US police end Manson ranch search

There have been rumours for years about other bodies at Manson's hideout

The search for bodies at a US ranch used by cult leader Charles Manson, nearly 40 years after his followers went on a killing spree, has ended.

No bodies or hidden graves have been found, despite clues that had led scientists to the site.

Manson and several members of his gang are serving life for the murders, which included that of actress Sharon Tate.

New tests at the remote hideout in California's Death Valley prompted the search for more victims.

Initial results found at least two potential grave sites, and prompted the local sheriff to allow new digging.

Animal bones

Rumours have long persisted of more bodies at the ranch, with suggestions that hikers had gone missing or followers had disappeared after falling out of favour.

Inyo County Sheriff Bill Lutze said: "So far there have been no human remains found."

He added he was glad that no evidence of further victims had been found, saying: "If we come up with nothing, that's great because there's nobody out here buried."

The dig had been due to continue on Thursday, but with work having gone faster than expected, it was called to a halt on Wednesday.

Hideout

Charles Manson was a career criminal who believed a race war was coming. He called it Helter Skelter, after a song by The Beatles.

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Investigators found the search for bodies challenging

To kick-start this war Manson ordered his followers - known as The Family - to murder.

Over two nights in Los Angeles they killed seven people, including Sharon Tate, who was pregnant.

Their hideout was a remote ranch 300 miles (500km) away - in Death Valley.

Manson was found there hiding under a sink. He and four others are still serving life in jail.