Michael Jackson Met 'Drunk' Doctor Who Gave Him Nose Job Through Liberace's Ex, Doc Claims (Exclusive)

Michael Jackson had an unexpected connection to one of Hollywood’s most notorious murder mysteries.

While he was making his way to the status of the King of Pop in the ’80s, he was “close” friends with the then-lover of the legendary Liberace, a man with underworld connections who would be a prosecution witness in one of the biggest murder trials in Hollywood history.

New documentary series The Wonderland Massacre and the Secret History of Hollywoodwhich premiered September 8 on MGM+, delves deep into the unsolved 1981 quadruple murder known as the Wonderland Murders. The film features a lengthy interview with Scott Thorson, Liberace’s ex, who once claimed to have had an affair with Jackson in the 80s.

First Emmy Awards: Elton John to pay tribute to Liberace

Thorson is interviewed by crime novelist Michael Connelly (Attorney Lincoln, Blood work) in a four-part documentary series directed by Alison Ellwood. In episode 2, which premiered on September 15, Thorson talks about his friendship with Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50.

Thorson does not link Jackson to the murders, but as he recalls his relationship with Nash, he talks about his turbulent romantic relationship with Liberace, who died in 1987 aged 67, and his “close” friendship with the music superstar.

Michael Jackson (left) and Liberace in 1984.

Collection of Mike Guastella/Ron Galella via Getty

PEOPLE has exclusive footage of Thorson talking about Jackson and the role he played in the King of Pop’s journey with cosmetic surgery.

“Michael and I became very close when Liberace introduced me to Michael,” Thorson recalls in the tape. “Later, Liberace decided to get plastic surgery. Michael decided to do the nose. I did the chin and nose. So we had it on the same day.”

Things did not go as planned with what had by then become routine procedure for Thorson. In the episode, he claims that Liberace forced him to undergo numerous surgeries performed by his personal plastic surgeon, the late Dr. Jack Startz, to make Thorson look more like his 40-year-older lover.

Scott Thorson (left) and Liberace in 1979.

Collection of Ron Galella via Getty

“The doctor came in, and he was drunk when he shot Liberace full of Demerol,” Thorson continues. “I had to take the needle from him. I had to do it; he was so drunk.”

Thorson had complicated feelings about what he said happened that day. “I almost feel guilty that Michael got a nose job because I introduced him to the doctor,” he says in the documentary. “That’s what started the plastic surgery. He didn’t like his nose. He always hated the way he looked. He thought he was ugly.”

Eddie Nash arrested in 1981.

Boris Yaro/Los Angeles Times via Getty

The Wonderland massacre was believed to be linked to organized crime and the LA drug underworld, and various suspects were implicated and prosecuted over the years, including nightclub owner and drug lord Eddie Nash, who allegedly masterminded the murders, and porn star John Holmes.

During the 1980s, Thorson, who died in August aged 65, was deeply involved in the Hollywood drug scene, in which Nash was a key figure. Thorson discusses his connection to Nash, the murders and Jackson in the documentaries.

John Holmes in court in 1981.

Bettmann/Getty

Holmes was indicted for his alleged involvement in the 1982 murders, but was eventually acquitted. He died in 1988 from complications caused by AIDS. Nash was tried for masterminding the murders in 1990, but the trial ended in a deadlocked jury.

Thorson was placed in the federal witness protection program and changed his name to Jess Marlow after testifying for the prosecution. He claimed that while visiting Nash’s home the night of the murders, he heard Nash order the shooting that later killed four people at a home on Wonderland Avenue in Laurel Canyon.

Holmes and Nash, who died in 2014 aged 85, inspired the characters played by Mark Wahlberg and Alfred Molina in the 1997 film. Boogie nights.

Michael Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray convicted

In the episode, Thorson also claims that Nash supplied the drugs that led to John Belushi’s fatal overdose in 1982, and also recalls his friendship with the late Richard Pryor.

Jackson died of cardiac arrest caused by a fatal overdose of sedatives and the anesthetic propofol. Propofol was administered by Dr. Conrad Murray, who was later convicted of manslaughter and served two years of a four-year prison sentence.

Thorson was portrayed by Matt Damon in the 2013 Emmy Award-winning HBO film Behind the Candelabrabased on Thorson’s 1988 memoir of the same name.

The Wonderland Massacre and the Secret History of Hollywood airs Sundays on MGM+. Episode 2 will be available to watch after its premiere on September 15th at 10:00 PM ET/PT.

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Source: HIS Education