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Incredible aerial photos show Phil Spector’s murder mansion now has a new use

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The current leaseholder revealed what steps she took to make sure guests aren
The current leaseholder revealed what steps she took to make sure guests aren't reminded of Spector's terrible crime

PHIL Spector's infamous murder mansion has been transformed into a wedding venue that is being rented out for upscale events. 

The disgraced music legend’s former Pyrenees Castle home in LA’s San Gabriel Valley has been totally revamped and renamed Wrensmoor.  

New aerial photos of Phil Spector's infamous murder mansion show how the property has been totally revamped as a venue for upscale events eiqrqiediqkkprw
New aerial photos of Phil Spector's infamous murder mansion show how the property has been totally revamped as a venue for upscale eventsCredit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner
Music producer Phil Spector was found guilty of murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his LA mansion in 2003
Music producer Phil Spector was found guilty of murdering actress Lana Clarkson at his LA mansion in 2003Credit: Getty
Lana Clarkson was 40 years old when she was found slumped in a chair in Spector's foyer with a gunshot wound to the mouth
Lana Clarkson was 40 years old when she was found slumped in a chair in Spector's foyer with a gunshot wound to the mouthCredit: Reuters

Wall of Sound producer Spector murdered actress Lana Clarkson in the foyer of the residence in the city of Alhambra by shooting her in the mouth with a handgun in 2003.

In 2009, he was sentenced to 19 years to life in prison, where he died at age 81 in January 2021.

After his death, the property was inherited by his ex-wife, Rachelle Short, who sold it for $3.3 million.

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The 10-bedroom, 10,590-square-foot gated hilltop mansion is now being advertised as “perfect for weddings, family reunions, group travel, corporate events, retreats and more.”

It includes modern amenities such as a gourmet kitchen, fitness center, and a grand ballroom and costs around $2,700 to rent for one night.  

Aerial pictures exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun show how the mansion has been spruced up since being sold.

Cordelia Culver, who leases the property from the new owner and rents it out, told The U.S. Sun that Spector’s ex already had the blood-stained red carpet in the foyer removed before the property was sold. 

She said, “When we arrived, the entire entryway was tiled. 

“I think some people who rent the property know about what happened and others don’t. 

“We don’t shy away from the history but we also don’t try to glorify it in any way. 

“It is tragic and although it was 20 years ago, I’m sure it doesn’t feel that way to her family. It’s really awful.

“My interest is in this home that was built in 1925.

“There are not a lot of large, original properties left in Los Angeles. 

I'm a 'time traveler' - the 'worst case scenario that could kill us all'I'm a 'time traveler' - the 'worst case scenario that could kill us all'

“I choose not to believe that a house is the sum of its worst moments.

“Our interest is in having people enjoy the property and the view and in having joyous moments in their lives.”

Phil Spector bought Pyrenees Castle in LA's San Gabriel Valley in 1998 for $1.1 million
Phil Spector bought Pyrenees Castle in LA's San Gabriel Valley in 1998 for $1.1 millionCredit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner
The property is now being offered for 'weddings, family reunions, group travel, corporate events, retreats and more'
The property is now being offered for 'weddings, family reunions, group travel, corporate events, retreats and more'Credit: Wrensmoor
The current leaseholder explained how the foyer where Lana Clarkson died has been changed with a hand-painted mural depicting sheep herding
The current leaseholder explained how the foyer where Lana Clarkson died has been changed with a hand-painted mural depicting sheep herdingCredit: Wrensmoor

Spector - who produced music for superstars including The Beatles, Ike & Tina Turner, The Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, and The Ramones during his glittering career - originally bought the property in 1998 for $1.1 million.

He met Clarkson, 40, at the House of Blues bar in West Hollywood in the early hours of February 3, 2003, and drove back with her to his home. 

Later that morning, Clarkson was found slumped in a chair in the foyer area with a single gunshot wound to her mouth and broken teeth scattered over the carpet. 

Spector’s driver said the record producer had come out of the house holding a gun and said, “I think I’ve killed someone.”

Sporting a series of bizarre wigs in court, Spector was first tried for Clarkson’s murder in 2007 but a mistrial was declared due to a hung jury. 

Prosecutors had argued that Spector had a history of violence toward women and killed Clarkson in a drunken rage, while his defense team claimed her death was an accident and he was not responsible. 

Spector went on trial again for second-degree murder in October 2008 and was found guilty in April the following year.

In 2006, Spector married his third wife Rachelle Short - who was 26 years old at the time - while out on bail awaiting trial. 

The couple divorced in 2018 after Spector cited irreconcilable differences. 

He died in hospital in January 2021 after contracting Covid but would have been eligible for parole this year. 

Cordelia explained that although his property remains architecturally unchanged, she decided to give it a new name to help make sure there was nothing to remind people of Spector’s gruesome crime. 

“The reason I changed the name is because it had that association. When you looked up Pyrenees Castle, the first thing that came up was Phil Spector," she said.

“It didn’t feel right and needed a rebrand and rebirth. 

“Over the decades, the property has had different names. Originally it was just referred to as the house on the hill, which I think sounds creepy.

“That was because it was the only thing around when the property was built, there was no other housing around.

“The family that built it owned or leased all of the land around it for sheep herding, which is why we commissioned a very beautiful hand-painted mural in the entryway which depicts that time period with sheep grazing.  

“There was also a large chair in the foyer where she was found slumped. It was horrible, so we made sure there is no large chair there.”

Wrensmoor is a 10-room, 10,590-square-foot gated property located in LA's San Gabriel Valley
Wrensmoor is a 10-room, 10,590-square-foot gated property located in LA's San Gabriel ValleyCredit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner
Phil Spector sported bizarre wigs in court when he went on trial for Lana Clarkson's murder
Phil Spector sported bizarre wigs in court when he went on trial for Lana Clarkson's murderCredit: AP
Phil Spector's ex-wife Rachelle Short, pictured in July 2020, sold the property for $3.3 million in 2021
Phil Spector's ex-wife Rachelle Short, pictured in July 2020, sold the property for $3.3 million in 2021Credit: Jeff Rayner/Coleman-Rayner

Alex Diaz

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