Hollywood actress Sharon Tate was brutally murdered by the Manson Family on 9 August 1969, a tragedy that sent shockwaves through America and is widely regarded by historians as the pivotal moment that brought the hippie era to a close. The Great Escape actor Steve McQueen narrowly escaped the same fate that night.
A Soaring Career Cut Short
Sharon Tate's career was soaring in the late 1960s, with starring roles in major blockbusters including Valley Of The Dolls, The Wrecking Crew and Eye Of The Devil. She was destined for an extraordinary career, but it was tragically brought to an abrupt end on that fateful August night.
Sharon wasn't alone that horrific evening. She was accompanied by several close friends at her Hollywood Hills home, and legendary actor Steve McQueen was meant to be there, but a fortunate twist of fate spared him from the carnage.
The Manson Family's Deadly Attack
Charles Manson, the cult leader of the Manson Family, harboured a deep hatred for the entertainment industry. For many years, he attempted to break through as a songwriter but faced constant rejection. He went on to exploit his sinister charisma to amass a devoted group of obedient followers, individuals who would carry out any command he gave.
On 8 August, he instructed them to travel to 10050 Cielo Drive, the previous home of Terry Melcher, a record producer who had repeatedly dismissed Charles' music. When his disciples arrived, they found he no longer lived there and it was Sharon's home instead.
They stabbed four victims and gunned down another in a vehicle. In total, five people died: Sharon, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, family friend Wojciech Frykowski, his girlfriend Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent, a friend of the home's caretaker.
The Aftermath and a Narrow Escape
Sharon and Jay's bodies were discovered with a long rope wrapped around their necks to connect them. Sharon had been stabbed 16 times and was eight-and-a-half-months pregnant when she was killed. Her stillborn son Paul was buried with her body.
There could have been a sixth victim, as Steve McQueen had intended to go to Sharon's house that fateful evening. According to Marc Eliot's book Steve McQueen: A Biography, Sharon regularly hosted house parties attended by the Hollywood elite.
