Victims present at 10050 Cielo Drive during the August 8–9, 1969 murders
On the night of August 8–9, 1969, multiple people were killed at the Benedict Canyon home located at 10050 Cielo Drive, where actress Sharon Tate was staying. The individuals who died with Sharon Tate were Sharon Tate herself, her unborn son Paul Richard Polanski, actress Abigail Folger, heiress Abigail Folger’s friend Wojciech Frykowski, and family friend Steven Parent. Later that same night, estate caretaker William Garretson was found unharmed at the property. The following passages detail each person’s relationship to the home or to Tate, drawing on verified investigative and judicial records.
Sharon Tate Polanski: the central figure connected to each victim
Personal and familial context
Sharon Tate was a prominent American actress and model who had moved to Los Angeles to advance her film career and was in the late stages of pregnancy at the time of her death. She had married film director Roman Polanski in January 1968 in London and was staying at the rented home of friend Jay Sebring while awaiting the birth of her first child. Her public identity as a growing star and her high-profile marriage linked her to a wider circle of acquaintances who were present during the attacks.
Relationship map of victims at the residence
| Name | Connection to Sharon Tate | Age at death | Role or context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharon Tate Polanski | Primary resident / expecting mother | 26 (27 at time of due date) | Actress, homemaker, victim |
| Paul Richard Polanski | Unborn son | Not applicable (fetus) | Posthumously named heir; gestational age estimated at 28 weeks |
| Abigail Folger | Guest; heiress to Folgers coffee fortune | 25 | Visitor accompanying Tate |
| Wojciech Frykowski | Guest; boyfriend of Abigail Folger | 21 | Visitor present during the incident |
| Steven Parent | 18 | Young man present in the guest house area |
Abigail Folger: heiress and close friend who was visiting
Abigail Folger was the heiress to the Folgers Coffee family fortune and a longtime friend of Sharon Tate. She traveled from her home in New York to Los Angeles to visit Tate at what had become her temporary home. Folger was present in the house at 10050 Cielo Drive on the night of the murders and was killed inside the residence. Her death was part of the same series of violent events that claimed the lives of multiple occupants and visitors.
Wojciech Frykowski: companion of Abigail Folger
Wojciech Frykowski, a Polish-born nightclub operator and longtime companion of Abigail Folger, was staying with her at the Tate residence. Like Folger, he was not originally居住 at the property but was present during the attack. He sustained multiple injuries during the incident and was found deceased at the scene. His presence placed him alongside the inner circle of people who died directly in the home that night.
Steven Parent: a young visitor in the guest house
Steven Parent was an 18-year-old acquaintance of the property caretaker, William Garretson, and was present in the guest house area of the estate shortly before midnight. He encountered one of the intruders and was killed outside the main house. Parent had no direct relationship with Sharon Tate but was present on the property at the time and became one of the individuals who died in the violent events.
William Garretson: the survivor who worked on the estate
Discovery and account
William Garretson was the caretaker of the property and resided in a separate cottage on the grounds. Although he encountered an intruder during the attacks, he survived by feigning death. The following morning he contacted police and provided statements that helped shape the initial understanding of the crimes. Garretson’s survival distinguishes him from the others who died with Sharon Tate that night.
The unborn child: Paul Richard Polanski
Sharon Tate’s unborn son, Paul Richard Polanski, was posthumously recognized through legal and memorial practices. Although not born alive, he was named as an heir in civil proceedings and is remembered alongside the others who lost their lives. His inclusion in narratives about the deaths underscores the broad impact of the murders on families and legal estates.
Legal proceedings and attribution
Investigations swiftly pointed to members of the Manson Family, and subsequent trials resulted in murder convictions for individuals who participated in or orchestrated the attacks. Judicial findings established the relationships among the victims, the defendants, and the events that unfolded at 10050 Cielo Drive. These records remain central to the historical understanding of who died with Sharon Tate and how their connections are documented.
Clarifying relationships and common questions
- Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski were married; their unborn child was intended to be part of the family unit present that night.
- Abigail Folger and Wojciech Frykowski were guests, not residents, but were killed inside the home alongside Tate.
- Steven Parent was a young visitor in a separate structure and had no prior relationship with Tate.
- William Garretson was present as an employee of the estate and survived the attacks.
Enduring legacy and memorial context
The murders associated with Sharon Tate and the others who died that night remain a significant reference point in discussions of crime, celebrity, and justice. Memorial practices, legal reviews, and cultural reflections continue to acknowledge each person lost. By focusing on verified records and established relationships, the memory of those who died with Sharon Tate is preserved with accuracy and respect.