12 Notorious Murder Cases That Tore Hollywood Apart

William Desmond Taylor was a pioneer of Hollywood from 1913 to 1922. In his relatively short career, Taylor acted in 27 and directed 59 silent films, which included Anne of Green Gables and Huckleberry Finn.

In 1922, at the age of 49, Taylor was found dead in his Los Angeles home. In a baffling side note, a medical examiner arrived at the scene and announced that Taylor had died of a stomach haemorrhage, then left. Shorty thereafter, forensic investigators arrived, and turned over the body to find a bullet hole in Taylor's back.

Taylor was found with over $1000 (adjusted) in his wallet and rings on his fingers, implying robbery was not the motive. What followed was a media circus attempting to decipher the case, with various celebrities giving questionable interviews. The L.A. Undersheriff went as far as to say, "The industry has been hurt. Stars have been ruined. Stockholders have lost millions of dollars. A lot of people are out of jobs and incensed enough to take a shot at you."

Despite there being a dozen suspects, no-one was ever charged with the murder due to circumstantial evidence, a disturbed crime scene, and even claims of corruption. A story befitting of Tinseltown.