Researchers Uncover Manson Graves
Forensics Experts Test Area Behind Murderous Family's Ranch
Mar 16, 2008
The Hunch
A group of investigators recently uncovered what could possibly be several hidden graves at the spot where Charles Manson and his followers enclosed themselves in after committing their infamous murders forty years ago. The discovery was found in Death Valley National Park, California. The group has concluded that they believe there are two grave sites at Barker Ranch. If found, they will confirm the belief that the Manson family had murdered more people than originally thought.
The investigation began a month ago in the town of Ballarat, 20 miles away from the ranch, determined to detect chemicals associated with human decomposition. Guided by prospector Emmett Harder, who associated with the Manson family while they lived at the ranch in the late 1960s. The ranch was one of many hide-outs that the group used though most of their killings were done out of Spahn Ranch in the summer of 1969. Those victims included Gary Hinman, Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Voytek Frykowski, Abigail Folger, Steven Parent and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
Charles Manson's Beliefs
The motive for the killings were to initiate the start of a great race war that would eventually lead to the apocalypse. Manson and his followers would then reign supreme among the survivors of this war between the black and white race. Their plans were disrupted, however, when they were captured and imprisoned for their string of murders. All received life sentences, the maximum punishment at the time.
Detecting Evidence
A trained dog was brought along on the hunt to sniff for the chemicals they were looking for. The dog, Buster, detected something about 100 yards behind the house at Barker Ranch. The human searchers also brought a gun-shaped instrument that detects chemical evidence of long dead human bodies, specifically fluorinated hydrocarbon compounds, one of hundreds of chemicals found in bodies during decomposition. This chemical detection is especially helpful since it also helps to detect human bones from animal bones. The gun’s readings backed up the dog’s findings when it scanned the area that Buster marked. A chemical testing probe was inserted into the soil in the area to determine what chemicals were detected in it. This sample was then slid into another piece of machinery used to map out the chemicals found. Their goal was to find the pit where the bodies were laid, not necessarily the remains themselves.
Initial Results
The results of these findings could help solve the mysteries as to the whereabouts of missing hitchhikers or runaways that disappeared around the time. Some may have been temporary members of the Manson family who weren’t willing to conform to the group’s beliefs. In response to their findings, the research team is now encouraging law enforcement officers in the area to dig up the site and maybe uncover the truth behind these decades long suspicions.
