Shorty Shea

Shorty Shea was a livestock wrangler, ranch hand and handyman on the Spahn Movie ranch, near Chatsworth, California, prior to the arrival there of Charles Manson and his entourage. In addition to his duties on the ranch, Shorty also found time to work in Hollywood as an extra, and some larger parts in "adult films." Unfortunately, Shea also found the time to visit with, and on occasion party with, the hippie clan led by Manson. It has long been suspected that Shea knew enough about the movements of the "Family" to make him a liability. Shea's disappearance from the ranch after the arrest of Manson was cause for concern, and later his body was discovered on the ranch. A detailed account of Shea's involvement with Manson and his clan can be found in Vincent Bugliosi's highly regarded book "Helter Skelter".