Dominique Ellen Dunne

 Dominique Ellen Dunne (November 23, 1959 – November 4, 1982)

She made appearances in several television movies and series during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her only film role was as the older daughter, Dana Freeling, in the 1982 horror film Poltergeist. Dunne's first role was in the 1979 television film Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker. She then got supporting roles in episodes of popular 1980s television series such as Lou Grant, Hart to Hart and Fame. Dunne also had a recurring role on the comedy-drama television series Breaking Away and appeared in several other television films. In 1981, she was cast in her first feature film Poltergeist. Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Tobe Hooper, the film opened on June 4, 1982, and went on to gross more than $70 million. After Poltergeist, she appeared in the final season premiere episode of CHiPs and the 1982 television film The Shadow Riders, starring Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott. Shortly before her death, Dunne was cast as Robin Maxwell in the miniseries V. She died during filming and her role was recast with actress Blair Tefkin. On October 30, 1982, a few weeks after a breakup with her abusive boyfriend (John Sweeney), Dunne was at her home rehearsing for the miniseries with actor David Packer. While she was speaking to a female friend on the phone, Sweeney had the operator break into the conversation. Dunne told her friend, "Oh God, it's Sweeney. Let me get him off the phone." Ten minutes later, Sweeney showed up. After speaking to him through the locked door, Dunne agreed to speak to him on the porch while Packer remained inside.

Outside, the two began to argue. Packer later said he heard smacking sounds, two screams and a thud. He called police but was told that Dunne's home was out of their jurisdiction. Packer then phoned a friend and told him if she was found dead, John Sweeney was the killer. Packer left the home through the back entrance and, upon approaching the driveway, found Sweeney crouching in some nearby bushes. Sweeney told Packer to call the police. When police arrived, Sweeney met them in the driveway with his hands in the air and stated, "I killed my girlfriend and I tried to kill myself." Sweeney later testified that he and Dunne had argued but he could not remember what happened after their exchange and could only recall being on top of her with his hands around her throat. Dunne was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles where she was placed on life support because her heart had stopped. Sadly, she never regained consciousness. Dunne was taken off life support on November 4th, and died that same day at age 22. She is buried at Westwood Memorial Park.