Nineteen years ago, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star Kim Richards seemed to have it all. After finding success in films like Disney's 'Escape from Witch Mountain,' she met and was soon engaged to commodities salesman John J. Collett.

"She loved him and he loved her and it was like a fairy tale," his sister, Nina Stormo, told PEOPLE exclusively.

But in October 1991, her world shattered -- Collett was gunned down by a hit man outside a San Fernando Valley deli.

Richards had to identify Collett's body. Before his death, Collett had worked for a commodities firm that allegedly defrauded millions from investors, and many suspect his death may have been the result of a business scheme gone horribly wrong.

"It just tore her apart emotionally and she was not in good shape for a long time," Jan Collett, John's mother, told PEOPLE. "She really loved John. They were a good match."

In June 1993, Marva DeCarlo Johnson was found guilty of John Collett's murder and sentenced to 30-years-to-life in prison. Although prosecutors presented evidence that it was a paid hit, there was no evidence of who financed it or why.

Family and friends admit Richards has never recovered.

"Kim was always carrying around a lot of pain, subsequent to my son's death," Jan Collett said. "I really cared for Kim. I thought she was a really good person with a good heart."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20439856,00.html

Wow - I never knew any of this!! Poor Kim - God bless her and her late fiance's family. :rip:

She also played the little sister on Nanny & the Professor and a friend of Laura's on Little House on the Prairie. It seems to me she appeared on other shows in the late '60's and '70's. She was such a sweet little girl.

She also played the little sister on Nanny & the Professor and a friend of Laura's on Little House on the Prairie. It seems to me she appeared on other shows in the late '60's and '70's. She was such a sweet little girl.
She also played the youngest daughter on the sitcom "Hello Larry".

How did everyone miss that she is Paris Hiltons's aunt?

How did everyone miss that she is Paris Hiltons's aunt?
I never knew that. Actually, I haven't heard anything about Kim Richards the '80's, appearing in some movies. I only recently realized she was Kathy Hilton's sister, since she's on the latest Desperate Housewives of where-ever.

Yup - of the three acting Richards sisters (Kim, Kyle, and Kathy), Kathy Richards went on to marry hotel heir Rick Hilton and have four kids - including the infamous Paris. Trivia: Kathy Richards Hilton was the runner-up to play Jan Brady in the Variety Hour but lost out to Geri Reischl. Small world!!

Oy, oy,oy, it's a good thing for Marva DeCarlo Johnson that I'm not a prison guard at the prison where Johnson resides, because if I was, I'd have myself and fellow guards give him the Abu Ghraib treatment.

I watch Kim and her sister, Kyle on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Kim obviously has issues. Four kids, a couple of husbands. It's obvious that she drinks too much. I know she checked herself into a rehab. I wish her well. She's a sweet lady with a big heart.

Anyone know the timeline - was this murder in between her 2 marriages?