hollywood hotspot.
- Described by coworkers as intense, thin‑skinned, unable to tolerate criticism—traits the episode links to narcissistic and rage-prone behavior.
The abusive relationship and escalation
- Early relationship dynamics: love‑bombing, rapid intimacy, isolation, jealous and controlling behavior.
- Multiple documented violent incidents prior to the killing:
- Repeated assaults on a prior girlfriend (Lillian Pierce) — broken bones, collapsed lung, ruptured eardrum, hospitalizations (testimony later judged too prejudicial to be admitted at trial).
- Instances with Dunne: hair pulled out by the roots; physical assaults; strangulation five weeks before the fatal attack (a known high‑risk indicator).
- Public jealousy incidents (e.g., assaulting a man who spoke to Dunne at a bar).
- Dunne attempted to end the relationship, changed locks, and confided to family that Sweeney was “obsessed” and dangerous.
The murder and immediate aftermath
- On Oct 30, 1982, Sweeney walked to Dunne’s home after work, intoxicated. After being refused entry, he strangled her on the porch until she lost consciousness.
- Witness David Packer heard screams and later found Sweeney kneeling over Dunne; Sweeney immediately confessed to an arriving deputy: “I killed my girlfriend… I just kept on choking her.”
- Dunne was taken to Cedars‑Sinai with catastrophic brain injury and died five days later.
Trial, legal rulings, and sentence
- Prosecutors sought first‑degree murder after Dunne’s death; the judge (Burton S. Katz) barred much testimony about Sweeney’s prior abusive history, ruling it prejudicial.
- Lillian Pierce’s detailed account of repeated near‑lethal assaults was excluded from the jury’s consideration.
- Judge Katz also removed first‑degree murder from the jury instructions, leaving second‑degree murder and voluntary manslaughter as options.
- Jury convicted Sweeney of voluntary manslaughter and misdemeanor assault. Judge Katz sentenced him to the maximum 6.5 years, stating he personally believed it was murder and criticized the jury’s verdict.
- Sweeney served approximately 3.5 years and was released in 1986; later changed his name and relocated.
Psychological analysis and risk factors highlighted
- Intergenerational transmission of violence: Sweeney witnessed parental violence (father strangling his mother) which shaped his model for intimate conflict resolution.
- Narcissistic injury and abandonment rage: Sweeney’s violent response is framed as a narcissistic reaction to perceived rejection—an intense rage to reassert control and self‑image.
- Coercive control: jealousy, isolation, monitoring, and escalating physical assaults align with patterns of intimate terrorism.
- Strangulation as a major risk marker: nonfatal strangulation greatly increases the risk of subsequent homicide—research cited suggests prior nonfatal strangulation is associated with a 6–7× increase in odds of attempted or completed homicide.
Notable quotes from the episode
- Sweeney’s confession to Deputy D’Amelio: “I killed my girlfriend… I just kept on choking her. I just lost my temper and blew it.”
- Judge Katz (post‑verdict): privately stated he believed the killing was murder, but attributed the lesser verdict to the jury’s decision.
Main takeaways and safety guidance
- Repeated nonfatal strangulation is a critical warning sign and predictor of future lethal violence.
- Abusive patterns—love‑bombing, control, escalating physical violence, public jealousy, and isolation—should be treated as serious danger signals.
- Practical safety advice for those leaving abusive or narcissistic partners:
- Develop a safety/escape plan (legal, digital and physical), ideally before leaving.
- Document abuse when safe to do so; seek medical attention and consider reporting violent incidents.
- Use support services: local domestic violence hotlines, shelters, legal advocates, and trusted networks.
- The episode underscores systemic failures: exclusion of prior‑abuse evidence and judicial handling can materially affect outcomes in domestic‑violence homicides.
Production credits (episode)
- Host: Candace DeLong
- Written/researched by: Mary Chalenza and Jada Williams
- Producers: Mary Chalenza, Jada Williams; Wondery and Treefort Media
- Mix/sound design: Matt Dyson, Anthony Laurie
Sources and evidence referenced in the episode include courtroom testimony, medical findings of prolonged oxygen deprivation and neck bruising, prior witness accounts, and academic literature on coercive control and strangulation risk.