Debra Tate, sister of slain actress Sharon Tate, has long been an advocate for keeping members of the Manson family cult behind bars, even as they become eligible for parole. This week, Leslie Van Houten, one of Manson’s followers, was released on parole after spending 53 years in prison for the brutal killings of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
Van Houten, who was just 19 at the time of the murders, participated in the August 10, 1969, slayings of the wealthy grocer and his wife in their Los Angeles home. The word “war” was carved into Leno LaBianca’s stomach, signifying the cult leader’s influence over his followers. Van Houten was found guilty and convicted of the murders in 1971.
Debra Tate, in an exclusive interview with “Nightline,” expressed her concerns about Van Houten’s release. “Is she a nice girl? No. Is she an animal? I think she was then, and I fear that she still is,” Tate stated. She went on to reveal that she prayed Van Houten would be haunted by the memories of the screams, grunts, and bloodshed that occurred during the horrific crimes.
The LaBianca murders took place one day after Manson’s followers killed Sharon Tate, Debra’s sister, and four others at the California home she shared with her husband, filmmaker Roman Polanski. Sharon Tate was only 26 years old and pregnant at the time of her murder. Van Houten, however, did not participate in the Tate killings.
Van Houten’s sentence was initially death but was later reduced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after California abolished capital punishment. Despite numerous attempts for parole over the years, it was only now on her 19th hearing that Van Houten was granted release. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his predecessor previously blocked her parole four times.
Debra Tate has been a steadfast presence at every parole hearing for Manson family members since the crimes took place. She believes that giving members of one of the most murderous cults in America a “free pass” is not justified. “There are a lot of people that I would give a free pass, but these people are not amongst them,” Tate expressed.
The release of Van Houten has drawn criticism from the victims’ families. Cory LaBianca, daughter of the slain couple, commented that while Van Houten’s release may be legal, it is morally and ethically wrong. The families still feel the deep wounds left by the Manson family cult and believe justice has not been fully served.
As Debra Tate continues to advocate against the release of Manson’s followers, she hopes to bring awareness to the heinous nature of their crimes and prevent them from fading into obscurity. The impact of the Manson family’s actions has had lasting effects on the lives of their victims’ families, forever altering the course of their lives.