The Shocking Turn in Lana Turner’s Life
Lana Turner, the ultimate blonde Sweater Girl star of Hollywood, experienced a distressing event in 1958 that involved her daughter, Cheryl Crane.
Lana Turner’s Glamorous Hollywood Career
Having been a prominent star at MGM for 17 years, Lana Turner had already established herself as a successful actress in both film and television.
Her notable roles in movies like Peyton Place (1957) and The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) made her a household name.
A Tragic Event and Media Frenzy
The tragic incident that occurred in Lana Turner’s life caused a media frenzy at the time.
It involved the stabbing death of her lover, Johnny Stompanato, by her own 14-year-old daughter, Cheryl Crane.
Crane’s Childhood and Relationship with Her Mother
As the daughter of a famous star, Cheryl Crane felt powerless in her attempts to gain her mother’s love.
She would sometimes sneak into Lana Turner’s closet just to feel her presence and inhale her essence.
However, her mother’s focus on her appearance often pushed Crane away when she sought affection.
The Motive Behind the Stabbing
Despite being just 14 years old, Cheryl Crane displayed an unexpected level of rage on the night of Johnny Stompanato’s death.
The nature of the stabbing itself was not properly understood by many at the time.
The Argument that Led to the Stabbing
On the night of the incident, Crane was upstairs in her room when she overheard a heated argument between her mother and Stompanato.
It was only when she heard him threaten to harm her mother and destroy their family that Crane decided to take action.
The Moment of the Stabbing
Crane rushed downstairs to the kitchen, where she found a knife.
Returning to her room, she encountered Stompanato approaching her.
In a chaotic moment, he ran into the knife that Crane was holding, leading to his fatal wounds.
Crane’s Confession and Legal Consequences
Almost immediately after the stabbing, Cheryl Crane confessed to being responsible for Stompanato’s death.
She was subsequently placed in a juvenile hall for three weeks.
Due to her age and the circumstances surrounding the incident, she was released without trial.
Lana Turner’s Testimony and the Verdict
During the legal proceedings, Lana Turner testified about the events of that night and the nature of her relationship with Stompanato.
She revealed his violent behavior and possessiveness.
Turner claimed she did not see the blade during the altercation.
The coroner’s jury reached a unanimous verdict of justifiable homicide, resulting in Crane’s release.
Life After the Incident
In 1988, Cheryl Crane broke her silence by publishing her autobiography, Detour: A Hollywood Story.
In the book, she revealed that Stompanato had s**ually abused her.
Crane faced personal struggles throughout her life, including two suicide attempts, but eventually found happiness with her marriage to Jocelyn “Josh” LeRoy and her career as a real estate agent.
Lana Turner’s Continued Career and Legacy
Following the tragedy, Lana Turner continued her acting career in Hollywood.
She appeared on the TV show Falcon Crest from 1982-1983.
Turner passed away in 1995, having been married seven times throughout her life.
