Full details
Rachel Mason's documentary My Brother's Killer has brought renewed attention to a mysterious 1990 murder case involving William Arnold Newton, known as "Billy London," a 25-year-old gay porn actor. The decades-old unsolved crime sparked Mason's interest, leading her to conduct an extensive investigation that culminated in this documentary film.
Crime Details and Investigations
Newton had just finished working on a pornographic film titled Fist of Passion before he disappeared. He was last seen at a gay nightclub in Westwood. Initially, his disappearance did not raise alarm due to his habitual extended absences linked to drug use. However, after a missing person report was filed, his severed head and feet were found in a trash container, while his torso was never recovered. The brutal nature of the crime shocked the gay community, which was already grappling with the AIDS epidemic and violence against LGBTQ individuals at the time.
Suspicions and Findings
Mark Rabinowitz, Newton's former boyfriend and colleague in the adult film industry, was the prime suspect for a long time, but investigations failed to produce conclusive results. The case continued to baffle investigators until Mason's efforts, alongside podcast investigators, helped renew interest and information with the Los Angeles Police Department over the past five years. This led to new revelations about the killer, who led a double life between white extremist circles and violent acts targeting gay individuals.
The documentary reveals that the murderer suffered from intense internal conflicts similar to those experienced by Newton, which culminated in bloody killings. It also provides insight into Newton's challenging life, from growing up in a rural, anti-gay environment to entering the adult film industry, where he never felt fully comfortable with his career.
Although the film does not deeply explore the gay porn industry of that era, it highlights themes such as internalized homophobia and its destructive impact, adding complexity and humanity to the case.
This news story has been re-edited based on a report published by variety.com, while preserving the core facts from the original source.
