TL;DR
- Documentary reveals the murder of gay porn star Billy London.
- Filmmaker Rachel Mason investigates using an old Advocate article.
- The killer confesses on camera, shedding light on LGBTQ+ issues.
- Mason aims to humanize London beyond being a murder victim.
- The film explores the intersection of poverty and violence in LGBTQ+ lives.
In a gripping tale that intertwines the dark corners of the past with the bright lights of modern storytelling, filmmaker Rachel Mason has taken on a cold case that has haunted the LGBTQ+ community for decades. The murder of gay porn star Billy London, whose real name was William Newton, was a brutal crime that shocked many when it occurred in 1990. Now, thanks to Mason’s relentless pursuit of the truth, the case has been reopened, and the killer has confessed on camera.
It all started when Mason stumbled upon an old issue of The Advocate while researching for her first documentary, Circus of Books. This particular article, published in 1990, detailed the grisly murder that had been dubbed the “gay Black Dahlia.” The article, penned by Chris Bull and Mike Szymanski, described how parts of London’s body were discovered in a dumpster in West Hollywood, yet the case received little mainstream media coverage. Mason, intrigued and horrified, felt compelled to dig deeper.
“It just never got mainstream coverage, and The Advocate was there at a time when nobody was covering these stories,” Mason reflected. The lack of attention to London’s murder was likely due to a toxic mix of rampant homophobia and the stigma surrounding the adult film industry. But Mason was determined to change that narrative.
Over the course of six years, Mason not only sought to uncover the truth behind London’s death but also aimed to humanize him, presenting him as more than just a victim. She collaborated with London’s friends, family, and a team of amateur sleuths, all while navigating the complexities of the LGBTQ+ community’s history and the societal issues that often go unaddressed.
In a shocking twist, Mason managed to befriend DarraLynn Madden, the transgender woman who allegedly murdered and dismembered London. While serving time for a different crime, Madden confessed to the murder during an in-depth interview at a maximum-security prison. “DarraLynn has talked to me about many other crimes, so I have access to her that is very rare,” Mason noted. This chilling confession revealed not only the brutality of the act but also the shared struggles of both women in the gay porn industry and their similar backgrounds of escaping homophobic families.
“You can see the actual footage and say, ‘Wow, DarraLynn and Billy were walking the same street, they both came from rural areas in America, which weren’t friendly to gay people, and they both had really intense childhoods,’” Mason explained. This connection between the two lives adds a haunting layer to the narrative, prompting viewers to reflect on the societal issues that lead to such tragic outcomes.
Mason’s documentary, titled My Brother’s Killer, aims to not only solve a murder but also to memorialize London, ensuring he is remembered as a person with a rich life rather than just a victim. “I started to feel like he was my brother. He was everyone’s brother. He was all of our brother,” Mason said, emphasizing the collective loss felt by the LGBTQ+ community.
As the film premiered at SXSW, it sparked conversations about the importance of recognizing the stories of marginalized individuals, especially in the context of violence and crime. With a wide release still pending, My Brother’s Killer promises to be a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and the need for justice and recognition in a world that often overlooks their stories.