Investigation at Death Valley ranch where Charles Manson "family" hid

By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDEPENDENCE, Calif. - National Park Service officials in California say the Death Valley ranch where Charles Manson was arrested will be closed for a second time this year to search for possible human remains.

A news release says Barker Ranch will be closed for up to four days later this month.

A team of forensic researchers found possible unmarked graves at the site in February they believe could be the bodies of additional Manson victims.

The park was briefly closed in April, but digging was put off because a piece of high-tech soil-testing equipment was damaged en route to the site. Authorities say they want to conduct tests using lasers before disturbing the soil.

Manson and members of his cult "family" hid out in the park in 1969 after the seven murders, dubbed the "Helter Skelter" killings, that terrified the country.