Rest in Peace Lou Perryman (L.G. in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2) Tragic

Lou Perryman, 67,
stabbed to death
Famous Texas actor attacked randomly,
police say
Updated: Friday, 03 Apr 2009, 6:23 PM CDT
Published : Friday, 03 Apr 2009, 1:44 PM CDT

Matt Flener
Blair Shiff, Karen Brooks
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Famed Texas actor, Lou Perryman , was found dead in his home on Thursday, the victim of an apparent homicide.

He was 67.

Police have Seth Tatum, 26, in custody and plan to file capital murder charges against him in connection with his death. Authorities are calling it a random attack, and say they do not believe the two men knew each other.

They say Tatum attacked his stepfather, Carl Drake, with gardening shears at their home around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

"We believe that shortly after, he went to the address on Darvonne (where Perryman was later found), and we don’t know what transpired," said Austin police Officer Veneza Aguinaga. "But we think that Perryman was killed sometime shortly after that aggravated assault."

Police say Tatum stole the actor's car and drove off. It wasn't until the next day, Thursday, that Tatum turned himself in at the courthouse, telling authorities that the car he was driving was stolen and that he may have killed the car's owner.

"[Tatum] said, 'That's a stolen car,' and I'm pretty sure that I killed the owner of that car," said Austin Police Detective Jose Chacon.

Perryman was found dead at his home a short while later.

Tatum has a history of mental issues and assaults, court records say.

In November 2005, Tatum robbed Drake by hitting him over the head with a frying pan before stealing his wallet while the man was unconscious, according to court papers.

He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2006, and appears to have been released about one month ago.

Austin Police Officer Shawn Lapuszynski said Tatum just recently returned from a three week stay in Oklahoma and had been in Austin for about three days.

He said Tatum attacked his stepfather and left him with a broken skull and lacerations.

Perryman's Legacy

Among Perryman's most famous films were "The Whole Shooting Match," "Poltergeist" and "The Blues Brothers."

Perryman's longtime friend, Wayne Bell, described the death as "...a heartbreaking loss."

"You can see it in the 'Whole Shooting Match' and a few other films that he did something wonderful," said Bell. "We'll always be the better for it."

"Lou Perryman was a special Austin character, an original Austin character," said Bell


I can't believe this sad, sad news. Lou played the lovable character of L.G. in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. He was supposed to be at the Wasteland this weekend because he worked behind the scenes in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and this was one of the reunion shows.

I met Lou some years back at the Wasteland and he was one of my favorite people. There was not a mean bone in that man's body. He was as sweet as pie and a real character to boot. Lou was a funny man and very outgoing and loved his fans as much as they loved him! I'm am deeply upset and quite frankly shocked from this news. I can't even imagine this nice man dying by the hands of someone else in a violent manner. Rest in peace Lou, I really loved you and you will always hold a special place in my heart for your characterization of L.G., Mr. "I built ya a little fry house!"