Who Was Charles Manson? All About the Infamous Cult Leader, the Manson Murders and Potential Involvement of the CIA in New ‘CHAOS’ Documentary

Charles Manson’s name is synonymous with one of the most notorious crime sprees in American history. Over fifty years after the tragic Tate-LaBianca murders, Manson’s influence on pop culture, crime, and conspiracy theories continues to captivate the public’s imagination. While the Manson Family’s shocking killings in 1969 might seem like a story long told, new revelations keep emerging about the enigmatic and dangerous figure who orchestrated them. Here’s a deeper look into the life of Charles Manson, his criminal activities, and the fallout from his reign of terror.

Who Was Charles Manson?

Charles Manson.
Photo: EPIX

Charles Manson was born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to a teenage mother who struggled with addiction and instability. His early life was marked by neglect, foster homes, and a criminal record by the time he was a teenager. Despite brief attempts to integrate into society, Manson was unable to avoid the cycles of crime that would come to define his future. Over the years, Manson developed a disturbing charisma, using his influence to gather a group of young followers who would later become infamous for their roles in a series of brutal murders.

The Manson Family and the Tate-LaBianca Murders

In 1968, Manson founded what became known as the “Manson Family” — a group of followers, mostly women, who were drawn to his charismatic yet manipulative personality. Manson convinced his followers that the world was on the brink of a race war, which he dubbed “Helter Skelter,” inspired by The Beatles’ White Album. In a shocking act of violence on August 8-10, 1969, Manson directed his followers to murder seven people, including the pregnant actress Sharon Tate, in a horrifying killing spree meant to ignite racial unrest.

Though Manson did not personally commit the murders, his influence over his followers led to his conviction for the killings. The story shocked the nation not only for the brutality of the murders but also for the surreal belief system Manson had instilled in his followers.

The Motive Behind the Murders: Helter Skelter and Beyond

At trial, prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi argued that Manson had orchestrated the murders to instigate a race war, a theory that became known as the “Helter Skelter” motive. Manson believed that the murders would trigger black people to rise up against white people. However, more recent accounts and investigations, such as those from journalist Tom O’Neill and documentary filmmaker Errol Morris, suggest that there may have been other factors at play, including Manson’s involvement in potentially covert operations like MK-Ultra, a CIA mind-control program.

Newly released recordings of Manson from his time in prison have raised further questions. In these tapes, Manson alluded to additional killings that were not part of the famous Tate-LaBianca murders, sparking new debates about his role in other violent acts and the true scope of his influence.

What Happened to Manson’s Followers?

Manson Family members Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle, and Leslie van Houton.
Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images

While some members of the Manson Family were convicted and sentenced to death, their sentences were commuted when California abolished the death penalty in 1972. Others, like Linda Kasabian, were granted immunity for testifying against Manson and his followers. Over the years, some Manson Family members have distanced themselves from him, while others remained loyal until his death.

Manson himself spent much of his life in prison, his notoriety never fading. He was denied parole several times before dying in 2017 from natural causes.

Recent Developments: New Theories and Insights

The Netflix documentary CHAOS: The Manson Murders has brought new attention to Manson’s disturbing life and legacy. Directed by Errol Morris and based on Tom O’Neill’s 2019 book CHAOS, the series questions the official narrative of the murders and delves into possible connections between Manson’s family and government experiments like MK-Ultra. These revelations have sparked renewed interest in Manson’s life and crimes, leaving many questions about his true motivations still unanswered.

In recent years, we’ve also learned about new details in the case. Manson’s tapes from prison reveal previously unknown killings, which raise further questions about the reach of his influence and the full extent of his criminal activities.

Where Are the Manson Family Members Now?

Leslie Van Houten attends a parole hearing in Corona, California, in 2017.
Photo: Stan Lim/AP

Some members of the Manson Family have served their sentences and are now living free, like Leslie Van Houten, who was freed in 2023 after serving 53 years, while others remain behind bars, including Patricia Krenwinkel, who has had her parole denied 15 times. However, two former followers, Bruce Davis and Bobby Beausoleil, have been recommended for parole, with Beausoleil scheduled for a final decision in 2025.

What Happened to Charles Manson’s Legacy?

Manson’s legacy continues to loom large, from books and documentaries to conspiracy theories and debates about the psychology of cult leaders. He remains a symbol of the dangers of manipulation, mind control, and the dark power of influence. While Manson died in 2017, his name still sparks fear and fascination, his story a chilling reminder of how one man’s delusions and toxic charisma led to one of the most horrific murder sprees in American history.

FAQs

Who were Charles Manson’s victims? Manson’s followers murdered nine people, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and others such as Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. These murders occurred over two nights in August 1969.

What is the “Helter Skelter” theory? Manson believed that a race war, which he called “Helter Skelter,” would be triggered by the murders. He thought that blacks would rise up and overthrow whites, and Manson and his followers would then rule over the survivors.

Where is Manson’s family today? Many of Manson’s followers were sentenced to life in prison, though some have been paroled or have had their parole hearings postponed. Notably, two members, Bobby Beausoleil and Bruce Davis, are under review for parole in 2025.