Almost four decades after Charles Manson and his followers committed their "Helter Skelter" murders, authorities plan to search for more possible victims at the group's hideout at Barker Ranch in Death Valley National Park. But Manson's top lieutenant, Charles (Tex) Watson, says their are no more bodies to be found.

Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze announced that his office will do "limited excavation" later this month in an attempt to determine if there are more bodies buried in the Barker Ranch area, although searches and testing done those far has produced inconsistent results.

"There was no consistent response from the dogs that searched, and no conclusive findings from the soil samplings tested by top experts in the field," Lutze said in a statement. "Therefore I believe the only way to determine once and for all whether there are bodies buried at Barker Ranch from the time of the Manson family is to proceed with limited excavation in a very few areas."

Cadaver Dog Finds Five Sites

Interest in the Barker Ranch search increased in the past year after forensic detective and dog handler Sgt. Paul Dostie of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department took his dog Buster to the Barker Ranch. The dog found five sites that Dostie identified as possible burial sites.

Scientists from Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory tested the soil where Dostie's dog alerted and found evidence of possible remains at three of the five locations.

Tex Watson Writes CNN

As part of its coverage of the Barker Ranch story, CNN wrote letters to Charles Manson and Tex Watson and asked them outright if there were more bodies buried in the desert. Manson did not reply, but Watson wrote the following response:

"I was the first family member to go to the desert after the murders and also the first to leave. I say this only to let you know that no one was killed while I was in the desert. But I don't know what took place after I left. I don't think there were any more killed, I hope not! I have absolutely nothing to hide."

Sheriff Lutze said the excavation is planned between May 20-23 and the park will be closed to the public during the process.

See Also:
Behind the Scenes: Body Hunt at Manson Ranch
California Police to Hunt for Bodies at Manson Family Hideout

Background:
Profile of Charles Manson
The Manson Family Photo Album
Profiles of Other Manson Family Members

Forum:
Discuss The Charles Manson Case

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