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In late spring 1968, Manson formed
a brief friendship with Beach Boys’
singer Dennis Wilson. While Wilson
was driving around Southern
California, he picked up two of
Manson’s followers, who were
hitchhiking, and brought them to
his house. One of the followers was
20-year-old Patricia Krenwinkel.
The next day, when Wilson
returned to his home following a
recording session, Manson met him
in the driveway. Inside, a dozen of
Manson’s followers occupied the
house. Wilson was fascinated byManson and allowed the group to
stay. He spent up to $100,000
(£390,000 today) in money, food, and
clothing for them. Wilson was
impressed with Manson’s musical
talent and the two wrote a few
songs together. Wilson also
introduced Manson to music
contacts, including Doris Day’s son,
record producer Terry Melcher, who
owned the home rented by Tate and
Polanski. Melcher, however, did not
advance Manson’s career as much
as Manson had hoped. Soon,
Manson’s violent tendencies and ❯❯See also: The Wild Bunch 150–51 ■ Ted Bundy 276–83 ■ The Assassination of Rasputin 312–15MURDER CASES
The Manson family was a group
with no real organizational structure.
Manson’s magnetic personality was at
the core of every relationship that drew
people into the group.I gave myself up to him and
in return for that he gave me
back to myself. He gave me...
faith in myself.
Susan AtkinsTex Watson was
Manson’s crazed right-hand
man. A former honour student,
he led the killings at Cielo
and Waverly.Bobby Beausoleil
murdered Gary Hinman during
a drug deal. He was not a family
member but regularly hung
out with Manson.Lynette “Squeaky”
Fromme kept a vigil outside
the courthouse, although
she was not involved
in the murders.Linda Kasabian was
an accomplice in the Tate-
LaBianca murders. Her remorse
led her to testify against
Manson. She described the
murders in detail.Charles MansonRuth Ann Moorehouse
was 16 when she ran away
with Manson. She was charged
with the attempted murder
of Barbara Hoyt.Leslie Van Houten
at 19 was the youngest
family member involved
in the murders.Patricia Krenwinkel
was devoted to Manson.
She participated in the Tate-
LaBianca killings. She stabbed
Abigail Folger dozens
of times.Susan “Sexy Sadie”
Atkins first met Manson at a
house party in 1967. She was
involved in eight of
the murders.Mary Brunner was
an accomplice in the Hinman
killing. She was the first woman
in the family to bear one of
Manson’s children.Sandra “Blue” Good
wanted to be at the Tate
murders. She carved a cross
into her forehead in support
of Manson at his trial.Steve “Clem” Grogan
was a ranchhand, drug user,
and friend of the family,
convicted in the LaBianca
and Shea killings.230_237_Manson_Family.indd 233 02/12/2016 15:04