Vanessa Richardson

Whether or not Charles actually believed any of this, he was certainly acting like it. To prepare for Helter Skelter, he taught the family how to fight with knives. He also took them out on what he called creepy crawling expeditions, where they practiced breaking into people's homes without getting caught. He even found a place for them to stay in Death Valley for when the apocalypse started.

It was an isolated property in the middle of the Mojave Desert known as Barker Ranch. The place was completely off the grid. Charles sold it to his followers as the ultimate spot to ride out the apocalypse while they found the fabled underground city.

It was an isolated property in the middle of the Mojave Desert known as Barker Ranch. The place was completely off the grid. Charles sold it to his followers as the ultimate spot to ride out the apocalypse while they found the fabled underground city.

It was an isolated property in the middle of the Mojave Desert known as Barker Ranch. The place was completely off the grid. Charles sold it to his followers as the ultimate spot to ride out the apocalypse while they found the fabled underground city.

Conveniently, it would also make them completely reliant on him with nowhere else to go, especially if they started to have second thoughts about their plan. Or maybe it's not so convenient. But Charles seemed to be all in. Down in LA, he got a cheap dune buggy and told his followers to get it ready for more rugged terrain.

Conveniently, it would also make them completely reliant on him with nowhere else to go, especially if they started to have second thoughts about their plan. Or maybe it's not so convenient. But Charles seemed to be all in. Down in LA, he got a cheap dune buggy and told his followers to get it ready for more rugged terrain.

Conveniently, it would also make them completely reliant on him with nowhere else to go, especially if they started to have second thoughts about their plan. Or maybe it's not so convenient. But Charles seemed to be all in. Down in LA, he got a cheap dune buggy and told his followers to get it ready for more rugged terrain.

He made them gather extra supplies and even taught them desert survival techniques. However, all of this cost money. Money Charles and the Manson family didn't have. Most of the time, they got by with panhandling around L.A. and scavenging around grocery stores. But if Charles' plan was going to work, they needed a lot more. So he turned to a more reliable income stream. Drug dealing.

He made them gather extra supplies and even taught them desert survival techniques. However, all of this cost money. Money Charles and the Manson family didn't have. Most of the time, they got by with panhandling around L.A. and scavenging around grocery stores. But if Charles' plan was going to work, they needed a lot more. So he turned to a more reliable income stream. Drug dealing.

He made them gather extra supplies and even taught them desert survival techniques. However, all of this cost money. Money Charles and the Manson family didn't have. Most of the time, they got by with panhandling around L.A. and scavenging around grocery stores. But if Charles' plan was going to work, they needed a lot more. So he turned to a more reliable income stream. Drug dealing.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

To do this, Charles connected with a biker gang called the Straight Satans. They were happy to help him get the drugs he wanted, as long as they could come to the ranch and enjoy them. Before long, the Straight Satans were a constant presence at Spahn Ranch, and so were their drugs. But the bikers used substances more potent than marijuana and LSD.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

They especially liked amphetamines, and they gladly shared them with the family. Charles didn't seem happy about it. These new drugs made his followers moody and tense, harder to control. But with Helter Skelter on its way, he was willing to put up with it.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

However Charles felt about what was going on at Spahn Ranch, it's possible he was starting to doubt his prophecy, because even with an apocalyptic race war to worry about, he was still trying to get himself a record deal. Charles had stayed in touch with Terry Melcher, the producer who was friends with the Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson.

Terry came by Spahn Ranch sometimes, mostly to fool around with some of the women. Charles was all too happy to oblige him, as long as Terry gave his music another chance. And in March of 1969, Terry finally agreed to come over and listen to some of his songs. Charles was certain this would be his big break. But the day of Terry's visit to Spahn Ranch arrived, and he never showed up.