The Truly Horrific Crime Scene Of The Dorothy Stratten Murder

On August 13, 1980, Paul Sniders' jealousy reached its peak when he purchased a 12-gauge shotgun from a private seller he found in a classified ad. The next day, August 14, 1980, Stratten arrived at the home she used to share with Snider to discuss the terms of their impending divorce. According to ABC News, she had kept quiet about her plans to meet Snider, as everyone close to her — including Hefner and Bogdonavich — advised her not to go anywhere near her estranged husband.

Later that night, two of Snider's roommates went to check on both Stratten and Snider and found both of them lying naked on the floor, dead. It was later reported that Snider had sexually assaulted Stratten before shooting her in the face with the shotgun. He then turned the gun on himself.

Patti Laurman, a woman who had also been "discovered" by Snider and was living with him at his residence, was one of the first to come across the murder scene. "It looked like it was a horror movie — a staged horror movie," she said, per ABC News. "That's a picture that never goes away, a mental picture that's stuck in here forever."

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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