Leslie Van Houten, one of Charles Manson’s followers, has been released from prison after serving more than 50 years for her involvement in the Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969. Van Houten is the only member of Manson’s “family” to go free for her role in the infamous killing spree that terrorized Los Angeles.
On August 8, 1969, Manson’s followers arrived at the Hollywood Hills home of actress Sharon Tate, where they brutally murdered Tate and her friends, including celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, and aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski. They also encountered teenager Steven Parent, who was visiting the estate’s guesthouse, and shot him to death as they made their way to the main house.
The following night, Manson led his followers, including Van Houten, to the home of wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary. Manson ordered his followers to kill the couple while he tied them up.
In addition to the Tate-LaBianca murders, Manson and his followers were responsible for the killings of musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald “Shorty” Shea in separate attacks.
Charles Manson, a criminal turned guru-philosopher, targeted young runaways and manipulated them into committing the murders. He believed that by inciting a race war, as mentioned in the Beatles’ song “Helter Skelter,” he could fulfill his twisted vision.
Manson continued to taunt authorities, sometimes denying his involvement in the killings and other times boasting about them. He died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83.
Among Manson’s other followers, Susan Atkins, convicted of the Tate, LaBianca, and Hinman murders, died in prison of cancer in 2009 at the age of 61. Leslie Van Houten, a former high school cheerleader, participated in the LaBianca killings and was just released after Newson announced he wouldn’t keep her behind bars. Patricia Krenwinkel, who remains in prison, was denied parole numerous times but was recommended for parole last year, only to have the decision reversed by Governor Newsom. Charles “Tex” Watson, who led the killers to both crime scenes, has also been denied parole multiple times.
The victims of the Tate-LaBianca murders include Sharon Tate, the rising star of “Valley of the Dolls,” and her unborn child. Tate’s former boyfriend, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, as well as Wojciech Frykowski and Abigail Folger, who had dined with Tate and Sebring that night, were also killed. Steven Parent, a recent high school graduate who was visiting a friend at the Tate estate, was shot by Watson as he attempted to leave the property. Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, a random choice by Manson, were tied up and murdered in their home.
Other prominent players in the Manson “family” include Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, who was not involved in the Tate-LaBianca murders but was sentenced to prison for threatening President Gerald Ford in 1975, and Linda Kasabian, the key witness in Manson’s trial.
The Tate-LaBianca murders have left a lasting impact on American society, ingrained in the nation’s consciousness as one of the most heinous crimes in history. Leslie Van Houten’s release after more than 50 years behind bars is a reminder of the dark and tragic legacy of Charles Manson and his followers.