Additional Information about Manson Family Victim Stephen Parent Discovered By Tom O'Neill.

The Manson Family murders remain shrouded in mystery, even decades later. While the names of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, and the others are well-known, the story of Stephen Parent, the first victim on that fateful night, often feels incomplete.

I did a livestream reacting to a video Tom O’Neill, the author of Chaos, made. In it, he showed a series of documents and interviews that revealed many new revelations about Stephen Parent’s life. The resulting discussion took us on a deep dive into Parent's background and brought some disturbing questions to the forefront. Tom's video is linked at the bottom, and I've also included the slides from my original live stream.

The official narrative paints Parent as a mere bystander, an unsuspecting 18- year-old selling a clock radio to William Garretson, the caretaker of the Cielo Drive property. But is that the whole story? Several details surrounding Parent's death have always felt off. Why was he selling a clock radio so late at night? And why, as images of his body reveal, were there so many defensive wounds on his arms? These aren't the marks of a quick, clean execution; they suggest a struggle.

And then there are the hidden parts of Parent's past. Tom’s video highlighted some alarming details that were seemingly suppressed:

A Troubled Past: 

Parent spent two years in juvenile detention for burglary, and was on probation at the time of his death.

A Disturbing Connection:

 Parent knew a parish priest, Father Robert Byrne, the same priest who later identified his body, in a bizarre sequence of events. Also introduced him to Edgar Cahn, a former priest, who had been defrocked for horrific crimes of sexual abuse against minors. O’Neill uncovered that Parent actually lived with Cahn, while Cahn claimed he just visited a few times, and the visits were solely to discuss audio equipment. Others who worked with Parent at The Stereo shop paint a different picture. They describe instances where Father Cahn would call and seemingly harass Parent if he wasn't home at a certain time, suggesting a possessive or controlling relationship.

Suppressed ID: 

Despite reports to the contrary, Parent had identification on him when he died, another detail that was seemingly concealed.

These revelations raise a chilling possibility: Was Stephen Parent truly an innocent bystander? Could he have been involved in something he shouldn't have been? Perhaps he was connected to a robbery that escalated into murder, or perhaps he simply witnessed something he wasn't meant to see.

 One key question revolves around Parent's alleged reason for being at the property: selling a clock radio to William Garretson, the caretaker. This seems incredibly mundane compared to the brutal events that unfolded, and some researchers find it hard to believe. Why would someone drive all the way to Cielo Drive on a hot summer night just to sell a clock radio?

Evidence of a Hasty Escape?

Another puzzling aspect is the condition of the property's fence. While official accounts state that Parent struck the fence with his car while trying to leave, knocking it down, pre-existing photos show the fence already damaged. However, the presence of paint from the fence on Parent's car confirms he did, in fact, hit it somewhere. This suggests a frantic escape attempt, implying he wasn't simply driving casually down the driveway. The question then becomes: What spurred this sudden and violent attempt to flee? The open windows on a hot night suggest a quick and perhaps unsuspecting arrival.

The Picture where you can see the broken fence before the murders.

 

The Delay in Identification and a Potential Cover-Up?

Perhaps one of the most unsettling points raised is the prolonged delay in identifying Parent's body. The speculation points towards a possible prioritization of the more famous victims – Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, and Abigail Folger (whose father was the CEO of Folgers coffee). While this may be a reasonable explanation, the other oddities surrounding Parent's case fuel suspicion of a potential cover-up. Were authorities deliberately downplaying Parent's role or obscuring the true reason for his presence at Cielo Drive?

Stephen Parent's story within the narrative of the Manson Family murders is far from straightforward. The discrepancies in the official accounts, the unanswered questions surrounding his motive for being at Cielo Drive, and the possible evidence of a cover-up raise serious doubts about the established narrative. While definitive answers may remain elusive, exploring these inconsistencies offers a chilling glimpse into the shadows surrounding one of history's most notorious crimes and forces us to reconsider the complete picture of that fateful night.

A History of Theft and Suspicion:

Parent's life was marked by a troubling pattern of theft. He was reportedly fired from a previous job at an audio studio for stealing, and his colleagues believed he suffered from kleptomania. This pattern continued at the store where he worked at the time of his death; theft was discovered after his passing. This behavior raises questions: was it a cry for help, a symptom of a deeper psychological issue, or something else entirely?

Was there more to Parent's visit than meets the eye?

Our discussion raised the possibility that Parent may have been at Cielo for a different, perhaps darker, reason. The occupants of the house were known to possess valuable audio equipment for film editing and production, and even adult films. A stereo system, not mentioned in official reports or Vincent Bugliosi's 'Helter Skelter,' was also present. Could Parent's interest lie in stealing some of this audio equipment? This theory is bolstered by revelations that Parent was previously fired from an audio studio for theft. He had also been to juvenile hall for burglary.

The Root of the Compulsion: A Cry for Help?

Parent's compulsive stealing could be linked to deep-seated trauma. Considering his background as an altar boy and the potential for being alone with priests, the stealing might have been a subconscious attempt to seek attention and help, a tragic manifestation of inner turmoil.

Garretson's Silence: Trauma and Fear?

Garretson, the only survivor on the property, has remained an enigmatic figure. He clearly appeared terrified by the events he witnessed and seemingly clammed up because of that experience. He never revealed the whole truth about whether he was involved in any 'gay stuff,' because he was so scarred by what happened. He was dragged to the bodies of Folger and Frykowski on the lawn and was asked, 'Why did you do this?' He obviously had not done anything, but that has to mess you up.

Garretson always maintained his innocence and limited knowledge of the events leading up to the murders. However, some believe Garretson may have been more involved than he let on, possibly even associating with a network of young men, sometimes referred to as 'house boys,' connected to influential figures in Hollywood. This speculation suggests that Garretson might have taken secrets to his grave.

 The nature of Parent's relationships and his potential connections within the Hollywood circle remains largely speculative. However, these lingering questions raise intriguing, albeit unsettling, possibilities. Was Stephen Parent caught in a web of secrets that ultimately led him to the wrong place at the wrong time? While concrete answers may forever remain elusive, the unanswered questions surrounding his life and death continue to fuel the enduring mystery of the Manson Family murders. Click Here to read my post about Garretson's trial Testimony.

The Pool Boy Mafia

Inevitably, in a stream about Parent and Garrettson, the subject of the pool boy mafia came up. We explored the idea that Parent, being involved in the music scene and likely familiar with the pool boy network, might have recognized Tex Watson, one of the primary perpetrators. Could this recognition be the reason Parent was targeted, and why he uttered the phrase, 'I won't tell anyone'? This is a theory, pure speculation, but it adds another layer to the already complex puzzle.

The crux of the theory revolves around the concept of a 'pool boy mafia.' Back in the late 60s, Hollywood was known for its 'house boys,' often young, bisexual, or gay men who provided various services to affluent residents. We explored the story of Harrigan and Doyle, who had a house boy who stole a significant amount of money - $5,000 - from them. This incident highlights the potential for illicit activities within this network.

William Garretson, who lived in the guest house on the Tate property and looked after Rudy Altobelli's dogs, was also considered a house boy. The theory posits that Tex Watson and Bobby Beausoleil might have been involved in the same racket, perhaps even connected to the theft from Harrigan and Doyle. Tex lived at Dennis Wilson’s house before Manson even arrived, possibly as a house boy and a drug dealer. And Bobby Beausoliel lived with Kenneth Anger as a house boy before they had a tiff, and Beausoliel stole his car and left.

Again, this is just a theory. **There is no direct proof that Stephen Parent ever met any of the Manson Family members.** However, the idea that a network existed, and that Parent may have been aware of it, adds a new dimension to the potential motives behind the murders.

I also speculated on the missing $5,000 stolen from Harrigan and Doyle. Was it truly stolen, or was it a cover story for a larger financial issue? Perhaps the money was lost or spent, and the house boy was used as a scapegoat. It's a dark thought, but it aligns with the overall aura of deceit and paranoia surrounding the Manson Family case.

Ultimately, the purpose of this discussion is not to present definitive answers, but to explore different angles and possibilities. The 'pool boy mafia' theory is just one piece of the puzzle, a speculative thread that adds to the intrigue and complexity of the Manson Family murders. While concrete evidence remains elusive, the possibility of these interconnected networks raises intriguing questions about the true motives behind the gruesome events of that fateful night in August 1969.

Unanswered Questions

Stephen Parent's story is more than just a footnote in the Manson Family saga. His history of theft, the mysterious phone calls, the conflicting accounts, and the potential for a deeper connection to the other victims raise unsettling questions. Was he a victim of circumstance, or was he caught in something far more complex? The answers remain elusive, buried beneath layers of fear, lies, and the horrific events of that fateful night. 

 

 Click Here to see my original live stream.