True Crime : Palm Springs Massacre | The Friendly Murders | Story Time featuring Rock Hudson & More
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When Sophia Friendly opened the door to her killer, she was dressed for dinner.
It was October 12, 1978. In Palm Springs, California, a resort-home destination for presidents and entertainers-where Elvis and Priscilla honeymooned, where everyone from Frank Sinatra to Liberace held court-dressing for dinner was the protocol observed in many of the houses nestled in the desert valley. Sophia, age 71, donned a floor-length dress and gold shoes. Her husband, Ed Friendly, 74, put on a jacket. The couple’s maid set the dining-room table with crystal and a six-piece silver service that included slender fish knives.
At about 7 p.m. the killer walked in the front door of the three-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa at 893 Camino Del Sur. Something happened-words were spoken, a weapon revealed-and Sophia Friendly turned to flee down the hallway. She was shot in the back of the head and died instantly. Frances Williams, the Friendlys’ 67-year-old cook and housekeeper, had just slipped a fish dinner into the warming oven. When the killer bore down on her in the kitchen, she dropped to her knees. A bullet to the head, fired point blank, ensured she died just as swiftly as her employer.
Ed Friendly wore a hearing aid. It is thought possible that, sitting in the bedroom, watching television and sipping a drink, he was unaware of the shots. He’d turned in his chair but had not risen to his feet when the killer struck a third time. Ed Friendly was shot twice-in the chest and in the head.
Photos and papers were tossed around, pants pockets turned inside out. Nothing was taken, including the $400 in cash in plain view in a wallet. But something was left behind: shell casings on the floor of the hallway, kitchen and den. Those casings would prove crucial but not for more than 30 years, after waves of police work drew tantalizingly close to an arrest time and again. The casings held the clues.
The killer did one thing more in the house on Camino Del Sur: A man’s fedora was tossed over the face of Sophia Friendly. It was as if to deliver the message that her death held the most meaning.
No neighbor observed anything out of the ordinary; no one heard gunshots. A car could have easily glided down the dim, quiet, palm-lined street unnoticed, the smell of dust and fig groves in the arid breeze.
It was the first triple homicide in the history of Palm Springs.
Пікірлер: 171
Hey Scott, thanks for including me in your video. It seems like that was years ago. It’s always fun seeing you when you come to town. And even though this particular story was extremely sad and tragic, it’s nice that you’re keeping their memories alive and it’s especially nice that you visited the cemetery to try to find the Housekeeper’s gravesite. 💙👍
@SCOTTONTAPE
3 жыл бұрын
Thank YOU Steve! It’s always so much fun filming with you and spending time with you. It went by too fast but I’ll be seeing you again soon. It really does seem like we did this a year ago lol. Crazy how fast this year is going. I need your help putting together the next video we did cause it’s all out of order and I’m so confused 🤣🤣🤣. I’ll text you tomorrow my friend.
@annmariemcleod6670
3 жыл бұрын
Its so nice to see you Steve. Thanks Scott
@TheGraveyardChannel
3 жыл бұрын
@@annmariemcleod6670 Thanks AnnMarie!
@annmariemcleod6670
3 жыл бұрын
@@TheGraveyardChannel your most welcome my friend. I hope your doing well and hope to see you in Canada sometime i the future 😊
@petermcdonald1744
3 жыл бұрын
When Woolworth (anyone remember that?) heiress, Barbara Hutton died, in 1979, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, she had $3,500 left in her bank account. Any trust fund, coming from her was long lost. In 1930 she had over $100 million, adjusted for 2021 inflation, about a billion dollars! Of her 7 husband's, most impoverished "royalty," some gay, the one who didn't take alimony, or $$$, was Hollywood Royalty, and Palm Springs resident, Cary Grant.
Gregg Sherwood died in 2011 at age 87. She actually went through more than 20 million in the space of about 15 years, filing for bankruptcy in 1978 after suing her former mother-in-law for another 9 million on top of the 11 million divorce settlement. She then pleaded guilty to embezzling from her son's trust fund. Now I don't quite as bad about all the money I've blown this last year. Wild stuff. Really enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work!
that family should have paid for a headstone very sad story.
@scotoftheanarchic.7903
3 жыл бұрын
That's exactly what I was thinking surely someone should have paid, people with money are tighter than two coats of paint though.
It amazes me in the footsteps we take, or places we live in...and the majority have no idea how much pain, suffering, death and happiness occurred within the same spaces. I guess I'm weird to think of such things
@carsonrunyon6099
3 жыл бұрын
I think that way as well! I'm sure most would think that kind of stuff is weird, but most people nowadays don't think about anything outside of social media
@seattlescofflaws
3 жыл бұрын
I feel the same way Kris.
@ElizabethW62
3 жыл бұрын
Everybody has energy & we leave it behind when we die. Most may never speak of it, but I believe those among us who have empathy - and not everyone does - consider these things. I don't find your observation weird at all. ☺️
@petermcdonald1744
3 жыл бұрын
I have a friend who swears-by burning sage, and saying some prayers of peace and love, when she moves into a new place. She found-out, after the fact, that she had briefly rented the Diane Linkletter condo, in West Hollywood, where Miss Linkletter took her life. She also remembered seeing, around the building, the famous ballet dancer/ actor Alexander Gudinov, who also took his life, in the same Horn Ave. highrise. 🙁
@tammybrown4901
3 жыл бұрын
No I'm the same way
I feel there should be no time limit on disclosing a murder in a house or other bad things that have happened.
@sc1338
Жыл бұрын
Why death is everywhere
Gosh, even without the murders, if the walls could talk in that place oh the stories they could tell. Awesome vid. Take care man.
@SCOTTONTAPE
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
I love when two people i follow collaborate on videos! Especially ones about people Ive never heard of. RIP to the victims
Your personality is infectious. My wife and I love your videos ! Keep it up Scott!
@SCOTTONTAPE
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much Andy! Whoops, I mean, Burt!!
Very sad story! Its awful that Francis has an unmarked grave they could've at least raised up money or done something to get her headstone!! No one deserves to not have a headstone so sad!! Rip to Francis & all the victims🙏
Hello Scott and Steve!! I have never heard of this story. It was very interesting. Palm Springs has so much history. I hope to get there someday.
I’m almost deaf, so that truly touched my heart. I can’t imagine relaxing in my own home and being murdered by an assassin. So sad
You did it again Scott. Another awesome video, I never heard of this murder before. There is a few stories you mentioned on your channel which I never heard before so it's something new to me like this one. This is why I love your videos so much, I always learn something new. The weather looks amazing but don't see you sweating as much today. I'm guessing it's humid but I could be wrong. Your videos go from amazing to super special. They get better everytime you do one. 🙂🙂😃
Man you got lucky you were there on a day that it wasn't windy which is very rare in palm springs. Very interesting story I don't think I've every heard of this thanks for sharing.
I went ahead and gave it a thumbs up now as I'm just beginning to view it because I know it's going to be five star!! Thank you Scott!
@stacykeller8461
3 жыл бұрын
Me too!!
@erikduhon2369
3 жыл бұрын
@@stacykeller8461 every time I get a notification from his channel I get super excited. Lol
Very tragic story for the victims. I have never heard of this and will have to do some more reading on it.
FUN FFACT! I’m a CNA at an assisted living home and I help care for Sophia sister in law! She’s so sweet and we’ve gotten really close to the point that she told me about this and so I KZread’d it. She says she believes it was a professional but as far as reasoning goes is a mystery.
Followed both you and Steve for years. Amazing content.
Watching replay thanks for sharing .always interesting and stories done with research. Thankyou.
Thank You for Sharing Especially about Ms Francis Williams R.I.P to the Victims 🌷🌺
Really lovely of you to leave a rock for Francis.
OMG Chilling story. Hi to you both. By the way Scott I googled Frances Williams read her family history. She was from Kansas. Her husband Shelvert Williams, WW2 veteran died 1957. He is buried 5 /6 places away from Frances. His grave stone is on youtube. Surrounded by white stones ? 🙋♀️👍🙏 Fascinating story. Sad. 👍🙋♀️
Iam glad you two film together. It's very enjoyable
Great video Scott I luv that house it looks amazing.
Great video. I haven't heard this story before. RIP Frances. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Steve and Scott 🙋🏽. Interesting story line. Thanks for sharing this with me.this is really sad.✝️🛐☮️💟🟣❣️💚
Never knew about this incident, awesome video Scott
Heyyyy Scott, wow that's so sad🌹RIP🌹THANK you for this, appreciate you💖
Very informative, thank you. Love how you always leave a rock for the people.
Let's get her a headstone
Great video Steve... Thanks for sharing.... I guess Scott did a good job as well lmao.... Thanks for sharing Scott!!!!
Another amazing video and I love to see you and Steve together ❤
Really great research scott. Nice job
great video and its so awesome to see you with collaborating with steve again the guy is a legend
Thank You Scott and Steve
Really enjoy your channel thank you so much xoxo
Scott, you have very interesting vids! Keep em going!!! 😀
Wow what a horrible story 😞 😪. These True Crime stories get me every time. Scott you do such a wonderful job telling us these stories and getting us emotionally involved.
I grew up in yucca valley about 25 minutes away! So cool man! Love the videos!!
Omg and I love here in palm springs didn't know about this and I've lived here off and on throughout my whole life
The intro was awesome.
@SCOTTONTAPE
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks ! Found some vintage footage!
Hey Scott good to see you bro thanks 👍 for the entertaining video
Reminds me of Steven Parent. The teenage kid who was gunned down by Manson follower, Tex Watson in the driveway at Cielo Dr. Total wrong place, wrong time. Nice job, and I never heard of this case. Did u do a vid on Sinatra while u were there?
@guygrip9634
2 жыл бұрын
That murder was si off and as time gos on the murder was fake
what can i say just another outstanding video from Scott
A good portion of my childhood was spent with the Friendly’s including time in this house. I highly dispute that they were unkind in anyway. Or that they treated anyone who worked for them in a poor manner. Financially or otherwise. I appreciate the interest in this story as I’d love nothing more then to one day see it solved. It’s lived permanently in my head most of my life. And I respect it’s difficult to find information. But it needs clarification if for no other reason that some respect should be shown to everyone lost that day. I understand it’s all Alleged and I respect that. But I cannot stand by and let people assume they were unkind or that either of them were just a “Rich couple from San Francisco.” I mean no disrespect to your storytelling. I just wanted to clarify.
@SCOTTONTAPE
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for clarifying that Amanda . I probably spoke out of turn regarding the Friendly’s and that’s something I don’t usually do . I always try to speak highly of the victims of a crime and a heartfelt apology to you and my sincere condolences. ❤️
@AmandaDuchow
2 жыл бұрын
@@SCOTTONTAPE thank you. I just remember them as being kind to me. I am not related. But our families were close. I didn’t mean to imply that you were intentional in that. I just wanted to make sure viewers understood that they were good people. Especially Ed. And I can confirm one thing. The house was great. And the pool is still my favorite pool ever. I hope new owners kept it. It was a classic.
Oh my. Bless Frances' heart, and may she rest in peace. Thank you for paying tribute her, Scott. Safe travels :)
Great location Scott, very interesting story of old Hollywood, also loving Scott Michaels site (findadeath ) being in u.k never heard too much about David rapport ,Joe wild ..etc... British actor's very intresting reading. (as morbid as it is I find it fascinating! ) awesome historically acurette location's. Thank you peace out 🤘
love you Scott, great as always!!!!! 👋 steve!!!!!! love you guys!!!!! hugs and 💋😘😗😚😙💋😘😗😚😙💋😘😗😚😙💋😘😗😚😙💋😘😗😚😙💋😘😗😚!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved your Sal Mineo video so much! You have a life long subscriber with me!
2 of my favorite KZreadrs together 👍🏼. Great vlog and storytelling.
Great video and great to see Steve there too 😁 I haven't heard this story before and that poor lady doesn't even have a grave stone, that is so sad. The son who organised it, not sure if he is still around, but I hope he gets or got what he deserves for this and rots in hell
I went to visit Steve's channel and now I'm here to see Scott's take on this crime. Just for the hell of it...while sort of watching that old classic A Place in the Sun on TV. Fun times 😊 Poor Frances. Looking for her gravesite was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I've never heard of this case Thanks for sharing😊 RIP to the victims☹️
Please do Elizabeth Short (The Black Dahlia!) OMG! Fascinating story there. Show his/her grave!
That's steve I watch his channel too !
That before shot of the house looks tiny as heck.
Scott what great story very sad.
Great video
Thank you
YOU ROCK !!!!! for leaving a rock .
I'm subscribe to you and Steve! 😄
Hi Scott hope you having a good Saturday
Love Your Vedio's. :)
Hey Scott, do a video about Nicole Simpson please
So much tragedy in such a beautiful place 😪 The most ugliest things happening for money
Wow , what a tragedy 😢,,so sad and they were never caught thats so sad there is no stone for the poor women 😢 may she rip 🙏
Great stuff as always. What is the song that's playing at the beginning,very retro. Xox
Hi Steve! Yay!!
I've never heard of this case. The poor maid.
Hey Scott your videos are great!! I was wondering if you could do one on Richard Farley 1988 mass murder in Sunnyvale California. There was a 1992 movie with Brooke Shields and Richard Thomas it's called I can make you love me. Due to this mass shooting, stalking Laura black and in the separate stalking case of Rebecca Schaeffer prompted the first anti-stalking law in California.
Your hair looks cute Scott , wind blown, thanks for the awesome video once again
@SCOTTONTAPE
Жыл бұрын
☺️☺️thank you Karen
WOW!!!AMEN!!!
I’ve been tell you to do Palm Springs
Interesting story, but entire vid was hard to follow. You didn't get to the actual event until nearly minute 9 of the video.
Hi SCOTT AND STEVE ,,NEVER HEARD OF THIS CASE ,I REMEMBER MARK MILLER HE WAS AN ACTOR,, Barbara Hutton poor little rich girl James Dean had a brief affair with her , her dad owned the WOOLWORTHS COMPANY ,
Missed your chat on friday 😭
Frances Williams is buried about 5 plots from where her husband, Shelvert, who died in 1957, is buried in the southwest corner. From what I read.
I'm sure the guy who cuts the grass appreciates that rock in the path of his mower. Just kidding Scott! Great video as always
@janadeubner9883
3 жыл бұрын
Haha I thought the same thing!
HEY SCOTT
They were careless people....they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made. (The Great Gatsby).
Hello Scott💋
Before the remodeling, do you have a photo of it when it was built? Or through the 70's?
AWESOME!!!😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈😁🎈
Where did you find that Palm Springs song used in the beginning?
Now you know! Everyone!!!!
Scott i was just reading about the Sherman's murder. Due to all the UN vehicles at the factory
Hello from OHIO 👍🏻
The Gee family in Beaso IL
I’m from Palm Springs
I hope you find yourself a nice lady one day, Scott
Hi everyone!
Wow that sounds so very cold that it was done like that pure evil and greedy person to kill for money
R.i.p, its tragic
I loved George Nader he was so handsome
My wife's grandparents lived close to this area in palm springs. I remember the Toronto murders the husband and wife were found out at the pool tied up. I thought that was up in the bridalpath area
@SCOTTONTAPE
2 жыл бұрын
Close, about two city blocks from the bridle path
@vacation_fun_makers
2 жыл бұрын
@@SCOTTONTAPE it is still so hard to believe that have no more info on the senseless loss of life of the gentleman and his wife and no more info on any leads etc 😢
Why is there no other documentary’s on the murders?
Is this any relation to Ed Friendly who produced Laugh In and Little House on the Prairie? I am asking this midway through...so you may answer this....or not, but I would like to know.
So sad
Dang
@allan9603
3 жыл бұрын
Pssss
Palm Springs is the capitol of human trafficking. I went inside this home on a realtor open, it had a clever remodel.
what do you drive BTW? I am just curious...because whatever you drive must be really reliable ....you seem to drive all over..