I don't really think wealth has anything to do with the interest in this case, it's more the fact he was an exceptional athlete and held in high regard due to his disability, and his ability to overcome adversity.

you could be right... 

I heard a comment on The Drum tonight... something along the line of it being fascinating because it was a disabled man with no legs that killed a beautiful model... 

I guess you could not even write a script for a movie like that...