Charles Manson and His 'Family': Inside the Cult of a Madman

Charles Manson’s 1969 murder spree — which sent him to prison for more than 40 years before he died on Sunday — broke, overnight, into American culture and never left. During two days in August 1969, Manson and his followers, known as “the Manson family,” were responsible for the murders of seven people, including 26-year-old actress Sharon Tate, the wife of director Roman Polanski. According to authorities, Manson had already orchestrated the death of Gary Hinman, in July 1969, and would order his “family” to kill a ninth victim, Donald Shea, before his arrest. Manson and his followers were convicted in 1971 and ultimately given life sentences, being spared execution after California temporarily banned the death penalty. Here is a brief timeline of moments throughout the murder investigation and prosecution.