In celebration of October and spooky season, We are headed into the Hollywood Hills to uncover the tragic true crime history and heavy paranormal lore of 1920s silent film star Ramon Novarro.

We discuss his rise to fame, the agonizing isolation of the Hollywood "Velvet Closet," and the brutal Devil's Night murder that birthed a trauma haunting at his Laurel Canyon estate.

​In this episode, we cover:

​The Laurel Canyon Haunting:

Modern residents of 3110 Laurel Canyon Boulevard report suffocating, aggressive paranormal activity in the master bedroom, including sudden temperature drops and the sounds of a violent struggle. We also discuss the tragic 1980s murder of Ryan Kelly, a fan who previously owned the house and popularized the ghost stories.

​The Latin Lover:

We trace Novarro’s journey from fleeing the Mexican Revolution to starring in the 1925 blockbuster Ben-Hur, becoming a massive box-office draw for MGM.

​The Velvet Closet:

We explore the psychological toll of the 1920s studio system. Novarro, a devout Catholic and deeply closeted gay man, was forced to live a double life that ultimately led to extreme isolation in his twilight years.

​Devil's Night 1968:

We break down the horrific events of October 30, 1968. Drifters Paul and Tom Ferguson lured their way into Novarro's home, torturing the 69-year-old actor for a rumored $5,000 hidden safe that didn't exist, ultimately leaving him to die for just twenty dollars.

​Debunking Hollywood Lore:

We completely debunk Kenneth Anger's infamous Hollywood Babylon myth about the murder weapon. We confirm Novarro was actually beaten with a silver-tipped cane and asphyxiated on his own blood after being gagged.

​A Failure of Justice:

We detail the infuriating 1969 trial. The defense utilized a horrific "gay panic" strategy, resulting in Tom Ferguson serving barely six years and Paul Ferguson serving nearly nine years for the brutal murder.

​Housekeeping & Ways to Support:

https://linktr.ee/HomocidalTendency

​Patreon: A massive thank you to our new members! Join the Blood Spatter or Crime Scene tiers to support the show and gain access to our private vault of bonus episodes.

​Visuals: Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky. Check out the archival photos of Ramon Novarro’s Golden Age glamour alongside eerie, modern-day shots of the Laurel Canyon estate.
​

Rate & Review: Please take two seconds to drop a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help other true crime and horror weirdos find the show!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show