Serial Killer Bedtime Stories: Charles Manson

Tonight's serial killer bedtime story is about one of the masters of the trade, Charles Manson. Charles Manson a bizarre, well-known, and feared criminal with a powerful ability to control his followers was responsible for the deaths of nine people, during a murderous rampage from July 25, 1969 through August 28, 1969.

The initial three crime scens had a common element -- large words smeared on the walls in the victim's blood. Words like "PIG" and "WAR" were left on doors and walls. These words were part of a grander plan stemming from Manson's apocolyptic delusion for taking over the United States, if not the world.

The evil bloody rampage started at Gary Hinman's home on July 25th; terminating with slow tortured death on July 27. Hinman was a gentle person and had been a good friend to Manson and his family. He was killed because he claimed he didn't have the money they were trying to steal from him. Manson, Robert "Bobby" Beausoleil, Atkins, Mary Brunner, and Bruce Davis.

On August 9, 1969, Tex Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian crept outside Tate’s Benedict Canyon home in the shortly after 12:30 AM. Before they entered the house, Watson shot Steven Parent, who had been visiting a friend in the caretaker’s cottage, a young man with his life ahead of him, as he begged for his life. Inside they massacred Sharon Tate who was eight and half months pregnant; her good friend, Jay Sebring who was visiting; coffee heiress Abigail "Gibby" Folger, and her lover Voytek Frykowski who were staying with Sharon until Roman returned.

On August 10th, Leno and Rosemary La Bianca, a wealthy, successful, retired couple, home in bed, became the next victims. Manson himself went to show the others how it's done. He went inside their house alone where he woke the couple out of a deep sleep with promises not to harm them if they cooperated. They did. He tied them to chairs. Then he returned to the car to send in Leslie Van Houten, Watson, and Krenwinkel to stab them to death. Manson hung out with Kasabian in the car while they carried out the rest of the carage. Kasabian cleaned and tossed out the wallet. These first eight victims died as part of Manson's apocalyptic vision beginning with a race war between black and white Americans.

August 28th, Manson stabbed Donald "Shortly" Shea to death out of vengeance. (There is strong evidence that he and his "family" were responsible for a number of other murders and crimes.)

As in any cult, Manson and the members fed off each other's delusions. The psychotic Helter Skelter plan came about as Manson and family, listened to the Beatles White Album high on LSD, favoring "Helter Skelter," "Revolution 9," "Black Bird," "Piggies," "Sexy Sadie," and "Back in the USSR." They believed the lyrics were prophetic and the messengers, the Beatles, were the prophets. Manson was obsessed with Holy Bible Book of Revelations Chapters 9 and 10. He cleverly quoted the Bible frequently while twisting the meaning to suit his motives. And he lived happily ever after . . . Sweet dreams, and may you forever remain Crazy 4 Crazies.