Crime Scene Products CLICK HERE FOR THE EVIDENT HOMEPAGE www.EvidentCrimeScene.com

EVIDENT Case File - The Barker Ranch Case a.k.a. The Manson Ranch

FOR FORENSIC CONSULTING SEE: Casework

The Search for Evidence at the Barker Ranch
In April of 2008 Michael Grimm Sr. of EVIDENT was contacted by his long-time friend and associate Charles Illsley. Charles was working with the Inyo County Sheriff's Office in California. It was believed that several clandestine graves were possibly located at the Barker Ranch in the mountains of Death Valley, CA. Inyo County Sheriff's Office invited Mike Sr. and his son Mike Jr. to assist with efforts to locate the possible clandestine graves. Charles Manson was arrested at the Barker Ranch on October 12th, 1969.
Charles Illsley, Keith Campbell, and Ed Spann, all from Utah, met Mike Grimm Sr. and Mike Grimm Jr. in Las Vegas on April 10th, 2008. From there they traveled through Death Valley and arrived at the western side of the Panamint Mountain Range on April 12th, 2008. Once there they entered the Goler Wash, a treacherous ravine leading to the Barker Ranch. The road passed massive rock formations and the remnants of prospecting activities.
At the Barker Ranch the team met with another group of investigators with the Inyo County Sheriff's Office. Theories abounded as to the possible location of the clandestine graves. Efforts included the use of a specially trained cadaver dog and advanced ground search technology from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The EVIDENT team planned for both a metal detector search and a nighttime light source search of the site.
The standing structures at the Barker Ranch are clearly weathered by the extreme heat and cold that they experience throughout the year. Even in April the team faced the constant threat of dehydration. The terrain surrounding the structures consisted of sandy trails and large rocks and boulders strewn amongst the desert foliage. Charles Manson and his followers lived with virtual immunity in these remote mountains.
During the day the open and accessible areas surrounding the Ranch were searched with a metal detector. A GPS unit was used to track the metal detectors path, improving efficiency and reducing the amount of redundant searching.
The land and the mountains surrounding the Barker Ranch are part of the Death Valley National Park. Prior to and continually after Charles Manson's occupation of the Ranch the area has been used for recreational purposes. This includes the recreational use of firearms of all types, resulting in a tremendous amount of spent rounds and cartridge casings being dug with the metal detector. Nothing of value was dug in relation to the investigation.
The remote location of the ranch required significant planning by Inyo County Sheriff's Office. A series of tents and awnings were setup to provide sleeping quarters and shelter from the heat. Significant amounts of food and especially water were provided. The temperatures ranged from 95°F during the day to below 40°F at night.
As darkness fell on the Barker Ranch, efforts were shifted to a nighttime ground search with alternate light sources. Bones can fluoresce brightly when exposed to UV/Blue light. The hope was to locate any possible surface remains with this technique.
EVIDENT provided high intensity OPTIMAX LED light sources for use by the team. These tactical grade rechargeable light sources were ideal in this environment. Hand-held GPS was used to increase search efficiency. The use of orange forensic goggles reduced visibility, so care was given to prevent falls. A high-intensity head lamp provided illumination when needed.
The team spread out across the site searching for any bones which could be detected with the light sources. No human remains were found, and after many hours of searching, the team regrouped at the camp. Successive efforts to date using the cadaver dog provided no evidence of human remains at the location. Many still believe that bodies are buried somewhere in the vicinity, but a much larger scale effort would be needed to successfully search the entire area. Nothing of value was located in relation to the investigation.
Extreme changes in temperature combined with complete isolation made this the most remote location EVIDENT and the Grimm's have ever assisted with. Significant lessons were learned concerning planning, equipment and personal stamina. A well-developed plan is often times the key to optimal efficiency.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EVIDENT HOMEPAGE

Crime Scene Products
739 Brooks Mill Road
Union Hall, VA 24176
Phone 1-800-576-7606
FAX 1-888-384-3368
email contact@evident.cc

EVIDENT Crime Scene Products
© 2008 EVIDENT, Inc.