In late 1967, fourteen-year-old Dianne Lake became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson and member of his Family.

Member of the Family includes 16 pages of photographs. While much has been written about Charles Manson, this riveting account from an actual Family member is a chilling portrait that recreates in vivid detail one of the most horrifying and fascinating chapters in modern American history.

With the help of good Samaritans, including the cop who first arrested her and later took her into his home, the courageous young woman eventually found redemption and grew up to lead an ordinary life. Though she never participated in any of the group’s gruesome crimes and was purposely insulated from them, Dianne was arrested with the rest of the Manson Family, and eventually learned enough to join the prosecution’s case against them. From Spahn ranch and the group acid trips, to the Beatles’ White Album and Manson’s dangerous messiah-complex, Dianne tells the riveting story of the group’s descent into madness as she lived it. Over the course of two years, the impressionable teenager endured manipulation, psychological control, and physical abuse as the harsh realities and looming darkness of Charles Manson’s true nature revealed itself. In this poignant and disturbing memoir of lost innocence, coercion, survival, and healing, Dianne Lake chronicles her years with Charles Manson, revealing for the first time how she became the youngest member of his Family and offering new insights into one of the twentieth century’s most notorious criminals and life as one of his “girls.” This is my story.Īt fourteen Dianne Lake-with little more than a note in her pocket from her hippie parents granting her permission to leave them-became one of “Charlie’s girls,” a devoted acolyte of cult leader Charles Manson. At age 14, I became one of Charles Manson’s Girls.

Member of the Family by Dianne Lake