Murder Runs in the Family

Photo Sources: Time, IMDB, LinkedIn, Denver CBS Local

Charles Milles Manson led a group of followers in a short-lived killing spree in the late 1960’s. He, and his followers, committed 9 murders. Knowing what kind of upbringing Manson had, it really isn’t a surprise that he was a little “off” as an adult. As a child, he sold by his mother to a woman who wanted to have children for a pitcher of beer. It was his uncle who looked for him to bring him home. Then at 12, he began a life of being institutionalized off and on for many crimes. He also had a history of mental illness, including schizophrenia, and paranoid delusional behavior. When he was released at age 32, he was quoted as telling a guard that he didn’t want released because he “cant go outside there… I knew that I couldn’t adjust to that world, not after all my life had been spent locked up and where my mind was free.”

Manson met Gary Hinman, a music teacher, who began introducing him to several people in the music industry. Despite interest in his music, Manson was denied the opportunity to make a career out of it. Manson joined a commune and began to gather a following, know as his “family”. They followed him and did his bidding.

In July of 1969 Hinman was murdered by Bobby Beausoleil, who was one of Manson’s followers. He was accompanied by Mary Brunner and Susan Atkins, also followers. The murder was committed at the request of Manson.

Another person that Manson met on his music journey was a man by the name of Roman Polanski. On August 8–9, 1969, Atkins, along with Charles “Tex” Watson and Patricia Krenwinkel, entered the Polanski home and murdered Roman, his pregnant wife Sharon Tate, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Jay Sebring, and Steven Parent. Linda Kasabian was outside during the murders, serving as a lookout for the family.

Manson was supposedly upset by the sloppiness of the murders and took his family on a car ride to look for more victims the next night. Family members in the car that night were Atkins, Krenwinkel, Kasabian, Leslie Van Houten, and Steve “Clem” Grogan. They came upon the home of Leno LaBianca and wife Rosemary.

The LaBianca’s were on the way home from the lake with, along with Rosemary’s daughter Suzan Struthers. After dropping Suzan off at her apartment, Rosemary and Leno headed home. In the early hours of the morning, the LaBianca’s were tied up, and stabbed to death. Thier bodies were discovered by their children, Suzan and Frank.

In a horrific twist of fate, also in July, on the 3 rd, Suzan’s daughter, Ariana Jean Wolk was found murdered. She was also stabbed to death, just like the grandmother she never got the chance to meet. Also, like Rosemary, Ariana left behind a daughter. Although there has been an arrest in her murder, there is little else known besides the name of the suspect. No mugshot has been released at this time.

At this time, Leslie Van Houten is up for parole, again, for the 21st time. This time around is supposed to be the best chance yet for being paroled because she has been disciple-free since her incarceration in the early 70’s. She also has been active in several self-help programs and has had positive psychological reviews.

Is the LaBianca family cursed? Two murders, with similar M.O.’s, both committed in July, two generations apart, might lead one to question just such a thing.

Originally published at https://madgingerentertainment.com.