Weekend at Columbo's

Above me is the crypt of Russ Columbo. Columbo was considered a crooner, although he despised the title.  

On September 2nd, 1934, Columbo was accidentally shot by Lansing Brown while looking at antique pistols. Brown described that the bullet ricocheted off a nearby table and entered Columbo's brain above his eye. Six hours later, at Good Samaritan Hospital of Los Angeles, Columbo died after surgeons failed to remove the bullet.

What happened after Columbo's death is especially interesting.

At this point in time, Columbo's mother was sick with a heart condition, and his siblings feared that the discovery of her son's death might send her to an early grave. So... logical conclusion? They kept his death a secret. Feeling as if the charade would only have to last for a short time due to her current illness, they began a game of lies to account for Russ' absence. Unbeknownst to Columbo's siblings, however, Mother lived for another 10 years. Keeping up appearances, Columbo's siblings would send letters to their mother signed by "Russ". All the while, Russ had been at Forest Lawn Glendale in The Great Mausoleum.

I'm sure Columbo's mother was pleasantly surprised when she met her son in the afterlife.

To locate Russ Columbo's crypt, head to The Great Mausoleum. Take the main entrance where the ticket booth is located. I have never tried to freely walk in since there is always someone standing watch over the entrance. Let the Forest Lawn employee know that you are there to see The Last Supper and they will wave you in. Once inside, take the main hallway straight. You will arrive at a statue of a large angel (Elizabeth Taylor's crypt), go to your left. Find the "Sanctuary of Vespers", which is the first corridor on your left. Columbo's crypt will be inside on the left-hand side, above eye level.