An unsettling audio recording from Charles Manson reveals he committed murders before leading his notorious cult.
According to the New York Post, the recently unearthed tape, part of the "Making Manson" docuseries on Peacock, exposes lesser-known aspects of Manson's criminal history.
Charles Manson, perhaps one of the most infamous figures in American criminal history, spent over four decades behind bars for orchestrating the 1969 killings of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate, through his followers. Though he did not physically commit the crimes himself, Manson profoundly influenced his cult, known as the Manson Family, leading them to carry out his deadly orders.
Before Manson became the leader of the Manson Family, he had a disturbing past filled with violence and crime. He spent much of his youth in correctional facilities for various offenses, including rape and theft, which shaped his manipulative and dangerous personality.
In the docuseries "Making Manson," audiences get a rare glimpse into Manson's life before his cult's infamous killing spree. The series showcases two decades of Manson's conversations, charting his criminal undertakings from petty theft to more heinous acts.
One striking revelation from the series is Manson's admission that he committed murders during his time in Mexico. According to Manson, he temporarily lived in Mexico, where he engaged in criminal activities, including car theft and murder, leaving behind a horrifying trail.
Manson described these early acts of violence with chilling detachment, mentioning how he left bodies on a beach and abandoned a gun in Mexico City. His words on the tape, "I just got involved in stuff over my head, man. Got involved in a couple of killings," reveal a part of his life previously unknown to the public.
Phil Kaufman, Manson's former cellmate, also appears in the docuseries and paints a portrait of Manson as someone who could hide his malevolence with alarming skill. Kaufman recounts how Manson expertly maintained a facade of normalcy, manipulating those around him with sinister precision.
Despite his dangerous and manipulative nature, Manson once boldly declared himself the embodiment of crime in a phone call, stating simply, "I am crime." This stark self-assessment provides insight into the psyche of a man who saw himself as above societal norms and rules.
Their interviews and recordings in "Making Manson" offer an in-depth look at how Manson’s mind worked, revealing his twisted justifications for his actions and his strategic manipulation of his followers.
Authorities eventually arrested and convicted Charles Manson for orchestrating the Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969. They sentenced him to life in prison, where he spent more than 45 years until his death in 2017 at the age of 83 from natural causes.
During a parole hearing in 2012, Manson astonishingly proclaimed himself "special" and not like the average inmate, confessing that he had put "five people in the grave." His remarks during these hearings further fueled his mystique and fearsome reputation.
The release of these conversations and confessions in the "Making Manson" docuseries adds a new layer to the public’s understanding of Charles Manson, offering a deeper look at his extensive criminal background and the mind of a notorious cult leader.
The docuseries not only delves into his early crimes but also explores Manson’s eerie ability to control and influence others to commit horrific acts. This comprehensive portrayal helps unpack the complex interplay of Manson's personality traits and life experiences that led him to become the master manipulator and cult leader known worldwide.
As "Making Manson" continues to reveal his long-concealed activities and interactions, it becomes clear that Manson's life was a twisted journey through crime and manipulation, punctuated with losses for many and a mystique that endures in criminal history.
