Inside the dark side of Hollywood as deaths of model Christy Giles & music legend’s wife expose dangers of Tinseltown
THE recent deaths of a model and a music legend’s wife have exposed the dark side of Hollywood with Tinseltown residents fearing crime is “out of control”.
Seen as the playground for the rich and famous, Los Angeles is home to many of the world's biggest stars and is often the place where aspiring celebrities find their fame.
But a recent spate of crimes across the city has left many residents fearful, with some telling The Sun that they worry for their safety.
The LAPD admitted last month that there is an “ongoing crime trend” following a spate of so-called follow-home robberies in the city.
And the city has also been rocked by a wave of violent street robberies and brazen smash and grabs raids on high-end retail outlets.
WALK OF FAME SHOOTING
But it was the death of Clarence Avant’s wife Jaqueline earlier this month that really shone a spotlight on the troubling crime wave facing the City of Angels.
Her shooting death during a suspected home invasion came just days after the deaths of model Christy Giles, 24, and her pal Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola.
Then last week a gunman reportedly opened fire on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as fans gathered to mourn the late Mexican singer Vicente Fernández.
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LEFT FOR DEAD
In November tragic model Christy and her friend Hilda had been partying in Los Angeles when they were dumped outside two separate hospitals.
Friends and family claim the women were drugged against their will in their apartment in the Pico-Robertson area after they visited the club.
Then on Thursday it was reported that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Christy's body was dropped off at a hospital in Culver City hours later while Hilda was left unconscious outside a hospital in West LA, reports.
The model’s cause of death was deferred to a toxicology report, while investigators found heroin in Hilda's system.
Jan Cilliers, Giles’ husband, told Eyewitness News that three people were arrested in connection with the deaths. Further details were not immediately available.
Christy’s phone records showed that the women’s last known location was at an apartment in Beverly Hills.
Neighbors told The Sun that they heard the sound of someone “moaning in pain” coming from that apartment all day in the hours before both women were dumped at the hospitals.
'LET'S GET OUT OF HERE'
Christy’s phone showed she had texted Hilda at around 5.30am on November 13 to say “Let’s get out of here” with the wide eyes emoji.
Hilda replied “Yes” and said she had called for an Uber - but after that Christy did not read or respond to any more texts sent to her.
Jan added that based on information stored on their iCloud, he does not believe Christy checked or answered any messages afterward.
Christy was not dumped at Southern California Hospital in Culver City until around 12 hours later, while Hilda was left at the ICU two hours after that.
The family alleges that three masked men dropped off Christy on the sidewalk of the hospital.
They claim that the same vehicle, with the license plates removed, was seen dropping off Hilda at a different hospital.
SHOT IN HOME
Earlier this month philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, 81, was attacked at the $7.3 million home she shared with music legend Clarence in the wealthy Trousdale Estates area of Beverly Hills.
confirmed that the high-powered music executive and a security guard were in the home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac when the suspect broke in.
They later arrested suspect Aariel Maynor after surveillance footage from the couple's mansion is said to have helped identify him.
According to police, Maynor reportedly used an AR-15 rifle as he attempted to rob the Avant home.
Cops said that Maynor has an “extensive criminal record” and was on parole when the shooting occurred.
People living in the Trousdale Estates say there have recently been several burglaries in the area where Jackie was shot, leaving the community on edge.
MISSING MOM
In October mom-of-one Heidi Planck, 39, disappeared in highly mysterious circumstances after attending her 11-year-old son’s flag football game in Los Angeles on October 17.
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The LAPD said in a statement that it appears Heidi died at the apartment building and forensic evidence led officers to the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
Her family has previously stated that they fear that "foul play" was involved in her disappearance.
