This Disturbing Murder In Pennsylvania Is So Shocking It Inspired A Movie
By Beth Price-Williams|Published October 25, 2018
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Remember that old saying, “truth is stranger than fiction?” Well, sometimes the truth is so shocking, so disturbing, that it leaves us shaking our heads. And while we’re shaking our heads, Hollywood steps in. Like with the story of billionaire John Du Pont, born into the upper echelons of society, only to die alone in prison, a convicted murderer. Hollywood’s Foxcatcher tells the tale of the murder of Olympic wrestler, Dave Schultz, at the hands of Du Pont. Here’s the story of the murder in Pennsylvania that shocked so many.
Heir to the Dupont family fortune, John Du Pont grew up on a sprawling 800-acre estate, called Foxcatcher, outside of Philadelphia. For much of his childhood, he lived alone with his mother, isolated from others his age.
Despite his eccentricities, Du Pont started - and ran - a training facility for Olympic wrestlers, including brothers Mark and Dave Schutlz, at Foxcatcher Estate.
Then, Du Pont's eccentricities - which some cited as mental illness - began to grow. He often carried a gun with him, threatening even those who so much as startled him, according to newspaper reports.
Steve Carell, above, portrayed Du Pont in Foxcatcher.
Then, on a bitter January day in 1996, Du Pont drove, gun in hand, to Dave Schutlz's house. Reports say Schultz greeted him with a smile. Du Pont responded by shooting the wrestler dead.
And, in 2004, Hollywood decided to tell the tale in the film Foxcatcher, starring Steve Carell (Du Pont), Mark Ruffalo (Dave Schultz), and Channing Tatum (Mark Schultz).
Channing Tatum, above, played Mark Schultz while Mark Ruffalo portrayed Dave Schultz.
Did you know about this murder in Pennsylvania before the film came out? Join the conversation below! And, if you like watching movies that star Pennsylvania, here are 10 films to add to your watch list. Click here to read more.
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