Drug abuse, marriage breakdown put Darren Thornburgh on path to sad demise
DARREN “Razzle” Thornburgh was planning a return to clubs after drugs, beatings and a marriage breakdown had him on the ropes. But an associate says the nightclub king’s big comeback was thwarted three weeks ago, when “he lost everything”.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DARREN “Razzle” Thornburgh was known as the king of clubs.
His Prahran nightclub Boutique was the go-to hotspot for the high-end celebrity set including Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Michael Schumacher, Russell Crowe, Ashton Kutcher, Jason Derulo, Tommy Lee, and many, many more.
MELBOURNE CLUB OWNER LED ‘ROCK STAR’ LIFESTYLE
“Razzle gave his club rock star status,” an associate and former co-worker said today.
“He was respected in the industry, and he knew what he was doing. He was definitely king of the nightclubs ... until other things took over.”
Friends and acquaintances say Thornburgh’s spiral started with his marriage breakdown, to wife Denise, in 2008, then escalated to drug use.
But before that, Boutique ruled the clubland.
“Boutique could never be replicated again. It was incredible, ” a former worker at the club said.
“Razzle created the atmosphere, the clientele, the celebrity appeal of the venue. He was the king of the nightclubs, but drugs took control of him.”
According to friends, Thornburgh grew up in Dandenong, but was easily lured to the bright lights and thumping beats in the city.
He nickname Razzle came from the diamond he implanted in his front tooth. “Razzle dazzle,” an associate sighed.
He started in nightclubs as a bus boy, and quickly moved through the ranks to management roles at the Warehouse club, in South Yarra, and Heat, at Crown Casino.
Thornburgh opened Boutique, in Greville St, in 2001.
“My days of listening to banging music have passed,” he said at the launch.
“Here I want plush surrounds with ambient music and the option of live music.’’
With Thornburgh’s bursting contact book filled with movie, television and music stars, Boutique soon cemented itself as the place to be.
“Razzle was great with the one percenters,” a former business partner said.
“He networked hard. He knew how to work people and he knew how to run a club.”
But friends and associates say his broken marriage, money problems and partying ways changed him dramatically. In 2011, he was made bankrupt after failing to pay a legal bill.
Worse, some claim Thornburgh was occasionally threatened or beaten by standover men chasing outstanding debts.
One associate claims Thornburgh handed over his Bentley to a pay a debt.
The threats caused Thornburgh to move into a suite at Crown, where he lived for four years, due to its 24-7 security.
A former Boutique worker said Thornburgh would often micromanage the club via five video screens connected to CCTV back at Greville St.
“He was definitely a character,” an associate said.
“He was a great guy to have on your side, and sometimes he wasn’t.”
Friends say Thornburgh moved out of Crown a year ago and divided his time between a property in South Yarra and Barmah in northern Victoria.
Business associates say his plan to return to clubland this year was thwarted three weeks ago, when landlords evicted him from Boutique.
“He lost the club,” an associate said, “which means he lost everything.”
The same associate claims Thornburgh checked into Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat last month to enrol in a detox program. Today, his friends and associates are in disbelief at Thornburgh’s untimely passing.
“He was an extremely strong person,” an associate said.
“I would be shocked if he took his own life. That’s not him. It’s not the way he operates. He would prefer to go out in a blaze of fire.”
Those needing help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, or beyondblue.
‘I wouldn’t even s*** that’: What you missed on Wentworth
Wentworth does WikiLeaks in the third episode of the new season, as the Foxtel drama welcomes a new face. And there’s drama for Reb and Lou. Warning: Spoilers.
Cocaine Cassie trades nude snaps for cash
Convicted South Australian drug smuggler “Cocaine Cassie” is swapping nude photos with men in Australia for cash while serving out the remainder of her sentence on parole in Colombia.