Danny Lockin(1943-1977)

Danny Lockin lived in Orange County, California and worked at his mother's dance studio for several years after his appearance in "Hello Dolly" with Streisand. On August 21, 1977, he competed on "The Gong Show" and tied for first place. After the taping of that show in Los Angeles, he drove toward his home in Anaheim, but ended up at a bar in Garden Grove instead. He was later found murdered in a nearby apartment of Charles Hopkins who had stabbed him to death. Police found a "torture diary" under Hopkins' bed and prosecutors tried to pursue the death penalty using the pictures in the diary as evidence that Lockin's death was planned. However, Hopkins' trial was postponed because of a car accident, and in that time (lucky for Hopkins) the California Supreme Court ruled that such evidence found AFTER the initial crime scene investigation was NOT admissible. Without the diary to show premeditation, Hopkins was only found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to only four years in prison. Critics said justice hadn't been served, as Lockin was stabbed more than 100 times.

It seems that everyone who talks to me is more concerned about her [Barbra Streisand] than what I have to say. Then I'm misquoted. I really get bugged about that. I never said Barbra was the most super-colossal thing that ever happened. She's human. But I have more respect for her than anyone I've ever worked with. She is the most professional person I have ever experienced. She has never done anything unprofessional. But I deplore being used because of my association with her. -- DL, in a 1968 interview