Los Feliz Murder Mansion
Left untouched since a double murder-suicide in the 1960s, Los Feliz mansion remains a neighborhood mystery
Hilltop home, site of double murder-suicide. Photo taken by Genaro Molina of the LA Times.
Source blog.allanellenberger.com Click to EnlargeCategory Memento Mori
On the night of December 6, 1959, in a mansion that sits on a Los Feliz hilltop, Dr. Harold Perelson struck his wife to death with a hammer, severely beat his 18-year-old daughter, and then ended his own life by drinking a glass of acid. For the next fifty years, the mansion would remain completely untouched and uninhabited by anyone.
A year after the gruesome murder-suicide, the mansion was sold to a couple, Emily and Julian Enriquez, who only used the 5,050-square-foot house as a storage site. Neighbors recall seeing the couple bringing boxes to the mansion, but never staying overnight. In 1994, Rudy Enriquez inherited the house and, like his parents, neither stayed nor made any changes to the Perelson's old decor.
Local neighbors and brave visitors of the Perelson mansion have shared their tales. Through grimy windows, one can see a 1950s-style television set, a Christmas tree, and neatly-wrapped gifts. The furniture is covered in a thick layer of dust and the living room remains the exact same as it was that one December night.
Rudy Enriquez, now a 77-year old retired music manager, has refused to sell the property, though he has admitted to frequenting the site to feed his two cats who live there. The exterior of the mansion is in slow decay, and the local neighbors have had to pitch in to help maintain the property.
Though no one has been formally invited into the home, it is rumored that the mansion attracted trespassers for some time. Former neighbors have even witnessed people having picnics in the backyard. One trespasser alleges that the house is haunted and that she was bitten by a black widow spider upon trying to break in. An alarm system has been installed and, to this day, remains one of the only changes made to the Perelson's old home.
No one knows what exactly prompted Dr. Perelson to commit those atrocities fifty years ago. Some have speculated financial woes, while others have dug up old, unconfirmed rumors of Dr. Perelson having been secretly hospitalized. All three Perelson children survived the incident, though none have been mentioned in the media since.
What remains an even larger mystery is why the current owner have left the scene of the crime almost exactly as it was 1959.
See an error? Know more? Edit this place.
- Hours Private residence
- Address 2475 Glendower Place, Los Angeles, California, 90027, United States
Comments
-
I'm confused as to how he actually killed himself. Above on this page it says he drank a glass of acid. On the actual article from the newspaper it first says, 'and then ended his own life by swallowing poison,' but later in the same article in the photo caption, it says, 'and then took own life with pills in this $60,000 home.' Where did the acid story come from? I guess acid is poison but pills aren't acid. Maybe the newspaper had faulty information.
-
Here's another death (I don't know if he died in the actual house) from December 4, 1932: Beautiful Los Feliz Home Estate of Harry F. Schumacher, Deceased 2475 Glendower Place AUCTION: Tues. Dec. 6th, 11 A.M. A delightful 12-room Home, with terraced lawns, artistic gardens and a magnificent view. Spacious tiled Entrance Hall and Stairway, Charming Living Room, 18 x 32, Large glassed-in Conservatory, Dining Room, Den, Breakfast Room, Kitchen and Lavatory on First Floor. Four Master Bedrooms and Three Baths on Second Floor, Attractive Ball Room and Bar, 20 x 36, on Third Floor. Laundry, Maid's Room and Bath in Basement. Three-Car Garage. The beautifully landscaped grounds face two streets, with frontage of 83 feet and 243-foot depth. Property will be sold to the highest bidder for any amount over present Bank encumbrance of $15,000, subject to approval of Superior Court. If you are looking for a home in a beautiful district, centrally located, yet with the seclusion of a large estate, inspect this property. SUNDAY FROM 1 TO 5 P.M.
-
Maybe there's another ghost in the house. This is an obituary from May 6, 1931 which ran in the LA Times: BEATON, May 3, at 2475 Glendower Place, Hollywood, Donald Beaton, aged 20 years, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Welford Beaton and brother of Mary Beaton and Mrs. E.A. Bowen. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 6, at 2:30 p.m., from the Little Church of the Flowers, Forest Lawn. B.E. Dayton, Inc., directors.
-
Anonymous
February 14, 2010
This is interesting to me as I have Enriquez decendants. I will research this further, just out of curiosity. -
I drove by last night to check this place out... even in the dark I could tell that it's an absolutely stunning house. It's such a shame that it has fallen into such disrepair. The house did not seem very haunted to me, but it did feel incredibly sad and lonely, as many of these characterful old buildings can if they're abandoned. It would no doubt be a wonderful place to live if it was fixed up, although I'm sure many people would have issues buying a house where people were murdered! I look forward to returning during the day and hopefully getting to do a little snooping!
Post a Comment