John Phillip "Zero" Haught, a 22-year-old member of the notorious Manson Family, died under mysterious circumstances on November 5, 1969, in Venice, Los Angeles, California. Haught, who had recently moved to California and joined the Manson Family, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the right side of his head at a residence on 28 Clubhouse Avenue.
The initial report suggested that Haught had been playing a game of Russian Roulette, a dangerous game involving a revolver with a single bullet, when he accidentally shot himself. This account was supported by the statements of other Manson Family members present at the scene, including Catherine Gillies, Bruce Davis, Sue Bartell, and Madeline Joan Cottage, who claimed they heard a gunshot and found Haught dead.
However, several inconsistencies in the evidence cast doubt on the suicide theory. Despite Bruce Davis admitting to handling the gun, neither his nor Haught's fingerprints were found on the weapon or its holster, suggesting they had been wiped clean. Additionally, the revolver was fully loaded, contradicting the Russian Roulette narrative. These discrepancies led to suspicions that Haught's death was not an accident but rather a murder orchestrated by the Manson Family. It was speculated that Charles Manson, the leader of the group, had become increasingly paranoid and distrustful of Haught, fearing he might betray the family to the authorities. This paranoia was fueled by Haught's alleged "loose lips" and his potential involvement in the group's criminal activities, including the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders.
Despite these suspicions, the death was officially ruled a suicide by the authorities at the time. The investigation into Haught's death did not lead to any arrests or charges, and the case was closed without further action. However, the mysterious circumstances surrounding his death and the involvement of the Manson Family members present at the scene have continued to fuel speculation and conspiracy theories over the years. The case remains a dark and unresolved chapter in the history of the Manson Family's criminal activities.
