|
By Rajesh Merchandani BBC News, Los Angeles |
US police believe more bodies may be buried at Manson's ranch |
Californian officials are searching for bodies at a ranch used by cult leader Charles Manson, nearly 40 years after his followers went on a killing spree.
Manson and several members of his gang are serving life for the murders, which included that of actress Sharon Tate.
New tests at the remote hideout in Death Valley prompted the search for more victims.
Initial results found at least two potential grave sites, and prompted the local sheriff to allow new digging.
New technology
The time: 1969. The place: California, where a social revolution was under way, fuelled by sex, drugs and rock'n roll.
Charles Manson was a career criminal who believed a race war was coming. He called it Helter Skelter, after a song by The Beatles.
To kick-start this war Manson ordered his followers - known as The Family - to murder.
Over two nights in Los Angeles they killed seven people, including Sharon Tate, who was pregnant.
Their hideout was a remote ranch 300 miles (500km) away - in Death Valley.
Manson was found there hiding under a sink. He and four others are still serving life in jail.
Rumours have persisted of bodies at the ranch, of hikers gone missing, followers who fell out of favour.
Some 20 officials are working with shovels, and instruments not available in the 1960s, which can detect human remains and that may add a new twist to the macabre story of the Manson Family.
BBC News Most Popular Now