Inside Charles Manson's Twisted Journey: How Far Was Scientology's Reach?

We began with episode one , the enigmatic L Ron Hubbard , exploring the complex figure who laid the foundation for Scientology , setting the stage for everything else to come . In episode two , we trace the meteial rise of David Miscavige and his rise to power , uncovering how he ascended to the helm and reshaped the organization's future .

In Heber Gensch A Tale of Faith , power and Betrayal , we saw how devotion and ambition could clash with devastating personal consequences . This led us to one of Scientology's most scandalous incidents Spiraling into Darkness the Lisa McPherson tragedy , a haunting three-part series that examined her life struggles and the troubling circumstances of her final days .

Afterwards , we took an even darker turn , stepping inside Scientology's secret prison the dark truth of the RPF , uncovering hidden stories of confinement and control .

A series of brutal murders , so savage and random , shattered the illusion of safety and sent the entire nation spiraling into fear . At the center of that terror was a man named Charles Manson , a drifter with a hypnotic gaze and a vision so twisted that he managed to convince a group of young , idealistic followers to become killers .

Manson promised his followers love and enlightenment , but what he delivered was a prophecy of chaos . He called helter-skelter , a delusional , apocalyptic vision that ended in bloodshed . Tonight , on the season finale of Sins of Scientology , we unravel the chilling story of Manson and the cult-like hold he had over his family of followers .

We'll take you inside the brutal nights on Cielo Drive and Waverly Drive , exploring how Manson turned love into fear and peace into violence . We'll examine how a man with no real power or wealth managed to become one of the most feared figures in the 20th century .

We're also going to dive into Manson's brief but intriguing connection to Scientology and how certain psychological techniques may have inspired his own methods of control . But be warned this is not just the story about murder . It is about the fragility of the human mind and how easily belief can be twisted into something monstrous .

I'm Sandy McKenna and along with my co-host , Abraham Ulrich , we peel back the layers of one of the most terrifying chapters in American history . This is the Sins of Scientology .

She drank heavily and found herself entangled in relationships that were as chaotic as her own life . Charles' father , a transient man named Colonel Walker Henderson Scott Sr , was never present , abandoning Kathleen as soon as he learned of her pregnancy .

With no father figure in sight and a mother whose presence was often overshadowed by her misadventures , charles' early life was fraught with instability . The story of Charles Manson's childhood is a hunter portrait of neglect .

Kathleen , after Manson was born , briefly married a man named William Manson , and it was from him that Charles would take the last name that would become infamous in American history . But the marriage was short-lived and Kathleen's attempt to maintain any resemblance of a traditional family life unraveled quickly .

By the time he was five years old , charles was already witnessing the harsh realities of an unpredictable life . There are reports of Kathleen even attempting to trade young Charles for a pitcher of beer at a bar , an anecdote that became a grim symbol of the brokenness of his childhood . Though her attempts to relinquish him were unsuccessful , the damage was done .

When Manson was nine years old , Kathleen was arrested for armed robbery alongside her brother . She was sentenced to five years in prison , leaving Charles to bounce between various relatives and state institutions . During this time , he developed a sense of abandonment and mistrust , fostering a rebellious spirit that would only grow as he aged .

His relatives were unable or unwilling to provide the emotional warmth he craved . Many of his caretakers found his behavior troublesome , but none could have foreseen the darkness that was slowly taking root in his young mind .

At the age of 12 , manson was sent to the Gibbult School of Boys in Terre Haute , indiana , a reformed school designed to rehabilitate wayward youth . The institution was meant to teach discipline and respect , but for Charles it was a breeding ground of resentment . He ran away from school multiple times , often living on the streets or stealing to survive .

By his teenage years , he had already begun to build a criminal record , which included theft , armed robbery and other petty crimes . The state had a clear picture this was a boy on a fast track to a life of crime . Mance's time in and out of juvenile facilities between ages 13 and 18 was marked by continuous turmoil .

He was sent to the Indiana Boys School where he later claimed other inmates physically and sexually abused him . He learned quickly how to manipulate and survive in environments full of predators , skill that would later become his most dangerous weapon . At one point he escaped the Indiana Boys School and fled to his mother , hoping she would take him in .

Instead , she rejected him . A moment that cut deep and left the mark of pain and betrayal he never forgot . Following the crushing moment , manson drifted from one facility to another . In the late 1940s he was transferred to the Natural Bridge Honor Camp , a minimum security institution in Virginia , but escape seemed to be the only thing on his mind .

He attempted several more getaways , stealing cars , breaking into stores and generally thumping his nose at any authority figure that tried to tame him . By the time he turned 18 in 1952 , manson had spent most of his adolescence in reform school and any dream of a normal life were long gone .

He was hardened , angry and determined to never be the one left powerless again . Charles Manson had become a young man who knew how to use charm as a defense mechanism , manipulating people even then , to get what he wanted . He has studied and absorbed the art of manipulation , understanding how to twist emotions and exploit the vulnerabilities of others .

As he reached adulthood , manson had already embraced the pattern of crime and coercion Set in the stage for the unsettling chapter that would follow in his life story . Manson's path to infamy was far from accidental . It was paved of neglect , abuse and his own blossoming criminal ingenuity .

This was the making of a man who would later capture the darkest recesses of America's imagination . His early years were the foundation on which he would build a house of horrors that no one would ever forget .

He was in his late 20s , a young man , deeply troubled , who had spent more time in prison than in the outside world . The walls of McNeil Island had seen countless men come and go , but few would leave such a lasting and sinister legacy as Charles Manson . Mcneil Island wasn't just a place of punishment . It was also kind of a place where you could learn .

Inmates often had access to educational programs and , more importantly , to each other . The prison was a melting pot of ideas , schemes and philosophies , and it was here , in this confined world of concrete and iron , that Manson's curiosity was piqued by a religion that was gaining popularity even among the incarcerated it was Scientology .

The 1960s were a time when people , even in prison , were searching for new paths to enlightenment , and Scientology was marked as just that a way to unlock the human mind's full potential and free oneself from the chains of the past . Manson , always hungry for knowledge that could give him an edge was immediately intrigued .

Scientology seemed to offer something he had always craved the promise of control , not just over himself but potentially over others . He began to devour the teachings of L Ron Hubbard , the founder of Scientology , who had penned countless texts and self-help philosophies aimed at mastering the mind . Manson wasn't just a passive observer .

He threw himself into the courses offered within the prison walls , attending auditing sessions and completing over 150 hours of training . Auditing in Scientology is a practice designed to help individuals confront and clear negative experiences referred to as engrams from their subconscious minds .

In these sessions , an auditor guides the participant through past traumas , aiming to strip away emotional baggage and elevate them to a higher state of being . For Manson , these sessions were more than just spiritual exercises . They were a blueprint for manipulation . As he sat in those auditing rooms , manson wasn't just seeking personal freedom .

He was taking mental notes , observing how the process of questioning and confronting memories could make people feel vulnerable and open to suggestions . In his twisted mind , manson saw an opportunity . He began to grasp how Scientology's techniques could be adapted for his own purposes .

He watched as his fellow inmates seemed to open up , becoming pliable under the careful and methodical questioning of an auditor . If the mind could be unburdened and reshaped , manson realized it could also be manipulated .

Here was a man who had always felt powerless , and Scientology offered him a way to grasp a sense of control , even if only in theory , but in true Manson fashion . He grew disillusioned . The teachings of L Ron Hubbard , with their promise of spiritual salvation , ultimately left him wanting more .

Manson craved a deeper power , one that would not only change his inner self but also allow him to dominate and influence those around him . He once reportedly dismissed Scientology , claiming it was inadequate for his needs , calling it a weak religion that failed to deliver the mastery he sought . For Manson , it wasn't enough just to clear his mind .

He wanted to bend the minds of others to his will . Despite this disillusionment , his time spent with Scientology was not wasted . It added to the arsenal of psychological tricks and tools that he would later employ with deadly precision .

He combined the concepts he had learned about probing the subconscious and breaking down emotional barriers with other philosophies and manipulative tactics that he picked up over the years . This confluence of ideas would form the bedrock of mind-control techniques he later used to build and maintain his cult , the Manson family .

When he finally left McNeil Island Penitentiary in 1967 , manson was not just an ex-con with a guitar and a dream of becoming a rock star . He was now armed with a dangerous understanding of human psychology , a knowledge that would prove fatal in years to come .

His time immersed in Scientology's practices may have been brief , but the impact was lasting , planting seeds of manipulation that would eventually bear the blood-stained fruit of one of America's most infamous crimes . Manson's brush with Scientology was just one chapter in a life marked by a quest for control , but it was a pivotal one .

It was here that he began to fully understand the power of suggestions and the allure of spiritual promises , a knowledge that he would wield with devastating effect as he prepared to step back into the outside world . Charles Manson was more than just a man . He was a ticking time bomb .

How did a man who drifted from one prison to another come to command such absolute devotion from his followers ? The answer lies in his mastery of psychological manipulation , a skill he honed in prison from various influences . Interestingly enough , scientology . Manson's tactics were insidious and carefully crafted .

At the heart of his control Was the way he broke his followers sense of self . He targeted vulnerable people , most the young women who had been searching for a purpose or escape from their troubled past . He isolated them from their families , moved them into the seclusion of the spawn ranch and bombarded them with a mix of love and fear .

One former member recalled he made you feel like you were the most special person in the world one moment , and the next he teared you down until you didn't know which way was up . You lived for his approval and he knew it . Manson was a master of love bombing , a tactic seen in many cults .

He would overwhelm new recruits with affection and promises of a utopian family where they would find acceptance . Then he suddenly started to control their thoughts , often using a combination of sleep deprivation , repetitive messaging and communal rituals that kept his followers in a heightened emotional state .

He'd play the guitar and weave these hypnotic speeches about the apocalypse , about his twisted interpretation of the Beatles' helter-skelter , convincing his followers they were soldiers in a coming race war that only he could guide them . And here's where the Scientology connection gets interesting .

While Manson wasn't a practicing Scientologist when he formed the Manson family , some of his psychological control methods bear resemblance to the techniques he likely picked up during those 150 hours of auditing sessions at McNeil Island Penitentiary .

The basic premise of auditing in Scientology is to dig deep into a person's traumas or engrams with the goal of freeing them from emotional pain . The auditor asks proven questions , often repeatedly , until the subject reveals deeply buried memories making them vulnerable . Manson adapted this idea , but twisted it into something far more sinister .

Instead of helping his followers release their trauma , he used their confessions and vulnerabilities to control them . Former family members have said that Manson will conduct his own twisted form of auditing , asking deeply personal questions to expose their secrets .

He then used this knowledge to bind them to him , constantly reminding them that he knew everything about them and that leaving or betraying him would be unthinkable . Cults often rely on a form of indoctrination that keeps members emotionally dependent and mentally exhausted , and Manson was no different .

The parallels of Scientology's indoctrination , as some experts have noted , are striking . Dr Stephen Hassan , a leading expert on cults , pointed out that both Scientology and the Manson family use the version of what's called thought reform .

In this process , a person's critical thinking skills are systematically broken down through repetitive teachings and psychological pressure , leaving them open to new beliefs and directives .

Manson's techniques , hassan said in a 2018 interview , weren't as structured as Scientology's , but had the same goal to create a sense of dependence and eliminate a person's ability to think independently . Former Scientologists have also weighed in on these similarities .

One former member of the church , who has since become a vocal critic , made an observation when I look back at how Manson manipulated his followers , I can see elements of the auditing process . The idea of making someone relive their trauma over and over is a way to disarm them . Manson learned that in prison and used it to horrific effects .

Manson's charisma was the final piece of the puzzle . He knew how to perform , how to draw people in with his magnetic charm and mask the darkness within . At Spahn Ranch , he was the messiah . His followers believed in , a master illusionist who convinced them to see the world through his apocalyptic lens .

He blended pieces of Scientology's mind-control techniques , his own street-smart cunning and the power of suggestion into a terrifying cocktail that left his followers spellbound .

He played the guitar like a shaman conducting a ritual , singing songs that seemed to speak to the souls of all those around him . His followers , many of them young women in their late teens and early twenties , hung on his every word . He had a knack for finding vulnerable ones .

Those who had run away from home felt unloved or were desperate for a father figure . To them , manson offered unconditional acceptance . He gave them nicknames , made them feel special and promised them a new family , one that would never judge or abandon them In Charlie's world . One former member later said it was like we were finally seen , finally loved .

We were free to be whoever he wanted us to be , and that was the key . Manson's version of freedom was an illusion , a carefully orchestrated trap . As the family grew , manson took them to the Spahn Ranch , a dusty , desolate movie set on the outskirts of Los Angeles .

There he had complete control and he wasted no time establishing himself as the ultimate authority . Manson framed the group as a family , with himself as a loving but stern father figure . But it wasn't just a family , it was a cult , and , like any cult leader , manson relied on psychological tactics to maintain his iron grip on his followers .

One of his most powerful tools was isolation . By cutting off his followers from the outside world , both physically and emotionally , manson ensured that he was the only voice they heard . He made sure they abandoned their pasts , their parents and any connection to the lives they once knew .

He kept them busy with manual labor , endless rituals and constant group activities , leaving little time to think critically or question his authority , anything sound familiar . Manson used sleep deprivation as a method of control , keeping the family up all night with endless monologues and music sessions , bringing down their resistance and making them more pliable .

He also practiced something that had parallels to Scientology's auditing process , where deep probing questions are used to uncover and manipulate a person's innermost fears and desires . But Manson's version was twisted . He'd gather his followers around him and make them spill their secrets , digging into their traumas and using that knowledge to bind them to him .

If anyone dared to think about leaving , he'd remind them of what he knew , of the pain he could inflict , not just emotionally but physically , of the pain he could inflict . Not just emotionally but physically . Obedience was absolute . Manson broke down personal barriers by mixing love and violence .

He'd shower his followers with affection one moment and berate them viciously the next . This emotional rollercoaster created a trauma bond , a psychological trap , where his followers were dependent on him for both their validation and their survival . And in Manson's world , love was something he controlled , something he doled out or withheld like a drug .

It's here in Manson's tactics that we see echoes of other cult control methods , including those practiced in Scientology . Just like L Ron Hubbard's teachings , manson's manipulations revolved around stripping down an individual's identity and rebuilding it in his image .

He used repetition , thought reform and the dismantling of critical thinking skills to create followers who were utterly devoted to his vision . But while Scientology might promise spiritual enlightenment , manson's teachings led only to destruction .

Psychologist Margaret Singer , who studied cult behaviors extensively , once explained cults work by taking away an individual's ability to reason and replacing it with a singular belief system . In Manson's case , he didn't need sophistication . He used a chaotic mix of love , fear and dependency to turn his followers into instruments of his own delusions .

And so , at the Spahn Ranch , what started as a dream utopia became a nightmare . Manson , the self-styled messiah , had built his cult of personality with tools that were disturbingly effective , even if they were borrowed and distorted from philosophies he'd encountered during his prison years .

And , in the end , his family was loyal terrifyingly tragically loyal and ready to do whatever he commanded .

The gruesome murders were carried out by members of his so-called family , young men and women whose lives had spiraled into Manson's orbit , drawn by his dark charisma and manipulated promises of love , acceptance and a new way of life .

To understand how these seemingly ordinary young people became murderers , we have to look back at who they were before Manson got his hooks into them . Susan Atkins , often remembered for her chilling role in the murders , was born on May 7 , 1948 , in San Gabriel , california . Her early life was marked by chaos and heartbreak .

Her mother passed away from cancer when Susan was just 15 and her family fell apart soon after . Her father , who had struggled with alcoholism , couldn't hold the family together and Susan ended up living with relatives by the time she was in her late teens . She was lost , drifted and desperate for a place to belong .

Susan eventually made her way to San Francisco , where the Haight-Ashbury district was the mecca of counterculture youth . It was there , in 1967 , that she met Charles Manson . Manson promised her the love and family she'd created since her mother's death . He renamed her Sadie Mae Glutz and convinced her she was part of a spiritual revolution .

Susan , eager to be loved and accepted , became one of Manson's most devoted followers , willing to do anything he asked , even murder . Patricia Krenwinkel , born on December 3 , 1947 , in Los Angeles , had a childhood that many would describe as ordinary , but deeply troubled beneath the surface .

Her parents divorced when she was a teenager and she struggled with feelings of inadequacy and body image issues . Patricia never felt like she fit in , often describing herself as an outsider . After high school , she worked as a secretary and lived a quiet , unfulfilled life .

It wasn't until she met Charles Manson at a friend's house that she felt a spark of belonging . Manson told Patricia she was beautiful something she had rarely heard and that she could be free from societal constraints . She fell under his spell .

Captivated by his promises of love in a utopian family , patricia left her old life behind and joined the Manson family , where she became known as Katie . The soft-spoken young woman soon found herself committing unimaginable acts of violence , all in service of the man she believed was a messiah .

Leslie Van Houten , the youngest of the Manson murderers , was born on August 23 , 1949 , in Altadena , california . Her early years were marked by privilege and opportunity , growing up in a middle-class family with seemingly every advantage . But when her parents divorced when she was 14 , leslie's life began to unravel .

She started using drugs , experimenting with LSD and other hallucinogens . By her late teens she had become a free spirit drifting through California's counterculture scene . At just 19 years old , leslie encountered the Manson family and was seduced by the promise of a communal lifestyle where everyone was equal and love was abundant .

Manson played on her vulnerabilities and spiritual curiosity , telling her that she could help change the world . It didn't take long for Leslie to fall completely under his spell .

By living in his apocalyptic visions On the night of the LaBianca murderers , leslie went from being a hopeless young woman to a murderer , her hands stained with the blood of innocent people . Charles Tex Watson was the all-American boy-turned-killer , a former high school football star from Coalville , texas , born on December 3 , 1945 .

Watson seemed to have a bright future ahead of him . He attended the University of North Texas but quickly grew restless and disillusioned with the straight-laced life his family envisioned for him . Like so many young people of his generation , he drifted west to California seeking freedom and excitement . It was in Los Angeles that Tex Watson met Charles Manson .

Manson's teachings about the end of the world and the need to prepare for the coming race war captivated Tex . He became Manson's right-hand man , the muscle behind the madness . Manson's influence over Tex was profound , convincing the former athlete to abandon his past and fully embrace the violent chaos .

Manson's influence over Tex was profound , convincing the former athlete to abandon his past and fully embrace the violent chaos Manson preached . On the night of the murders , tex led the charge , carrying out Manson's orders with a cold and terrifying efficiency . Linda Kasabian was born on June 21 , 1949 in Bidford , maine .

Linda had a tumultuous childhood , marked by her parents' divorce and a troubled adolescence . She married young , had a child and found herself drifting , drawn to the West Coast in search of peace and meaning . Linda was introduced to the Manson family through a friend and she initially fell for the idyllic free-love lifestyle Manson promised .

Unlike the others , she was new to the family when the murders took place and her experience at Cielo Drive was profoundly traumatizing . Though she didn't physically participate in the killings , she was there , a witness to the horror . Her conscience ultimately led her to turn against Manson and her testimony was crucial in putting him and his followers behind bars .

These young men and women weren't born killers . They came from ordinary families , had childhood dreams and , at one point , had futures that could have gone in any direction . But their paths crossed with Charles Manson , a man who knew how to exploit their vulnerabilities and turn them into weapons .

The Manson family became a dark , twisted reflection of the heiress' desire for freedom and love , manipulated into acts of pure evil .

First we meet Sharon Tate , whose family's patriarch was Colonel Paul Tate , a career US officer who served his country with pride and raised his family in discipline and tradition of the military lifestyle .

He was a man who knew the meaning of sacrifice , often moving his wife , Doris and their three daughters across the country and even overseas , wherever his duty called . Despite the frequent relocations , the Tate family was close-knit called . Despite the frequent relocations , the Tate family was close-knit .

Doris , a loving , resilient mother , kept the home together with grace and a sense of warmth , providing stability for her girls . And then there was Sharon Tate , the eldest daughter , who would become one of Hollywood's most promising rising stars . She was born in Dallas , Texas , in 1943 .

Sharon's beauty was captivating and it was clear from a young age that she had a rare magnetism . As a teenager , she began modeling and quickly caught the eye of talent scouts in the entertainment industry . By the mid-1960s , Sharon was making a name for herself in Hollywood , starring in films like Valley of the Dolls and the Fearless Vampire Killers .

Where she met her future husband , director Roman Polanski , Sharon's life seemed to shimmer with glamour and promise . Her marriage to Polanski was one of Hollywood's most talked about unions , full of lavish parties and whirlwind romance . Yet those who knew Sharon described her as more than just a Hollywood beauty .

She was gentle , kind-hearted and grounded , despite her fame . By the summer of 1969 , Sharon was eight and a half months pregnant , eagerly awaiting the birth of her first child . She and Roman were living in a rented home at 10,050 Cielo Drive in the hills of Los Angeles , a house that , unbeknownst to them , had a dark history of its own .

It had once been the home of music producer Terry Melcher , who had crossed paths with Charles Manson , but more on that connection later . Now let's turn to the LaBiancas . Leno and Rosemary LaBianca lived on Waverly Drive in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles , and their story was the epitome of American success and hard work .

Leno LaBianca was the son of Italian immigrants who had built a grocery empire in Southern California . He was a businessman for his tireless work , ethic and dedication to his family's legacy . Businessman for his tireless work , ethic and dedication to his family's legacy . Yet beneath the hard exterior , Leno had a love for fine things .

He enjoyed boating , horse racing and spending time at the family's lake house . Friends described him as generous and a bit old-fashioned , the kind of man who took care of his loved ones and approached life with both seriousness and humor . Rosemary LaBianca was Leno's wife . She was equally remarkable .

She had built her own successful career as the owner of a clothing boutique , and those who knew her said she had an eye for design and a knack for business . Rosemary had a vibrant spirit . She loved to travel and had a particular appreciation for beautiful things , from clothes to the serene nature of their lake property .

Together , Leno and Rosemary seemed to have it all a stable life built on years of hard work , a blended family from previous marriages and a future full of possibilities . The LaBianca's home on Waverly Drive was far from the glitz of Hollywood . It was a quiet , respectable neighborhood where they settled to enjoy the fruits of their labor .

But even in their suburban tranquility , darkness found its way in , intersecting with the chaos that Manson and his followers unleashed upon Los Angeles . The stories of the Tates and the LaBiancas paint a picture of two families living ordinary and , in Sharon's case , extraordinary lives .

Their paths were different , their circles never quite overlapping , until that fateful August weekend . For Sharon Tate , life was on the verge of a new beginning , with a baby due any day . For the LaBiancas , life was rich and well-lived , full of plans and simple pleasures .

None of them could have anticipated that their homes would become scenes of horror , that their names would be etched in history not for the lives that they lived , but for the violence that they endured .

The truth , however , is that these two families did not have any personal or social ties to one another . They lived in an entirely different world Sharon Tate in the glitzy hills of Hollywood , and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca in the quiet Los Feliz neighborhood .

The tragic connection between them would only be made by the murderous rampage of Charles Manson's followers , whose crimes seemed almost random in their violence . The Tate murders and the LaBianca murders were not linked by any relationship between the victims , but rather by Manson's twisted vision and geographical proximity of the crime scenes .

To understand the events leading up to that horrific weekend , we need to look at each family's last moments , unconnected , yet forever bound by the bloodshed that would follow . On the night of August 8 , 1969 , at Cielo Drive , sharon Tate was hosting a small gathering at her rented home at 10050 Cielo Drive .

Roman Polanski , her husband , was away in Europe working on a film project , but Sharon was surrounded by close friends . The house had once belonged to music producer Terry Melker , and while it was now home to the young Hollywood starlet , it had the past that unwittingly tied it to Charles Manson Manson .

Manson had previously visited the home , hoping to jumpstart his music career with Melker's help , only to be rejected a snub that festered in Manson's mind . But on this summer night , the shadow of Manson was far from the minds of those at Cielo Drive . Sharon was eight and a half months pregnant , blown with the anticipation of becoming a mother .

Her guests that evening were a close-knit circle Jay Sebring , her ex-boyfriend and renowned celebrity hairstylist , abigail Folger , heiress to the Folger coffee fortune , and Abigail's boyfriend Jakowicz-Frakowski , a Polish actor and friend of Polanski . The mood was light , warm and full of the quiet joy that comes from the simple pleasures of sharing time with friends .

They had spent the evening together dining at their favorite local restaurant , el Coyote . Before returning to the house , they laughed and shared stories , unaware that the serene beauty of the Hollywood hills around them would soon be shattered . Sharon , always described as gracious and loving , had been in a good mood , though exhausted from her pregnancy .

Jay Sebring , who remained one of her dearest friends even after their romantic relationship ended , was protected and attentive . Abigail and Frakowski were in good spirits . Though they had been dealing with the tensions of their relationship , it was in many ways an ordinary night , with no hint of the impeding terror .

Meanwhile , on August 9 , 1969 , leno and Rosemary LaBianca were winding down from a long day . The LaBiancas had spent the afternoon at Lake Isabella where they kept a vacation property . They had driven back to their home in Los Feliz to settle in for the night . They weren't hosting a glamorous gathering or expecting guests .

They were simply a middle-aged couple returning to the comfort of their home in for the night . They weren't hosting a glamorous gathering or expecting guests . They were simply a middle-aged couple returning to the comfort of their home after a relaxing weekend . Leno , the successful owner of a chain grocery store , was known for being a creature of habit .

He liked his routines and the quiet of his suburban life . Rosemary , a successful entrepreneur in her own right , enjoyed the simple luxuries of a well-earned life . The couple had a blended family from their previous marriages , and their love for each other was evident in how they supported and built their life together . That evening was peaceful .

The LaBiancas had made a stop to visit Rosemary's daughter , susan , before finally making their way back to Waverly Drive . They likely felt safe as they pulled into the driveway of their Spanish-style home , tucked away in the quiet hills . It was a neighborhood where neighbors waved at each other , where life moved at a more relaxed pace .

Leno and Rosemary had no reason to suspect that their lives were about to be brutally and irrevocably changed . What's most chilling is that there was no connection between the families themselves . They didn't know each other , had never crossed paths and had no shared acquaintances . The horror that linked them was entirely orchestrated by Charles Manson .

After ordering his followers to commit murder at the Tate residence on August 8th , manson sought to continue the mayhem the following night . He chose the LaBianca home at random , possibly influenced by the familiarity with the neighborhood from previous drives through Los Feliz .

So while there was no shared history or bond between the Tates and the LaBiancas , both families became unwilling characters in Mansions' chaotic narrative . They were victims caught in the crossfire of a madman's desire to incite fear and start an apocalyptic race . War he called Helter Skelter .

It was a senseless , horrific coincidence , a reminder of how random and unthinkable violence can connect even the most unrelated lives . The night before the murderers was full of ordinary human moments Friends laughing over dinner , a couple returning home from a peaceful day on the lake .

Those moments , now frozen in time , became a tragic prelude to a weekend of unimaginable horror , one that would forever scar the American conscience .

Charles Manson had spent months indoctrinating his followers with an ideology that he believed would reshape society . With chilling precision , he twisted messages of counterculture , rebellion , into calls for chaos , planting seeds that would become a horrifying weekend .

August 8th was a warm , ordinary evening in Los Angeles , but Manson was poised to disrupt the illusion of safety many felt as his followers prepared to carry out his orders . They were not just enacting violence , but setting in motion an attack on innocence itself .

The unsuspecting residents of Cielo Drive and the LaBianca home were bound by their proximity and Manson's deluded ambitions . Manson had fabricated connections in his mind , connections that justified his cruelty , but in reality these victims were ordinary people , strangers to Manson and each other , whose lives were about to intersect in blood .

The events at Cielo Drive and the La Bianca residence were not just acts of murder but carefully orchestrated symbols of Manson's grand destructive narrative . His so-called Helter Skelter plan was beginning and he sent his followers into the night . They carried not just weapons , but a mission designed to upend society Through drugs , manipulation and isolation .

Manson had convinced his followers that this twisted ideology was a holy cause and his word was their law . The next two nights would etch themselves into American consciousness forever , staining that summer of optimism with fear .

The tragedy of these murders was not only in their brutality , but in the realization that such violence could erupt anywhere , without warning , under the influence of a single man's vision . These senseless murders laid bare the darker side of an era , a reminder that even in times of peace , there are forces of chaos waiting to strike .

In Manson's twisted vision , he and his followers will hide out in the desert during the chaos and then emerge to lead the survivors . The murders were intended to ignite this war , with Manson hoping brutality would be blamed on black militants , thus kickstarting the violent revolution he craved . His followers didn't question his madness .

Manson had primed them for obedience through classic cult tactics isolation , psychological manipulation and love bombing . He stripped away their identities and rebuilt them in his image , convincing them that he was a messiah and that his word was law .

They were conditioned to believe that they were part of something larger , something divine , and the murder was merely a necessary step in fulfilling Manson's prophecy . How did Manson gain such control ? It started with love and attention . He offered his followers the sense of belonging they were desperate for , but he quickly turned to psychological domination .

He'd conduct trials where family members were humiliated and broken down , only to be built back up in Manson's image . He used drugs , sleep deprivation and emotional manipulation , creating a trauma bond that made his followers feel they couldn't survive without him .

Manson positioned himself as a father figure , a prophet , even a god , and in the world of Manson's family there was no room for dissent . Questioning Manson's teachings was unthinkable . His vision was absolute and his followers had been conditioned to obey without hesitation . Cults have a way of making the unimaginable seem inevitable .

Manson had created a self-contained world where his apocalyptic beliefs were gospel seen as a holding mission . By the time August 1969 arrived , his followers were more than willing to kill for him . They had been primed , conditioned and broken down , ready to do whatever Manson asked , no matter how horrific the task .

The brutality of both of these scenes was undeniable , but any concrete leads felt elusive . At the Cielo Drive home , where Sharon Tate and her friends had been slaughtered , the scene was a nightmare . Blood was everywhere Splashed on the walls , the front porch and even smeared in letters spelling out the word pig on the front door .

The victims' bodies were left in gruesome poses and there were multiple murder weapons involved . The sheer savagery stunned investigators , but they were left without any obvious suspects . Over at the LaBianca house , the following night's carnage showed similar brutality .

Leno Bianca had a carving fork protruding from his stomach , and death to pigs had been scrawled on the walls in blood . But the murders seemed so random , so senseless , and no one immediately thought to connect them . The police had to chase down leads that went nowhere . At first they suspected that the Tate murders were drug-related .

Sharon Tate's friend , wojciech Brikowski , had been known to use drugs and Abigail Folger was wealthy and might have had connections in that world . But none of those theories panned out . Meanwhile , the LaBianca case seemed like a home invasion gone terribly wrong , with no clear link to the horror on Cielo Drive .

It seemed like the case was slipping away , but then , slowly , a series of small breaks began to change everything . The real breakthrough came from an unexpected source .

One of Manson's own followers , susan Atkins , who had participated in the Tate murders , had been arrested in October 1969 for her role in an unrelated crime , the murder of Gary Hinman , a musician who had been killed in July of that year . While in custody , atkins couldn't keep quiet about the atrocity she had witnessed and committed .

She had boasted to her cellmates at the Sybil Brand Institute for Women , describing the horrifying details of the Tate murders with a chilling lack of remorse . It was so easy she reportedly bragged .

She told her cellmates about stabbing Sharon Tate , who had pleaded for the life of her unborn child , and how they had left words written in blood as Manson had instructed . And how they had left words written in blood as Manson had instructed . One of the women Atkins confided in was horrified and quickly informed authorities .

The confession became the first concrete link tying the Manson family to the murders on Cielo Drive . When the LAPD received this information , they realized that a seemingly fringe group of hippies living on a dilapidated movie ranch could be responsible for one of the most notorious crimes in Los Angeles .

The ranch , with its old western movie set and creaky barns , had been a hotbed of strange activity . But until Atkins' confessions the police had no idea they were housing murderers . With Atkins' statement in hand , the police returned to Spahn Ranch and started to piece together the gruesome puzzle .

They discovered more details about the family's cult dynamics and Manson's apocalyptic teachings . Members began to crack under pressure and as the investigation widened the horrifying pictures came into focus . Once the police knew that Manson's followers had committed the tape murderers , it wasn't long before they connected them to the LaBianca's killings as well .

Similarities in the bloody messages left at both crime scenes provided strong evidence that the same group was involved . Additionally , manson's habit of driving around Los Angeles looking for pigs to kill as part of his twisted helter-skelter prophecy , helped link the two Knights of Terror .

Linda Kasabian , another member of the family , who had been present during both sets of murderers but didn't partake in the violence , became a key witness . She turned herself in and agreed to cooperate with the prosecution .

Her detailed testimony painted a clear picture of the events of those two nights , describing how Manson had ordered the killings to incite chaos and bring about the race war he envisioned . The arrest of Charles Manson and his followers sent shockwaves through the nation . This wasn't just a story about a cult .

It was about how a man could bend others to his will , turning them into instruments of violence . The trials that followed was as much about Manson's hold over his followers as it was about the murderers themselves . In the end , it was the confessions , witness testimonies and the mountain of circumstantial evidence that brought Manson and his family to justice .

In the years since , the investigation has been analyzed , dissected and debated , but one thing remains clear the sheer randomness of the murderers , coupled with Manson's ability to manipulate others , created a legacy of fear and fascination that continues to captivate the public till this day .

Yet as the investigators began connecting the dots between the brutal Tate LaBianca murders and the small scruffy man leading a group of devoted glassy-eyed followers , manson's name became synonymous with terror . The capture of Manson and several of his followers at Spahn Ranch marked the beginning of one of the most bizarre and riveting trials in American history .

By the time Manson and his co-defendants walked into the courtroom in June of 1970 , the nation was watching with horrified fascination . The trial was like a grotesque theater production with Manson as the deranged director .

He entered the courtroom with a wild confidence , flashing a carved X on his forehead , a mark he later transformed into a swastika , a grotesque symbol of his rejection of society . His behavior was erratic and often frightening .

He would laugh at inappropriate moments , hurl insults at the judge and , at times , speak in riddles that reflected the twisted logic of his apocalyptic beliefs . One of the trial's most shocking moments came when Manson lunged at Judge Charles Older , shouting in the name of Christian justice , someone should cut your head off .

Court security quickly subdued him , but the message was clear Charles Manson wasn't just dangerous , he was unpredictable and terrifying . His female co-defendants , susan Atkins , patricia Krenwingel and Leslie Van Houten , mirrored his behavior , demonstrating the complete psychological control he had over them .

They would giggle , chant and even carve the same X into their been , transformed into killers under Manson's spell , disturbed the nation , and rightfully so . They were a haunting reminder of how easily someone could be manipulated into committing unspeakable acts . The trial dragged on for months and the public was glued to every development .

The public was glued to every development . Each day brought new revelations about Manson's philosophies , the murders and the cult-like obedience of his followers . Manson's defense strategy was as unhinged as his behavior . He claimed to be a scapegoat , a man persecuted for trying to save the world . That sounds familiar .

His attorney , ronald Hughes , who would mysteriously disappear and later be found dead under suspicious circumstances , struggled to control the courtroom chaos . At one point , manson tried to testify but was silenced by the judge who declared him unfit . The entire spectacle was like a nightmare unfolding in real time a front-row seat to the mind of a madman .

The nation was captivated by the story of how a man could deal such control over his followers , leading them to commit some of the most horrific crimes imaginable .

Journalists painted Manson as a master manipulator , a man who preyed on the vulnerable and twisted their minds to serve his dark , prophetic vision and the era where trust in traditional institution was already eroding . Mansett's story tapped into the fears about the counterculture movement and the supposed dangers of free love and communal living .

He was the ultimate boogeyman , symbol of how an idealistic search for peace could descend into violence and madness . The media searches surrounding Manson's trial drew comparisons to other high-profile stories of the time , including the sensational coverage of Scientology . Like Manson , scientology had a polarizing effect on the public .

Its founder , l Ron Hubbard , was often portrayed as a cult-like figure , and the church's secretive practices and aggressive tactics were widely reported . The coverage of Manson's trial highlighted America's fascination and fear of charismatic leaders who would warp the minds of their followers .

Both stories reflect the country's broader anxieties about manipulation , mind control and the power of belief .

Manson's iron grip on his followers and his orders led to the gruesome deaths of Sharon Tate , her unborn child and six others . Manson was sentenced to death , but this was later commuted to life in prison when California abolished the death penalty in 1972 . Manson spent the rest of his life in prison , a figure of both horror and morbid fascination .

He was denied parole repeatedly , most recently in 2012 , due to his lack of remorse and continued behavioral issues . Manson died of natural causes on November 19 , 2017 at the age of 83 , while incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison in California . His death marked the end of an era , yet the shadow he cast remained as unsettling as ever .

The most feared member , susan Atkins , often regarded as the most chilling of Manson's followers , participated in the Tate murders and infamously admitted to stabbing Sharon Tate while the actress begged for the life of her unborn child . Atkins was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death , a sentence that was also reduced to life in prison in 1972 .

Over the decades , atkins became a born-again Christian and expressed remorse for her actions . Despite her appeals for compassionate release due to terminal brain cancer , the parole board denied her request . Susan Atkins died on September 24 , 2009 , at the age of 61 , after spending nearly four decades in prison .

The loyal accomplice , patricia Krenwinkel , known as Katie within the family , was deeply involved in both the Tate and LaBianca murders . Her conviction included first-degree murder , with conspiracy to commit murder resulting in the same death sentence that was later converted to life imprisonment .

Krenwinkel holds the dubious distinction of being California's longest-serving female inmate . During her time behind bars , she earned a degree and became involved in prison programs advocating for domestic violence survivors . Krenwinkel's repeated parole bids were denied , with the latest refusal in 2022 due to concerns over her past actions and potential threat to public safety .

As of now , she remains incarcerated in the California Institution for Women . The youngest of the family , leslie Van Houten , was just 19 years old when she took part in the brutal murder of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca . Unlike the others , Van Houten was not present during the Tate murders , but was convicted of first-degree murder for her role in the LaBianca .

Unlike the others , van Houten was not present during the Tate murders , but was convicted of first-degree murder for her role in the LaBianca killings . Her initial sentence was commuted to life imprisonment and she was granted parole multiple times , only for the decisions to be overturned by various California governors .

In 2023 , after decades of legal battles and numerous parole hearings , van Houten was released on parole at the age of 73 . Her release was controversial , sparking debates on justice , redemption and whether former cult members can ever fully atone for their crimes .

The Enforcer , charles Tex Watson , manson's right-hand man and muscle behind the horrific crimes , was deeply involved with both the Tate and LaBianca murders . He was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder and , like the others , his initial death sentence was converted to life imprisonment .

Watson became a born-again Christian and ordained minister while in prison , even authoring a book and establishing a prison ministry . Despite his religious conversion , watson's numerous parole applications have all been denied . He remains incarcerated at the Richard J Jonovin Correctional Facility in San Diego , california .

The Reluctant Witness , linda Kasabian , was present at the Tate murders but did not participate in the killings . Instead , she served as a lookout and later fled the scene . Haunted by what she had witnessed , kasabian turned herself in and became the star witness for the prosecution , providing crucial testimony that helped convict Manson and the others .

In exchange for her cooperation , she was granted immunity and did not serve time for the murders . Kasabian changed her name and led a quiet , reclusive life away from the public eye . She passed away in 2023 at the age of 73 , closing the chapter on one of the most pivotal figures who helped bring justice to the victims .

The trial may have ended , but Manson's influence lingered like a dark cloud . People have continued to analyze how he managed to convince ordinary young men and women to kill , and what it says about the vulnerability of the human psyche . The Manson trial was more than a courtroom drama . It was a cultural reckoning .

It forced the nation to confront uncomfortable truths about the allure of charismatic leaders and the fragility of the human mind .

And as Manson was led away ranting about the end of the world and how society was to blame , it became clear that his legacy would endure , not just in the crimes that he orchestrated , but in the haunting realization that anyone given the right circumstances and a persuasive enough voice could be led astray .

Manson manipulated young , impersonable people , turning them into killers , by exploiting their vulnerabilities and feeding them a toxic mix of love , fear and apocalyptic prophecy he called helter-skelter . What makes Manson's story even more unsettling is his grief but notable connection to Scientology .

While serving time in prison in the early 1960s , manson reportedly spent hours engaging in Scientology practices , including auditing sessions . Though he eventually dismissed Scientology as inadequate for his grand ambition , it's hard to ignore how certain psychological techniques he learned may have informed his own manipulative strategies .

He used methods that mirror those found in many high-control groups breaking down individuals' entities , isolating them from their loved one and remodeling them into devoted followers who would do anything for him , even commit murders .

As we look back on the terror that Manson unleashed , it serves as a grim reminder of the power of the human mind and how easily it can be twisted by a charismatic controlling figure . It's a sombering thought , but one worth reflecting on .

Cult leaders like Manson prey on the lonely , the lost and the idealistic , offering a sense of belonging that , in reality , comes at an unimaginable cost . So what can we learn from this dark chapter in history ? We encourage you , our listeners , to think critically about the psychological techniques used by cults in high-control groups .

These tactics , whenever employed by a man like Manson or an organized entity , can be subtle , insidious and devastatingly effective . Recognizing the signs of manipulation and understanding how even the most intelligent and well-meaning people can be drawn in is a crucial first step in protecting oneself and our loved ones .

It's a conversation worth having , not just as a way to look back at the past , but as a way to safeguard the future , as we continue to explore the shadowy intersection between cult behavior and true crime .

Our next episode will bridge this world with another story that blends both horror and fascination , as our channel evolves into Sinners in Secret , when new look and broader true crime topics , topics will be diving into a case that , while unrelated to Manson , shares eerie similarities in the way psychological manipulations can lead to tragic and violent outcomes .

It's a story that highlights how easily people can fall under the influence of a magnetic leader and the ripple effects that follows . I am Abraham Alrick and , along with my co-host , sandy McKenna . Thank you for listening , liking , commenting and subscribing to Citizen Secrets .

Stay tuned and remember the line between influence and control is thinner than we'd like to believe . Until next time , keep questioning , keep seeking , and may your journey be as rich and enlightening as the stories you encounter .