Why Did the Manson Family Kill?

Disclaimer: The article mentions murder and assault. Reader discretion is advised.

The Manson Family, led by Charles Manson, rose to notoriety after the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders. Manson grew to become one of the most deadly serial killers in the world. He convinced a group of young people whom he formed a “family” with to commit some of the most brutal murders.

The word “pig” was written on the wall at the crime scene when authorities found an eight-month pregnant Sharon Tate brutally murdered by the Manson Family. Three other people who were at the residence Tate shared with her husband, Roman Polanski, on the night of August 8, 1969, were also killed. Investigators believe that Charles Manson, an ardent fan of The Beatles, was inspired by the band’s song “Piggies.”

According to TIME, Terry Melcher, who was the former owner of Sharon Tate’s house, reportedly refused to make a record with Charles Manson. The latter was an aspiring musician early on in life. He allegedly resented Melcher for denying him the opportunity. Investigators also suggest that the Manson Family might not have intended to kill Tate particularly. They might have been instructed to murder anyone who was in the house in a twisted plan for vengeance.

Charles Manson also led the Manson Family because of the belief that he should be starting a race war. He reportedly termed it “Helter Skelter.” The phrase was used to talk about the chaos that would ensue upon the framing of innocent black people.

According to CNN, Susan Atkins, who stabbed Sharon Tate multiple times, leading to her death, told an inmate, “Because we wanted to do a crime that would shock the world, that the world would have to stand up and take notice.”

How many people did the Manson Family kill?

26-year-old Sharon Tate was the Manson Family’s most famous victim and was eight-and-a-half months pregnant. She was beaten, stabbed and murdered. Her friends, Jay Sebring, a celebrity hairdresser, Abigail Folger, a coffee company heiress, and Wojciech Frykowski, an aspiring screenwriter, were at her home the night the intrusion occurred. All of them were violently killed by Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Charles Watson.

Apart from these four murders, a high school graduate named Steven Parent was also killed. Parent was on his way to meet an acquaintance near Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate’s home. Following this, the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, who were tied up at the home by Charles Manson, took place the next night. Manson had reportedly ordered his followers to kill them. The couple had no apparent connection to the Tate murders, according to AP News.

Susan Atkins, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Charles Watson were all found to be directly involved with the Tate-LaBianca murders. The Manson Family also included several other young people. Some engaged in other murders. However, other family members were not convicted of being physically involved in any of the murders.

The Manson Family was collectively indicted for seven murders. All of them happened within two days in August 1969 but managed to be remembered and dreaded for decades after. Charles Manson died at the age of 83. He was serving time at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation when he died in 2017. He also never admitted to ordering the Tate-LaBianca murders and maintained his innocence with respect to those deaths till he died.

Inside the Manson Cult: The Lost Tapes is a documentary about the Manson Family. It features interviews and also statements from some lesser-known members of the Manson Family. It is currently streaming on Vudu.

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