Manson Family

"The Manson Family" redirects here. For the film, see The Manson Family (film).

Manson Family
LeaderCharles Manson[1]
Foundation1967
Dates of operation1967–1969
Dissolved1970
CountryUnited States
MotivesIncitement of a race war[1]
Headquarters
Major actionsMurder, assault, theft
Notable attacksTate–LaBianca murders, Attempted assassination of Gerald Ford (Sacramento), Murder of Donald Shea
StatusDissolved upon arrest of Manson and other members
Size100 members

The Manson Family (known among its members as the Family) was a commune, gang, and cult led by criminal Charles Manson that was active in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[1][2][3] The group at its peak consisted of approximately 100 followers, who lived an unconventional lifestyle, frequently using psychoactive drugs, including amphetamine and hallucinogens such as LSD.[1][4] Most were young women from middle-class backgrounds, many of whom were attracted by hippie counterculture and communal living, and then radicalized by Manson's teachings.[1][5] The group murdered at least 9 people,[1] though they may have killed as many as 24.

Manson was born in 1934 and had been institutionalized or incarcerated for more than half of his life by the time he was released from prison in 1967. He began attracting acolytes in the San Francisco area. They gradually moved to a run-down ranch, called the Spahn Ranch, in Los Angeles County.[6] The ranch burned down during a Southern California wildfire in September 1970.

According to group member Susan Atkins, the members of the Family became convinced that Manson was a manifestation of Jesus Christ,[1] and believed in his prophecies concerning an imminent, apocalyptic race war.[1][7][8]

In 1969, Manson Family members Susan Atkins, Tex Watson, and Patricia Krenwinkel entered the home of Hollywood actress Sharon Tate and murdered her and four others. Linda Kasabian was also present, but did not take part. The following night, members of the Family murdered supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary at their home in Los Angeles. Members also committed a number of assaults, petty crimes, theft and street vandalism, including an assassination attempt on U.S. President Gerald Ford in 1975 by Manson Family member Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Juschka, Darlene M. (2023). "Chapter 4: Space Aliens and Deities Compared". In Freudenberg, Maren; Elwert, Frederik; Karis, Tim; Radermacher, Martin; Schlamelcher, Jens (eds.). Stepping Back and Looking Ahead: Twelve Years of Studying Religious Contact at the Käte Hamburger Kolleg Bochum. Dynamics in the History of Religions. Vol. 13. Leiden and Boston: Brill Publishers. pp. 124–145. doi:10.1163/9789004549319_006. ISBN 978-90-04-54931-9. ISSN 1878-8106.
  2. ^ "What ever happened to the other Manson family cult members?". NBC News. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  3. ^ "The Infamous Manson Family". Biography. Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "Charles Manson". Biography. Archived from the original on April 9, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  5. ^ "Where are the Manson Family members now?". bbc.co.uk. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on July 28, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "How Spahn Ranch Became a Headquarters for the Manson Family Cult". History.com. August 8, 2019. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  7. ^ "Susan Atkins 12/1/69 Caruso/Caballero Interview – Charles Manson Family and Sharon Tate-Labianca Murders Updates & News". Cielodrive.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "Grand Jury Testimony: Susan Atkins". Cielodrive.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2018.