An early report on the Tate murders reflects the confusion and misinformation that marked the first hours of coverage, including the erroneous claim that one of the victims had a hood placed over his head. As investigators were still piecing together what had happened inside 10050 Cielo Drive, initial broadcasts often relied on incomplete or incorrect details that would later be corrected as the facts emerged. | CieloDrive.com

William Tennant, Roman Polanski’s business manager and close friend, walks with an LAPD officer after leaving 10050 Cielo Drive on August 9, 1969. Urgently paged at his tennis club and still dressed in his tennis clothes, Tennant rushed to the scene to identify the victims. After confirming the deaths of Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Jay Sebring, he emerged visibly shaken, then went home to place the devastating call to Polanski overseas, informing him that everyone in the

Sgt. Stanley Klorman speaks with newsmen at the LAPD’s West Los Angeles Division about the murders of Sharon Tate Polanski and four others, describing where the victims’ bodies were located on the property at 10050 Cielo Drive. | CieloDrive.com

On August 9, 1969, at 2:13 AM, LAPD officers responded to 10050 Cielo Drive after housekeeper Winifred Chapman ran from the property in shock. She discovered cut phone lines, saw blood outside the home, and immediately called for help. Probable cause: A distressed witness reported possible victims and visible signs of violence inside the residence. LAPD responded for a welfare check and scene security. Inside the home: Officers found overturned furniture, broken lamps, scattered belongings, and