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Mary Theresa BrunnerFollower of Charles Manson
Date of Birth: 17.12.1943
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Mary Brunner
Early LifeMary Brunner was born and raised in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in the family of John and Evelyn Brunner. After graduating from school, she moved to California and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison until 1965. Brunner worked at the library of the University of California, where she met Charles Manson, who was 33 years old at the time. She allowed Manson into her apartment, and within weeks they were already sleeping together. Manson sold Brunner's piano and used the money to buy a cheap van, and Brunner quit her job and went on a journey with Manson across California.
Life with the Manson Family
In 1967, Brunner became pregnant with Manson's child, and on April 15, 1968, their son Valentine Michael was born. By that time, the Manson Family consisted of several young women, but not all of them were as devoted to Manson as Brunner. The group eventually settled at Spahn Ranch near Chatsworth. Most members of the family did not have jobs and spent their time on drugs and sexual orgies. They supported themselves mainly through drug sales and car theft.
Arrest and Involvement in Murder
On April 21, 1968, Brunner and eight other members of the Manson Family, including Manson himself, were arrested. They were caught walking naked around the stolen bus that they had been living in. Brunner was accused of neglecting her child, and he was taken away and placed in a local hospital. However, all charges against Brunner were later dropped, and she regained custody of her son.
On July 25, 1969, Brunner, along with Bobby Beausoleil and Susan Atkins, visited their acquaintance Gary Hinman, a musician and sociologist. Hinman had previously interacted with the Manson Family. On July 31, Hinman's body was found with severe facial injuries and two stab wounds in the chest. Hinman's cars were also missing from his residence. One of the cars, a Fiat, was found on August 5, 1969, with Beausoleil sleeping inside and a knife hanging from his belt. Beausoleil was immediately arrested on suspicion of murder. Three days later, Brunner was also arrested for attempting to use stolen credit cards.
Later Life
Brunner was involved in an armed robbery in Hawthorne on August 21, 1971, where she was injured during a shootout with the police. She served six years in a California women's prison for her involvement in the robbery. After her release in 1977, Brunner severed all ties with the Manson Family and changed her name. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
