Has John Thomas Sweeney taken up a new name, John Patrick Maura, and moved to a new city, renewing his work as a chef after being freed from the bars?
Dominique Ellen Dunne was an American actress known for her TV and movie roles.
Highlights
- People felt it was too lenient for John Thomas Sweeney to spend only certain years in bars because of the offence he committed.
- Following the trial, Sweeney moved to Oregon and changed his name to John Patrick Maura.
- Dunne’s brother knew John Sweeney jealousy and possessiveness for the actress Dunne.
She began her career with “Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker” in 1979 and had recurring roles in “Family” and “Breaking Away.”
Her big break came with the horror film “Poltergeist” in 1982.
Tragically, her ex-boyfriend, John Thomas Sweeney, took her life in October 1982, sparking a high-profile court case.
He was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and served three and a half years in prison.
As her brother, Griffin Dunne, published his memoir “The Friday Afternoon Club, folks are inquisitive to know what John Sweeney has been doing after the homicide.
John Thomas Sweeney Has Changed His Name For New Start
The trial’s outcome sparked public outcry due to Sweeney’s conviction for voluntary manslaughter rather than homicide.
Many felt it was too lenient considering the severity of the crime.
John Thomas Sweeney, asesino de Dominique Dunne, en el juicio y en la actualidad bajo el seudonimo de John Patrick Mauro pic.twitter.com/WoLFTthMjh
— 𝖪𝖾𝗇𝗂𝖺 𝗅𝗈 𝗁𝖺𝖼𝖾 𝗍𝗈𝖽𝗈 𝗆𝖺𝗅 (@RelatocuriosoK) November 8, 2021
Despite being sentenced to prison, Sweeney served only a fraction of his term before being released, further fueling the controversy surrounding the case.
After the trial, Sweeney moved to Oregon and changed his name to John Patrick Maura.
John Thomas Sweeney changed his last name to his mother’s maiden name, Maura, likely in an attempt to evade detection and start afresh.
Also, there are some rumors that he commuted to Seattle to work as a chef.
Even Dominique Dunne’s father pursued him for years, hoping for justice, but eventually grew weary of the pursuit and abandoned it.
He felt it was futile to continue wasting time on Sweeney.
The Chef, John Thomas Sweeney Had Possessive Traits
John Thomas Sweeney was a sous-chef at a party in 1981 when he encountered the actress Dunne.
They soon started dating and moved in together on Rangely Avenue in West Hollywood.
Remembering Dominique Dunne on the 39th anniversary of her death.
— 30's Starrlet (@KrysLuvClassics) November 4, 2021
Dominique Ellen Dunne.
November 23rd 1959 – November 4th 1982.#OnThisDay #OTD #DominiqueDunne pic.twitter.com/avQyTNXTMq
John Sweeney was in trouble because Dunne’s brother knew his jealousy and possessiveness.
Still, he had malicious guts not to stay out of the Poltergeist actress’s sight.
On October 30, 1982, Sweeney arrived at Dominique’s house while she rehearsed for the miniseries “V” with actor David Packer.
Despite her attempts to keep him out, they argued on the porch.
Packer, who was inside, heard disturbing sounds, including screams and a thud.
Dominique was later found strangled and was put on life support with no signs of brain activity.
At 25, John Sweeney was put behind bars for his inhumane actions. Now, born in 1956, Sweeney is 68 and living with his new name, a job, and the city.
Additional Information
- Dunne was born in Santa Monica, California, the youngest child of Ellen Beatriz “Lenny” (née Griffin), a ranching heiress, and Dominick Dunne, a writer, producer, and actor.
- Her father hailed from an Irish Catholic background, while her maternal grandparents were Irish-Americans and a Mexican from Sonora, Mexico.
- Dunne had two older brothers, Alexander “Alex” and Griffin Dunne, who were actors and directors.
