The Playboy Murders is investigating the case of actress Melonie Haller, who was sexually assaulted while attending a party hosted by theatrical producer Roy Radin at his exclusive mansion in Southampton, Long Island, New York.
The 22-year-old actress had starred alongside John Travolta in 1970s sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, but her career had since stalled.
On April 12, 1980, she attended the party of bigshot Radin, hoping to give her career a boost, but came away claiming she had been sexually assaulted and beaten.
Haller was discovered the following day on a Long Island commuter train; she was dazed, bloodied, and semi-conscious. She later filed a civil suit against one of Radin’s guests, Robert McKeage, accusing him of beating her. She also accused Radin of rape and made charges against two women.
The suit claimed that Radin had invited “persons of a vicious character, wild proclivities, and dangerous tendencies” to his home and stated that there were drugs and guns in the 72-room oceanfront mansion.
The court document also claimed that partygoers had filmed the attack. Radin initially claimed that Haller had been a willing participant in sex games.
Robert McKeage pleaded guilty to assaulting Melonie Haller
Eventually, McKeage confessed to assaulting Haller and admitted he’d placed her on the commuter train. Judge James N. White sentenced him to 30 days in jail along with five years probation. The judge also told him to avoid drugs and heavy drinking.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelFollowing a police search of his property, Radin pleaded guilty to possession of a .38 caliber revolver and was fined $1,000 and placed on three years probation. Radin’s fiancee, Toni Fillet, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harassment and escaped any punishment.
Producer Roy Radin is perhaps best known for his shocking murder, which occurred three years after Haller’s ordeal. The 33-year-old’s remains were found in the desert north of Los Angeles. He had been shot in the head.
Karen Greenberger ordered the murder of Roy Radin
Radin was a victim of one of his friends, namely drug dealer Karen Greenberger. The pair had been dating, and Greenberger was even helping him to finance a movie.
However, the police suspect that Greenberger ordered his death after they fell out either over the movie or drugs. Greenberger, along with William Mentzer, Alex Marti, and Robert Lowe, were all convicted of Radin’s murder and given lengthy sentences.
In another twist on this case, William Mentzer was named by infamous serial killer David Berkowitz as the leader of the so-called cult Son of Sam.
The Playboy Murders airs Monday at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.