Occupation: Actress

Relationships: James Blackthorne

Appearances: Season 1

Who’d Play Her: Josie Bissett

That Girl from Malibu High: Lara Devon first became famous as a teenage actress on the hit 1990s soap Malibu High. The sudden fame and pressures of young stardom eventually gave way to a serious drinking problem that derailed much of her early career. Years later, Lara experienced an unexpected resurgence through appearances on various reality shows, reintroducing herself to the public and reclaiming a place in the spotlight.

During this later chapter of her life, Lara met powerful movie producer James Blackthorne. The two fell in love and married, giving Lara the stability and sense of belonging she had struggled to find for years. Their relationship was eventually strained, however, by addiction, emotional instability, and repeated periods of separation. After completing a stay in rehabilitation, Lara returned home hoping to rebuild her marriage and reclaim the life she feared had begun moving on without her.

Instead, she became increasingly convinced that James was having an affair with Suzanne Rogers. Although James and Suzanne’s relationship was platonic, he had become an important source of support for Suzanne and concealed some of their contact because he feared Lara’s reaction. His secrecy only reinforced her suspicions.

Lara began searching for proof, finding lipstick on James’s shirt, reading Suzanne’s messages, and following him to her condominium. Her jealousy intensified after James admitted that he was no longer certain he wanted to remain married.

The conflict eventually became public when Lara confronted Suzanne on Rodeo Drive and attacked her with cruel remarks about her past, including the death of her son Benji. Suzanne slapped her in front of witnesses and cameras, further humiliating Lara and convincing her that Suzanne had become the obstacle standing between her and James.

Mickey Donovan encouraged Lara to fight for her marriage, suggesting that removing Suzanne from the picture would allow both of them to reclaim the people they loved. Drunk, emotionally unstable, and armed with a steak knife, Lara broke into Suzanne’s condominium.

Suzanne had been given a handgun by James for protection from Mickey. When Lara attacked, the two women struggled, and the gun discharged, killing Lara. Terrified that their public confrontation would make her appear guilty, Suzanne concealed the body until Mickey arrived and took control of the situation.

Mickey removed all evidence from the condominium and buried Lara beneath fresh concrete at an Arts District construction site. James remained unaware of what had happened to his wife, believing only that she had disappeared after the collapse of their marriage.

Unknown to Suzanne, Lara’s phone had recorded part of the confrontation, including her threats and the struggle. The footage proved that Suzanne had acted in self-defense, but Mickey hid the phone inside his private safe, preserving the secret for his own purposes.