Charles Manson

Charles Manson's life is a chilling tale of manipulation, crime, and infamy. Born on November 12, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Manson had a troubled childhood, marked by neglect and a series of run-ins with the law. By the time he was an adult, he had spent more than half his life in correctional institutions.

In the late 1960s, Manson emerged as the leader of a cult known as the "Manson Family." This group, composed mostly of young women, lived communally and followed Manson's bizarre teachings, which combined elements of religion, science fiction, and apocalyptic prophecy. Manson believed in an impending race war, which he referred to as "Helter Skelter," a term he borrowed from a Beatles song

Manson's influence over his followers was so profound that, in 1969, he orchestrated a series of brutal murders. The most infamous of these was the killing of actress Sharon Tate and four others at her Los Angeles home. Although Manson did not personally commit the murders, he was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, as his followers acted under his orders.

The trial of Manson and his followers captivated the nation, revealing the dark underbelly of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Manson spent the rest of his life in prison, where he remained a figure of fascination and revulsion until his death in 2017.

Manson's story is a grim reminder of the dangers of charismatic manipulation and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and society