The brutal 1969 killing of a pregnant actress became one of America's most infamous crimes
On August 9, 1969, Sharon Tate, a 26-year-old American actress and model, was murdered at her rented home in Los Angeles's Benedict Canyon estate. She was more than eight months pregnant with a baby boy when followers of Charles Manson brutally killed her and four others in what would become one of the most infamous crimes in U.S. history.
Tate was born Sharon Marie Tate Polanski on January 24, 1943, in Dallas, Texas. By her mid-twenties, she had established herself as one of Hollywood's most promising newcomers, often compared to Marilyn Monroe. Her career included a recurring role on the popular television series *The Beverly Hillbillies* and several notable film appearances. She made her first major film appearance in *Eye of the Devil* (1965), followed by roles in *Valley of the Dolls* (1967), *The Fearless Vampire Killers* (1967, directed by Roman Polanski), *Don't Make Waves* (1967), and *The Wrecking Crew* (1968).
Tate had married filmmaker Roman Polanski, who directed *The Fearless Vampire Killers*, before her death. The couple was expecting their first child together when tragedy struck.
Die Nacht der Morde
In der Nacht vom 8. auf den 9. August 1969 dringen Manson-Anhänger in das Anwesen von Sharon Tate ein und ermorden fünf Menschen sowie ihr ungeborenes Kind.
Zweite Mordserie
Mitglieder der Manson Family ermorden das Ehepaar Leno und Rosemary LaBianca in Los Angeles.
Festnahme von Charles Manson
Charles Manson und mehrere seiner Anhänger werden verhaftet, zunächst wegen anderer Delikte.
Anklage wegen Mordes
Manson, Watson, Atkins, Krenwinkel und Van Houten werden offiziell wegen der Morde angeklagt.
Schuldspruch
Charles Manson und seine Mittäter werden in allen Anklagepunkten für schuldig befunden.
Todesurteil
Alle Angeklagten werden zum Tode verurteilt.
Umwandlung in lebenslange Haft
Nach der Abschaffung der Todesstrafe in Kalifornien werden die Urteile in lebenslange Haftstrafen umgewandelt.
Tod von Charles Manson
Charles Manson stirbt im Alter von 83 Jahren im Gefängnis an natürlichen Ursachen.
On that fateful August night in 1969, Tate and four others were killed by members of the Manson Family cult. Among the victims were Jay Sebring, a prominent hairstylist and Tate's former boyfriend. The crime scene resembled ritualistic mass murder, with bodies scattered throughout the property.
According to the coroner's report by Dr. Thomas Noguchi, Tate suffered 16 stab wounds, including fatal injuries to her heart and lungs. She was also hanged with rope—ligature marks were found on her neck and face as she was tied to Jay Sebring. The official cause of death was massive hemorrhage from stab wounds. The brutality and apparent ritualistic nature of the murders shocked the nation.
The Manson Family connection came into focus during the investigation and trial. Photographer Shahrokh Hatami, a friend of Tate's, played a crucial role in helping authorities tie Charles Manson to the murders during the trial proceedings.
The murders of Sharon Tate and her companions became watershed moments in American true crime, marking a shift in how the public perceived cult violence and random acts of extreme violence by ideologically motivated perpetrators. The crime dominated headlines and sparked widespread fear in Los Angeles and beyond.
Tate's death had a lasting impact on her family's life and advocacy work. Her mother, Doris Tate, became a pioneering figure in the victims' rights movement, working tirelessly to ensure that victims and their families had a voice in the criminal justice system. Tate's sister, Debra Tate, has continued this legacy of advocacy in honor of Sharon's memory. Another sister, Patti Tate, passed away on June 3, 2000, at the age of 42 from breast cancer.