Team owner Jerry Buss and the Lakers deal with the consequences of coach Jerry West’s resignation in the third episode of HBO’s “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.” They focus their hunt for a new coach on Jerry Tarkanian, a well-known but divisive college basketball coach.
However, the deal fell through as a result of what occurred to Tarkanian’s close buddy, Vic Weiss, who was negotiating his own contract at the time. So, how about we find out what happened to Vic?
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How Did Vic Weiss Pass Away?
Victor Weiss attended the same high school as Tarkanian in Pasadena, California. They became fast friends, and he took on the coach’s negotiations as a side project. Vic also had some success in real estate and insurance before going on to become a sports promoter.
Vic met with Jerry Buss and Jack Kent Cooke on June 14, 1979, to discuss Tarkarian being the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Vic was last seen driving away in his Rolls-Royce from the hotel where the conference took place that day in Beverly Hills, California. The 51-year-old was scheduled to take his wife, Rose, out to dinner, but he never returned.
Worried, she reported him missing, and Vic’s automobile was discovered in the parking lot of a motel in North Hollywood, California, on June 17, 1979.
Vic was discovered trussed and wrapped in a blanket in the trunk of the car. His hands were bound behind his back, and his body was deteriorating. Vic had a gunshot to the back of his head and another to his temple, indicating that he was murdered in the manner of execution.
Authorities were first perplexed because, while Vic’s wallet and briefcase were taken, his diamond ring and watch remained. As a result, robbery was ruled out as a possible motive.
Who Killed Vic Weiss And Why?
Vic’s identity was established using fingerprints after officials discovered no identification on the deceased. In addition, no hints or evidence were discovered in the car that could have led the authorities to the killer.
As a result, they turned their attention to Vic’s circle and his background. A frightening image soon emerged. Vic was seen in public with sports figures and genuine businessmen, but his personal connections were far from flattering. Vic was well-known for his illicit connections.
Vic was thought to own a few car dealerships, but it turned out he was just a hired consultant with no financial stake in the company. Vic’s ties to mobsters in Nevada and Florida were referenced in other tips obtained by the investigators.
On the condition of anonymity, a friend of Vic’s later spoke to the police. Vic, he claimed, had a gaming debt of more over $60,000 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To compensate, he was transporting laundered funds from California to Las Vegas.
Vic, on the other hand, is accused of skimming off the top of the laundered funds. Vic ignored the advice to halt and, as a result, was slain, according to the authorities. Another witness informed authorities that on the day Vic vanished, he pulled over his automobile in Encino, California, followed by another vehicle.
Vic then got into a heated argument with two males who emerged from the other vehicle. Vic and the two men then climbed into Vic’s Rolls-Royce, and both vehicles drove away.
The authorities only had a description of one of the men: he was tall and blond. The detectives working on the investigation were concerned that information was being leaked at the time and was hesitant to speak to anyone about it.
Several possible suspects in the case were eventually found deceased in separate events. The case has remained unresolved since then, although Vic’s ties to the mob became the most likely motive for his death.