The Murdering Millionaire

​We examine the shocking real-life crimes given the Hollywood treatment.

- Lianne La Borde

John du Pont was an eccentric millionaire who’d inherited his father’s sprawling Liseter Hall estate in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, in the 1980's.

The estate was once used for rearing champion horses, under the stable name Foxcatcher Farm.

But the philanthropist- turned-bird-watcher-turned- Olympic coach transformed Fox-catcher Farm into a luxurious training facility.

Du Pont had grown up with immense wealth and privilege. Using this, he scouted a world-class wrestling team, appointed himself its head coach.

The facility had a pool, shooting range, gym, and on-site accommodation for the sportsmen.

At first, the news was welcomed by the struggling wrestling community.

In 1986, duPont had lured 1984 Olympic Gold Medal winning wrestler Mark Schultz to be his key man.

At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Mark finished in sixth place while wrestling for Team Foxcatcher.

But du Pont would make eccentric Brothers Dave and Mark Schultz demands... Creepy and erratic, he’d threaten his wrestlers’ careers if they didn’t win.

Then, when his mother died, du Pont’s behaviour became increasingly bizarre.