August 9-13, 1969 – ‘Helter Skelter’ in Los Angeles
In 1969, Sharon Tate was one of the sexiest women in the world. Mattel developed the “Malibu Barbie” to mimic the look of Sharon Tate in all her bikini-clad glory. Sharon Tate is reported to have described the potential for the eventual, flattering reproduction as “sexy little me.”
Charlie ain’t pretty. Charlie don’t surf. And, Charlie don’t kill people anymore, either.
In the second week of 1969, Charles Manson led his drug-fueled “Family” on a killing spree that produced nine mutilated bodies and a fear frenzy that gripped the city of Los Angeles in a month-long state of paranoia.
The eventual announcement of suspects — and revelation of Charles Manson as the sociopath turned apocalyptic murderer behind the “Manson Family” — allowed Los Angeles to breathe a sigh of collective relief. Charles Manson’s desire for the end-of-the-world Helter Skelter would not be realized.
Rumors of a race war and Black Panther vs. KKK battle remained just that – rumors. But Roman Polanski‘s pregnant spouse became the focus of Manson’s hate-filled energy, essentially becoming a wrong-place-wrong-time victim who happened to occupy the residence where one of Manson’s potential music-industry connections had recently lived.
The events that shook Los Angeles 40 years ago this week have become much in the way of infamy. But one question remains — where did Charlie get his bone-chilling thirst for such hatred and evil?
Born to a sixteen-year old, truant teenager, named Kathleen Maddox, she would prove to be a troubled prostitute, alcoholic mother. Charles Manson vividly remembers one occasion in his childhood when he felt joy — the day his mom emerged from prison for armed robbery and gave young, seven-year old Charlie a heart-felt hug.
Soon after, Charles Manson’s mom abandoned him forever, and the rest is morbid history.
