Shorty Shea(1933-1969)
- Actor
Shorty Shea was a livestock wrangler, ranch hand and handyman on the
Spahn Movie ranch, near Chatsworth, California, prior to the arrival
there of Charles Manson and his entourage. In addition to his duties on the
ranch, Shorty also found time to work in Hollywood as an extra, and
some larger parts in "adult films." Unfortunately, Shea also found the
time to visit with, and on occasion party with, the hippie clan led by
Manson. It has long been suspected that Shea knew enough about the
movements of the "Family" to make him a liability. Shea's disappearance
from the ranch after the arrest of Manson was cause for concern, and
later his body was discovered on the ranch. A detailed account of
Shea's involvement with Manson and his clan can be found in Vincent Bugliosi's
highly regarded book "Helter Skelter".
