Sharon Tate's sister speaks out against Manson and his fiancée


There's one person who won't be sending Charles Manson and his new bride a congratulations card: Sharon Tate's sister, Debra Tate.
Sharon Tate was eight months pregnant when she was murdered by members of the Manson Family in 1969. Since her sister's death, Debra Tate has made it her mission to keep the spotlight off of Manson and his outrageous actions. Tate said she wasn't too shocked to hear earlier this week that he plans to marry a 26-year-old woman named Afton Elaine "Star" Burton, because "it's always something with him," she told The Associated Press.
Burton apparently believes that Manson is spearheading a movement called ATWA — standing for Air, Trees, Water, and Animals — with the goal of saving the planet, something that Tate says is a "con." "It makes me wonder what is missing in her life that she would want to marry an 80-year-old man," she said. "Is she a victim? Is she mentally deranged?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Burton and Tate have two very separate goals: Burton told AP she wants to help exonerate Manson, while Tate wants to prevent Manson from gaining any new fans. "I don't want any more heinous actions by another family like his because of something I didn't do," Tate said.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
'The way AI is discussed makes it seem like this is a necessary outcome'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Measles cases surge to 33-year high
Speed Read The infection was declared eliminated from the US in 2000 but has seen a resurgence amid vaccine hesitancy
-
The New York Times plays defense after publishing leaked Mamdani college application details
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The decision to publish details of Zohran Mamdani's Columbia University application has reignited simmering questions about sourcing and editorial guidelines
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read