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April 11th, 2012
12:26 AM ET

Man says he may be Charles Manson's son

Matthew Roberts, 44, looks strikingly similar to convicted cult leader Charles Manson and it may not be a coincidence. Adopted as an infant, he tracked down his birth mother in 1998 with questions about his family. She told him she believes Manson is his biological  father.

"It's more than just possible, but probable," said Roberts. He's tried to get a DNA test to prove it either way, but Manson's sample was contaminated.

More than looks, Roberts interests and lifestyle, like music and a vegetarian diet, mirror Manson's when he was the same age. He also made comments to CNN's Miguel Marquez like,"I know what goes on in my head."

Roberts struggles with knowing that the notorious murderer could be his father, but he wants the truth while Manson, 77, is still alive. "If he is my father, then it would be nice to have laid eyes on him and been person to person with him once in my lifetime."

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Filed under: 360° Radar
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. KellyinCA

    It was almost inevitable that at least some of the children Manson allegedly fathered would come out into the open at some point. As a person of historical interest, Manson's full legacy must come out if we are to seek closure on such an extraordinary case. A full DNA sample, or indeed several, will likely be drawn from Manson's body after his death – nobody would be in a position to protest the procedure. Perhaps in time we will find out more about the Manson family and their activities and crimes during that period.

    April 11, 2012 at 11:38 pm |
  2. bob

    Knowing that he is still in prison, is all I need to know. Nothing else about him and others like him should be published.

    April 11, 2012 at 7:21 pm |
    • Wiley

      The guy didn't ask to be related to Charlie and I believe him when he says he's not proud of it. To me it is interesting to know about this story. I hope he has a decent life and finds happiness. He has committed no crimes as far as I know and therefore he should no be condemned.

      April 12, 2012 at 11:33 am |
  3. tim

    Manson is a murderer? He didn't actually murder anybody. He talked other people into doing it for him. I think there is a dinstinction to be made here.

    April 11, 2012 at 5:20 pm |
  4. candance

    I saw the report on cnn this morning. This guy said that it "ruined his career" . I say it is his own fault that his "career" is ruined- maybe if he had kept his mouth shut, nobody would of given it a second thought!

    April 11, 2012 at 4:55 pm |
  5. Trank

    Matthew has made an amazing discovery. I wonder how many other children of the 60's can state that Charlie Manson is related to them.

    I hope Matthew understands that his Dad is a maker of history, bad or not. Criminal method-breaking in the 20th Century made a huge leap forward when this case awakened a nation to the realities of what life is and how short it can be.

    April 11, 2012 at 4:02 pm |
  6. Kathy

    why would anyone want to admit they were related to this sick and cruel minded person

    April 11, 2012 at 1:15 pm |
    • jim

      My thoughts exactly. It has "ruined his life". Now he wants the whole world to know. Don't make no sense,,,

      April 12, 2012 at 3:22 am |
  7. Rebbeca

    If Manson is his biological father the best advice i could give him is stay away from him. The family that brought you up is your family not this crazed maniac. Do your self a favor and let it go do not pursue it.

    April 11, 2012 at 12:59 pm |
    • jim

      ANYBODY would want to at least meet their biological father whoever he was.

      April 12, 2012 at 3:18 am |
    • Alisha

      Exactly! He didn't go out looking for children that were possibly his. He just used women for his pleasure, then tossed them. He'd have done the same thing with this one IF he'd have gotten his hands on him.

      April 12, 2012 at 3:50 pm |
  8. MK

    " Roberts interests and lifestyle, like music and a vegetarian diet, mirror Manson's when he was the same age." This proves nothing–it could be either coincidental or Roberts did a little research.

    April 11, 2012 at 12:08 pm |
  9. Ralph in Orange Park, FL

    Fortunately, there is no evidence that criminality is transmitted genetically.

    April 11, 2012 at 11:25 am |