52 YEARS AGO — these beautiful people were taken from the world:

SHARON TATE, 26 — At the time of her death, Sharon had fully established herself in the Hollywood sphere and her career was one of the most highly anticipated as the 60s were reaching their close. It is believed that she was feeding more than 20 stray kittens in the weeks leading up to her death. She was also around 2 weeks away from giving birth when she was murdered, and had been getting ready to welcome her baby boy by painting the nursery and buying clothes and toys.

JAY SEBRING, 35 — A former navy veteran, Jay had made his name within celebrity circles as a pioneer of men’s hair styling, with notable clients including Warren Beatty and Frank Sinatra, who had described him as being a kind and thoughtful man with sophisticated taste. His innovative techniques had helped him establish an international brand with a legacy that would continue for at least 40 years after his death.

WOJCIECH FRYKOWSKI, 32 — Described as good-natured and utterly loyal, Wojciech had big dreams of making it in Hollywood as a writer, and was being mentored by his friend, Roman Polanski, whom he had known from school. He was an excellent swimmer and was also fluent in French, the language he used to communicate with his girlfriend, Abigail. Wojciech’s son, Bartłomiej, was just 10 years old when his father was killed.

ABIGAIL FOLGER, 25 — Known as “Gibbie” to her friends, Abigail was just 2 days away from her 26th birthday when she was murdered. Abigail was a keen artist, as well as a very talented pianist. She had attended university, receiving honours in Art History. Despite being wealthy, Abigail dedicated a lot of her time volunteering and working alongside charities in California, as well as being very involved in the civil rights campaigns.

STEVEN PARENT, 18 — No relation to the people living at 10050 Cielo Drive, Steven was on the premises to visit the caretaker to try and sell him a clock radio. He was fascinated with electronics, with his ability being described as ‘near-genius’ level. He was also a big fan of folk music. He had just graduated from high school that summer, and was planning on attending Citrus Junior College that September.

PAUL RICHARD POLANSKI, in utero — Sharon’s unborn child, whose arrival was well anticipated by both his parents. The house was being decorated ready for his arrival, as Sharon planned to make 10050 Cielo Drive their long term residence. Paul was later buried in his mother’s arms.

These were real people, just like you and I, with hopes, dreams and aspirations. They had favourite foods, songs that made them cry, books they’d recommended to everyone, inside jokes that had put them on the floor laughing every time. They had parents, siblings, partners, and friends who still feel their losses deeply today. And they lost them in the most terrible way. The most heartless way. In a way they least deserved.

We cannot go back, though I know so many of you wish you could. But we can still help them now. Debra Tate’s petitions strive to keep the monsters behind these crimes behind bars for the rest of their lives. You can find them at:

Requiescant in Pace

‘I like white flowers. My friends know so I get a lot of lilies. I leave them in the vase, let them rot until there’s a pretty mould on the surface. With other bouquets I leave the plastic on until they dry out. I keep everything.’

Joan Collins reads East of Eden by John Steinbeck during a break in the filming of Island in the Sun (1957).