In 1969, the entertainment industry was rocked by the shocking murder of rising star Sharon Tate.
She was brutally stabbed 16 times in her own home while nearly nine months pregnant, a victim of the notorious Manson Family's killing spree in Los Angeles.
Four others were also killed in the horrific event on August 8.
Led by the psychopathic Charles Manson, the Manson Family went on to commit more heinous crimes.
The following day, they murdered married couple Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
They also attempted to recruit Bernard “Lotsapoppa” Crowe and Gary Allen Hinman into their cult but ended up killing them instead.
While these are the known victims of the Manson Family, there have been speculations and links to other unsolved murders over the years.
Let's explore some of the mysteries and rumors surrounding this infamous cult.
Additional Murder Victims:
Apart from their killing spree, the Manson Family has been associated with several cold cases.
Two such cases involve the murders of Doreen Gaul, 19, and James Sharp, 15.
Their bodies were found in November 1969, dumped in an alley behind a house in LA.
Both victims had been brutally stabbed over 50 times, similar to the Manson Family's victims.
Interestingly, they belonged to a Scientology offshoot group called the Process of the Final Judgement, which Manson was connected to.
Another mysterious case is that of an unidentified woman who suffered 157 stab wounds.
Her body was found near Mullholland Drive in 1969 and was only identified as Reet Jurvetson in 2016.
The excessive overkill in these murders aligns with the Manson Family's modus operandi.
Family Connections:
There are rumors surrounding Manson's family history and his alleged involvement in the deaths of his apparent uncle, Darwin Scott, and unknown father, Colonel Walker Henderson Scott Sr. Manson's murky family background adds to the enigma surrounding him.
Additionally, Ronald Hughes, a lawyer for cult member Leslie Van Houten, mysteriously disappeared in 1971.
Although his decomposed body was eventually found, the circumstances of his death remain mysterious.
Satanic Network Theory:
Years after the Manson Family murders, journalist Maury Terry investigated the Son of Sam murders committed by David Berkowitz.
Terry became fixated on the idea that Berkowitz was part of a larger satanic network with links to Manson.
He believed this network was responsible for multiple ritualistic murders across California, Texas, and New York.
While this theory was never fully substantiated, Terry's pursuit of the truth haunted him until his death in 2015.
Dennis Wilson's Connection:
Beach Boys member Dennis Wilson had a brief but close relationship with the Manson Family in 1968.
He allowed members of the cult to stay in his residence, provided them with financial support, and even recorded one of Manson's songs.
However, their relationship turned sour when Wilson failed to credit Manson for the song.
Wilson claimed to have witnessed Manson personally commit murder, which would be the first direct accusation against Manson himself.
Race War Agenda:
The motive behind the Manson Family's killing spree remains unclear, but one prevailing theory suggests that Manson aimed to ignite a nationwide race war.
He believed that tensions between black and white Americans were at a breaking point and saw signs of an imminent “race apocalypse” in popular culture and religious texts.
This theory connects the Manson Family's actions to the social unrest of the time.
Did Doris Day Save Her Son?
Charles Manson believed he could become a pop star and befriended music producer Terry Melcher, son of screen legend Doris Day.
Terry visited Manson's home but quickly became disillusioned with the cult and distanced himself.
Several months later, the Tate murders took place at the house Terry had just moved out of.
It was speculated that Terry was the intended target, but it was later confirmed that Manson knew he had left.
Despite this, Terry lived in fear of becoming the cult's next victim until his death in 2004.
These unsolved mysteries surrounding the Manson Family continue to captivate and intrigue people.
They shed light on the chilling crimes committed by this cult and the unanswered questions that still remain.
As time goes on, the truth may gradually unfold, providing closure to the victims' families and a deeper understanding of the dark motivations behind these heinous acts.
