Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties

Chapter 4 focuses on Dean Moorehouse, a peripheral member of the Manson Family whose connection to Terry Melcher and the Cielo Drive residence becomes a point of scrutiny. O’Neill’s investigation reveals critical inconsistencies in Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter account, particularly regarding when Moorehouse stayed at the Manson house and his role in the events leading up to the Tate-LaBianca murders. According to Bugliosi’s version, Moorehouse briefly lived at Cielo Drive after Melcher had moved out, but before the Polanskis moved in. O’Neill’s research casts doubt on this narrative.

O’Neill’s curiosity is piqued by Bugliosi’s vague and passive language when referring to Moorehouse. Bugliosi’s account of Moorehouse is brief, raising questions about why he mentioned such a seemingly minor figure at all. O’Neill sets out to uncover the truth by reaching out to Moorehouse directly. During their interview, Moorehouse, after years of involvement with the Manson Family and hundreds of LSD trips, is now living under the name “Baba.” He reveals a timeline that contradicts Bugliosi’s narrative. Moorehouse had been arrested on drug charges and imprisoned at the beginning of January 1969, making it impossible for him to have lived at Cielo Drive during the period Bugliosi claims.