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The Tragic Life And Shocking Death Of John J. Collett: 5 Untold Facts About Kim Richards' Slain Fiancé

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The story of John J. Collett is one of Hollywood glamour, high-stakes finance, and a brutal, unresolved tragedy that continues to haunt one of reality television's biggest stars. As of December 2025, the details surrounding his 1991 murder remain a chilling footnote in the life of *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* personality Kim Richards, who was engaged to Collett at the time of his death. His life, cut short at just 29, was a complex web of alleged financial misdeeds and an intense, short-lived romance that ended with a hitman's bullet in broad daylight, a case that resurfaces in public discourse every time Richards speaks about her past trauma. This deep dive into John J. Collett's life and death moves beyond the tabloid headlines to explore the full, dramatic scope of the events, from his alleged involvement in a commodities fraud scheme to the lasting impact of his assassination. The sensational nature of the case, including recent discussions about the convicted killer’s potential parole eligibility, ensures that this decades-old crime remains a fresh and compelling topic.

John J. Collett: A Brief Profile and Biography

The man at the center of this tragedy, John J. Collett, was a figure whose life was defined by both ambition in the financial world and a high-profile romantic relationship that placed him in the orbit of Hollywood's elite. While his life was brief, the circumstances of his death ensured his name would not be forgotten.

  • Full Name: John J. Collett
  • Occupation: Commodities Salesman/Broker (Associated with a firm allegedly involved in fraud)
  • Age at Death: 29 years old
  • Date of Death: October 28, 1991
  • Location of Death: Outside Brent's Delicatessen in Northridge, Los Angeles, California
  • Cause of Death: Gunshot wound (Assassination by hitman)
  • Fiancée/Partner: Kim Richards (Actress and star of *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills*)
  • Residence: Agoura Hills, California

1. The High-Stakes World of Commodities and Alleged Fraud

Collett was a commodities salesman operating in a high-stakes, fast-moving financial sector. His professional life, however, was shrouded in controversy long before his murder.

A Defendant in a Civil Suit: At the time of his death, Collett was one of six defendants named in a major civil lawsuit. This suit stemmed from a commodities firm that was accused of defrauding investors out of millions of dollars.

The Fraudulent Scheme: The allegations centered on a scheme where investors were purportedly defrauded. While the full details of Collett's specific role are complex and were never fully litigated due to his death, his association with the firm placed him directly in the crosshairs of a major financial scandal. The environment of commercial fraud and commodity contracts often involves high-pressure sales tactics and significant financial stakes, creating a volatile and dangerous atmosphere for those involved.

A Potential Motive: The civil suit and the scale of the alleged financial crimes—defrauding investors for millions—immediately became the primary focus for investigators searching for a motive behind his brutal execution. The implication was clear: the murder was a professional hit, a consequence of his business dealings, not a random act of violence. This commodities fraud connection is a critical piece of the John J. Collett story, providing the topical authority needed to understand the true danger he was in.

2. The Whirlwind Romance with Kim Richards

John J. Collett's personal life became intertwined with Hollywood royalty when he began dating actress Kim Richards, a former child star who would later become a reality TV icon. The relationship was brief but intense, leading quickly to an engagement.

Meeting at a Critical Time: Reports indicate that Collett and Richards met in June 1991, just a few months before his death. Some sources suggest they met at an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, indicating they connected during a period of personal vulnerability for both.

The Engagement: Despite the short duration of their courtship—only about four months—the couple was engaged to be married. This immediate commitment highlights the deep connection they shared, making the subsequent tragedy even more devastating for Richards.

A Tragic Witness: The most heartbreaking detail of their relationship is that Kim Richards was present when Collett was murdered. She was waiting for him in the car outside the delicatessen when the hit occurred. This proximity to the violence is a trauma Richards has openly discussed, noting its lasting impact on her life and personal struggles.

3. The Brutal, Calculated Assassination of a Broker

The death of John J. Collett was not a robbery or a random crime; it was a professional, point-blank assassination carried out in a public place, designed to send a clear, terrifying message.

The Scene of the Crime: On October 28, 1991, Collett was waiting outside Brent's Delicatessen in Northridge. Witnesses testified that a man, later identified as Marva DeCarlo Johnson, approached Collett. The two men spoke for a brief period—around 10 minutes—before the shooting.

The Hitman and the Conviction: Marva DeCarlo Johnson, then 29, was the man who pulled the trigger. Johnson was arrested and later pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the slaying of Collett. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. The conviction confirmed the nature of the crime as a targeted execution.

The Unanswered Question: While the shooter was caught and convicted, the fundamental mystery remains: who ordered the hit? The professional nature of the killing strongly suggests it was a contract killing, likely tied to the multi-million dollar commodities fraud case. The person or people who paid for the assassination—the masterminds behind the crime—have never been publicly identified or prosecuted, leaving the case with a chilling, unresolved element of justice.

4. The Lasting Impact on Kim Richards and Reality TV

The murder of John J. Collett is not just a historical crime; it is a recurring narrative point in the public life of Kim Richards, demonstrating the long shadow of trauma and violence.

A Public Confession of Trauma: Richards has spoken extensively about the murder, both on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* and in subsequent interviews, including a notable discussion with Dr. Phil. She cited the brutal murder of her fiancé as one of the major personal tragedies that acted as a trigger for her struggles with addiction and sobriety.

The RHOBH Storyline: The show brought the decades-old tragedy back into the public eye, giving it a new platform and a fresh audience. Richards' emotional recounting of the event, including the shock of witnessing the shooting, highlighted the profound psychological damage she endured. This element of her biography is a constant source of topical authority for discussions about her life and the dark side of celebrity.

A Rumored Tell-All: The intensity of the story was underscored by reports that a tell-all book by Kim Richards was "killed by the publisher." It was rumored that this book was set to delve deeply into the business misdeeds and the circumstances surrounding Collett’s execution, suggesting there are still layers to the story that have yet to be fully revealed.

5. Marva DeCarlo Johnson: The Killer's Parole Eligibility and Recent Updates

The most recent and "fresh" angle on the John J. Collett case revolves around the status of his convicted killer, Marva DeCarlo Johnson. The passage of time means that the possibility of his release is a recurring and sensitive topic.

The 30-Years-to-Life Sentence: Johnson was sentenced to 30 years to life for the first-degree murder of Collett. This sentence structure means he has been eligible for parole after serving the minimum term, which has brought the case back into the news cycle periodically.

The Re-Traumatization: News reports about Johnson's potential parole eligibility have caused significant distress for Kim Richards. For the family and loved ones of the victim, the prospect of the killer's freedom forces them to relive the trauma of the 1991 assassination.

A Continuing Legal Entity: The legal status of Marva DeCarlo Johnson—whether he is currently incarcerated, has been denied parole, or has an upcoming hearing—is the single most important entity keeping the John J. Collett story current. Every time a parole board reviews his case, the sensational details of the commodities fraud, the hitman, and the death of Kim Richards' fiancé are brought back to the surface, ensuring the 1991 murder remains a relevant and tragic event in popular culture and true crime discussion.

The Tragic Life and Shocking Death of John J. Collett: 5 Untold Facts About Kim Richards' Slain Fiancé
john j collett
john j collett

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