A Thoughtful Look at ‘My Brother’s Killer’: Rachel Mason’s Documentary Tackles an Unsolved LA Murder Case at SXSW
Rachel Mason’s 2019 documentary feature Circus of Books took viewers inside a unique family-owned business, centered around her parents, Barry and Karen Mason. The film chronicles the history of their West Hollywood bookstore, which became a cornerstone of the local gay scene, known for its extensive selection of sex toys, adult magazines, and DVDs. Beyond its surface, the documentary also highlights Barry’s persecution by Ronald Reagan’s FBI on obscenity charges, intertwined with the devastating impacts of the 1980s AIDS crisis.
In her latest work, My Brother’s Killer, Mason explores an unsolved murder that occurred during the same era. The investigation begins with her inquiry into the disappearance of Billy London (also known as William Arnold Newton), a 25-year-old regular at the bookstore and an occasional porn actor. He went missing in October 1990, shortly before Halloween, only for his severed head and feet to be discovered days later in a nearby dumpster, while the rest of his body remains unaccounted for.
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The murder sent shockwaves through the community, as Billy was a well-known figure in the area. As Chi Chi LaRue, director and new owner of the relocated Circus of Books, commented, “It was so gruesome, so dastardly, and so macabre.” The investigation remained unsolved for years, leading Mason to begin her documentary in the early 2000s. Many might assume that the LAPD lacked concern over the case; however, the film reveals the significant time and effort dedicating to solving the murder, particularly by detectives Wendi Berndt, who never lost hope, and John Lamberti, who reopened the investigation as a cold case.
Mason effectively situates the audience in the tumultuous atmosphere of the time, when murder rates peaked – LA’s violent crime rate reached 1,758.4 per 100,000 residents in 1990, roughly double the current figure. During this volatile period, gay men faced increased vulnerability to unprovoked attacks, and when Billy vanished, many speculated that he may have simply “got in the wrong car.” Mason vividly captures the bustling street life with archival footage of popular bars, including a nod to the Donut Time store featured in Sean Baker’s film Tangerine.
Initially, Billy’s partner, Marc Rabins, became the primary suspect in the case. However, even investigators stated their belief in his innocence, despite lingering doubts. The investigation took an unexpected turn when Mason, alongside podcasters Christopher Rice and Eric Shaw Quinn, uncovered insights through Clark Williams, a social worker with connections to Billy’s background. Williams, similar in age and origin to the victim, plays a crucial role in piecing together the story of London’s tragic life, with the poignant opening of the film featuring Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy.”
Williams emerges as a central figure in the narrative, illuminating the circumstances surrounding Billy’s life and leading the investigation toward a remarkable conclusion. The film ultimately brings closure to those who loved Billy, while serving as a heartfelt tribute to a romantic loner. His haunting poem “A Piece of Me” bookends the documentary, offering a poignant reflection on a future that could have been but never was.
Title: My Brother’s Killer
Festival: SXSW (Documentary Spotlight)
Director: Rachel Mason
Sales: Submarine Entertainment/UTA
Running time: 1 hr 35 mins
