Vanessa Richardson

That's how he caught Kathleen Maddox's attention at a dance club in Ironton, Ohio. He was 23. She was just 15. Kathleen was charmed by the older man she assumed was a military officer. So when she discovered she was pregnant sometime in the spring of 1934, Kathleen had no reason to doubt the colonel when he said he was being called away on duty.

He promised he'd be back as soon as he could, but she never heard from him again. After a few months, Kathleen finally realized she'd been duped, and now she needed to find someone to help raise her soon-to-be newborn baby. That's when William Manson, who worked for a dry cleaning business, entered the picture.

He promised he'd be back as soon as he could, but she never heard from him again. After a few months, Kathleen finally realized she'd been duped, and now she needed to find someone to help raise her soon-to-be newborn baby. That's when William Manson, who worked for a dry cleaning business, entered the picture.

It's not really clear how the two of them met, but by the time Charles was born on November 12th, 1934, Kathleen and William were married. However, it doesn't seem either of them was all that interested in parenting. William wasn't around much, and neither was Kathleen. Most days, she dropped Charles off with her mom so she could go out drinking with her brother.

It's not really clear how the two of them met, but by the time Charles was born on November 12th, 1934, Kathleen and William were married. However, it doesn't seem either of them was all that interested in parenting. William wasn't around much, and neither was Kathleen. Most days, she dropped Charles off with her mom so she could go out drinking with her brother.

Follow Killer Minds, a Crime House Studios original, now. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Again, that's Killer Minds. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. And for early ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts.

Follow Killer Minds, a Crime House Studios original, now. New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday. Again, that's Killer Minds. Follow now wherever you get your podcasts. And for early ad-free access, subscribe to Crime House Plus on Apple Podcasts.

we have an exciting update. Mind of a Serial Killer is now Killer Minds, expanding beyond serial killers to cover cult leaders, crimes of passion, spree killers, and more.

we have an exciting update. Mind of a Serial Killer is now Killer Minds, expanding beyond serial killers to cover cult leaders, crimes of passion, spree killers, and more.

we have an exciting update. Mind of a Serial Killer is now Killer Minds, expanding beyond serial killers to cover cult leaders, crimes of passion, spree killers, and more.

New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday right here. No need to do anything, just stay tuned. Now enjoy the episode.

New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday right here. No need to do anything, just stay tuned. Now enjoy the episode.

New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday right here. No need to do anything, just stay tuned. Now enjoy the episode.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a long-time mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time, dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a long-time mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time, dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a long-time mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time, dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a longtime mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a longtime mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

We all want a little guidance in our lives. Whether it's a longtime mentor, a favorite teacher, or maybe even your weekly astrology chart, it's nice to have someone or something to rely on for advice when things get tough. That was especially true in the 1960s and 70s during the counterculture era. It was a chaotic time dominated by the Vietnam War and the protests against it.

To find a sense of stability, a lot of people looked to spiritual gurus. With so much uncertainty in the world, it was reassuring to put your faith in someone who offered a sense of control over the chaos. But sometimes, that guidance turned out to be dangerous.