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'Big Dig' Seeks More Manson Bodies

Investigators pore over cult's Death Valley ranch

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 20, 2008 2:06 PM CDT

(Newser) – Investigators with high-tech equipment and shovels will be spending the next few days combing the Manson Family's desert hide-out for bodies, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rumors that murder victims are buried at the isolated ranch have persisted for decades. Police called in scientists after corpse-sniffing dogs became agitated at ranch locations. Many locals are skeptical about the hunt, and suspect investigators will only find an old Indian burial ground.

"I've heard so many stories over the years about Barker Ranch," said a nearby store owner. "Some say there's 30 bodies out there; some say none at all. We won't know until they dig it up."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Original lookout chairs used by Manson Family members still remain above the abandoned Barker Ranch house Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 in the Panamint Mountains west of Death Valley National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)

An abandoned miner's truck that has Helter Skelter written on the back of it behind the Barker Ranch house. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)

In this Friday, Feb. 22, 2008, file photo, the abandoned Barker Ranch house is seen in the Panamint Mountains west of Death Valley National Park, Calif. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)

Arpad Vass investigates a target site looking for buried bodies behind the abandoned Barker Ranch house as Buster, a human remains grave dog looks on in. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)

Marc Wise, left and Arpad Vass use cutting edge technology to measure the gas coming from a target site behind the abandoned Barker Ranch house, in this Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian)

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Dig due to begin today at the Barker Ranch. (bretg78)

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'Big Dig' Seeks More Manson Bodies