The Barker Ranch, located inside of Death Valley National Park, was the last known hideout of Charles Manson and his followers during their macabre killing spree in 1969.
The unoccupied ranch burned down in early May of 2009. Investigators were not immediately sure if the blaze was accidental or arson.KTLA: Charles Manson's Last Hideout Burns Down
The Manson Family Capture
On October 10 and October 12, 1969, police raided the Barker Ranch hoping to find vandals and were not aware they'd stumbled upon a group of mass murderers.
Charles Manson was found hiding under a bathroom vanity during the raid. The vanity no longer exists at the ranch.
Search for More Bodies
Police, using cadaver dogs, began surveying the Barker Ranch under the suspicion that there were additional bodies buried there.
A 20-member team investigated the site, sifting through dirt at four different locations because cadaver-sniffing dogs and scientific equipment had detected signs of human decay. They found nothing but a spent .38-caliber shell, small animal bones and ash.
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Fast Facts
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Filmmaker Robert Hendrickson used location for filming Manson Family members in 1970
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Located in Panamint Range
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Originally owned by Cathy Myers, a Manson Family grandmother
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Ownership transferred to the National Park Service
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Raided on October 10 and October 12, 1969
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Unoccupied
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Consisted of a main building, guest house and makeshift swimming pool
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Main building contained a kitchen, bathroom and fireplace
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