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Why Did the Manson Family Murder Sharon Tate?
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Two coroner's office personnel wheel a covered body on a stretcher outside Sharon Tate's home, with a man standing by the entrance in the background. Charles Manson
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Two coroner's office personnel wheel a covered body on a stretcher outside Sharon Tate's home, with a man standing by the entrance in the background.
Tate murders: crime scene The body of Sharon Tate being removed from the Los Angeles house where she and four others were murdered by followers of Charles Manson, August 1969.

Why Did the Manson Family Murder Sharon Tate?

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History

On the night of August 8–9, 1969, followers of Charles Manson brutally murdered Sharon Tate and four others at her home in Los Angeles. He reportedly told his followers to kill everyone at 10050 Cielo Drive “as gruesome[ly] as you can.” (There is no indication that Manson knew who was living at the house.) Rosemary and Leno LaBianca were murdered on August 10. Various motives for the crimes have been suggested over the years.

“Helter Skelter”

During the trial in 1970–71, the prosecutors claimed that Manson had hoped the Tate-LaBianca murders would incite a race war. He had preached the coming of an apocalyptic race conflict that would devastate the United States and leave the Family in a position of dominant power. Manson called the war “Helter Skelter,” borrowing the name from a Beatles’ song. While this theory became the official explanation at the trial, later commentators and Family members questioned whether it was the true motive.

Bobby Beausoleil and the Hinman murder

Some believe that the murders were an attempt to free Bobby Beausoleil. In late July 1969 several Family members, notably Beausoleil and Susan Atkins, tortured and killed Gary Hinman on the orders of Manson, who believed Hinman had money. Others have suggested a botched drug deal led to Hinman’s murder. Before leaving, Beausoleil used Hinman’s blood to write “Political Piggy” on the wall. Beausoleil was caught on August 6 when police found him in Hinman’s car with a bloody knife. By staging copycat murders—at the Tate and LaBianca homes, various words were also written in blood—Manson wanted authorities to think Hinman’s killer was still at large.

Terry Melcher

Charles Manson
Charles MansonCult leader Charles Manson being transported to a courthouse in Independence, California, 1969.

Another theory claimed that Manson wanted to frighten Terry Melcher, the former resident of 10050 Cielo Drive. Melcher, a music producer, had earlier considered and then decided against giving Manson a recording contract. Manson was reportedly angry at Melcher, whom he believed had reneged on several promises. It has also been suggested that Manson targeted the house itself, a symbol of his rejection by the musical establishment.

“Shock the world”

In addition, some Family members said the murders were a means of seeking attention. In late 1969 Atkins—a participant in the Tate murders—claimed that the cult murdered the actress “because we wanted to do a crime that would shock the world, that the world would have to stand up and take notice.” Charles “Tex” Watson, who was involved in the Tate and LaBianca murders, made similar claims.

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.