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Dear Charles Manson: Little Billy Writes to Serial Killers

radaronline.com — In the late '90s, pop-culture historian Bill Geerhart had a little too much time on his hands and a surfeit of stamps. So, for his own entertainment, the then-unemployed thirtysomething launched a letter-writing campaign to some of the most powerful and infamous figures in the country, posing as a curious 10-year-old named Billy.

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  • Jhiaxuz, on 07/21/2008, -2/+12I would recommend reading The Last Victim by Jason Moss if this interests people.
  • dashboardradio, on 07/21/2008, -1/+19Awh man, I forgot about this. This was going to be my summer plan - write to murderers about normal daily things and see if they write back. Damnit. I still have a month.
    • pinkcherry, on 07/22/2008, -0/+8Welcome to the FBI watch list...
    • buu2, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1OMG. Same as me. I took today off just to write the letters. It's amazing how long it takes to compile a bunch of addresses.
  • lensman00, on 07/21/2008, -4/+93Dear Kevin Rose,

    My name is Timmy. I am 9 and 1/2 years old. I have 2 hamsters. I want a puppy, but my parents won't get me one.

    You are probably wondering why I am writing to you. I collect stock in private companies. Could you please send me 1000 shares of Digg Incorporated?

    I hope you have a nice day. Don't drink too much beer, I think that stuff is bad for you.

    Your Friend,

    Timmy
    • patpl22391, on 07/22/2008, -5/+46Dear Timmy,

      I'm so glad you decided to write me. I would love to give you some stock! But first I'll need some pictures. Be sure to take some with your shirt off, but don't let your parents find out, or I won't be able to help you. :(

      XOXOXO,
      Kevin Rose
      • salvadorwii, on 07/22/2008, -1/+35Dear Kevin Rose,


        Take a seat, right over there.

        -C. Hansen
      • rpi22, on 07/22/2008, -6/+15Dear Timmy,

        8===M=D

        8==M==D

        8=M===D

        8M====D

        8=M===D

        8==M==D

        8===M=D

        8====MD

        8===M=D

        8==M==D

        8=M===D

        8M====D

        8=M===D

        8==M==D~~~~~~~


        -Kevin
      • linagee, on 07/22/2008, -3/+2hot. he is undressing me with his mind.
      • overridemymind, on 07/22/2008, -1/+6Dude, this is pretty ***** up right here.
      • tech42er, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2@salvadorwii
        brilliant, you win the thread.
    • seriouslyorange, on 07/22/2008, -14/+4Dear Kevin,

      You may not remember this, but nineteen years ago, you replied to a letter that I sent you asking for help acquiring some stock. Thanks to your wise and succint advice, I have grown up to become very successful. After graduating from UCLA with a major in entertainment, I decided to become a porn star. I bet you didn't know that you could make that profound of an impact on me.

      I also apologize that back in my early years, I spent the majority of that stock on comic books and Hustler magazines that I bought from my friend, Alex.

      With regards,
      Tim Addellsin
      • Tribis, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Dear seriouslyorange,

        You suck.

        XOXOXO,
        Aqua Man
  • b10t0x1c, on 07/21/2008, -5/+2Life imitating art: Remember "Problem Child"?
    • TrevorBelmont, on 07/22/2008, -2/+15I remember it well enough not to call it art.
      • ruforealz, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2Problem Child 2 was where they really hit their stride
  • dannyapplesauce, on 07/21/2008, -1/+41I know I saw this on digg before, but it's still a great read and gives a little insight into these people's mindsets. The manson letters were freaking creepy.
  • poprocksandsoda, on 07/21/2008, -0/+22Am I the only one that has to wonder just how lonely prison must be for Ramirez, Manson and a Menendez brother to respond? Damn, I'm going to continue to stay on the good side of the law.
  • poprocksandsoda, on 07/21/2008, -13/+2Am I the only one to wonder how lonely prison must be if Manson, Ramirez and a Menedez brother took the time to respond? Damn, I'm going to continue to stay on the good side of the law.
    • micro506, on 07/22/2008, -0/+14No, the guy right above you does too.
  • AngusMustang, on 07/21/2008, -0/+56It's a little freaky when they write back asking for more details...
    • wexmajor, on 07/22/2008, -0/+14They probably want to live vicariously through someone. Prison sucks.

  • chubbybubba, on 07/22/2008, -1/+68Damn! that Manson letter was some scary Sh!t. If Billy was a real ten year old and got a letter back like that he'd probably need some counseling. I mean, who sends you a picture of a barn and a letter that says I bet you don't remember this. WTF. Does he just have pictures of barns that he sends to strangers or was there some crazy stuff really going on with it. I really hope they gave the picture to the police to locate and check out the barn. Crap... I think I'm going to have nightmares of that barn.
    • Jimmeeee, on 07/22/2008, -0/+5The reply was creepy too. That is one seriously *****-up individual, if the mass murder wasn't enough of a hint.
      • phoenixshard, on 07/22/2008, -0/+5Whats even scarier about Manson is he never actually killed any of the people that his Family killed. Meeting someone that can talk you into doing something like they did, thats something I never want to experience.
    • brad3378, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Bonus Points to the digger who can identify the location of the barn in that photo.
  • DroidBlender, on 09/18/2008, -0/+74Am I the only one who would have freaked out if they would have seen a letter addressed to them from Ted Kaczynski?
    • ddawggin, on 07/22/2008, -0/+26Ironically it was the the sweetest letter IMO
    • jimmick, on 07/22/2008, -1/+14I almost fell off my chair when I read that.
      You sir, win the internet
      • overridemymind, on 07/22/2008, -0/+4Hey, awesome prize -- I hear that's worth about 2.5 Billion Theoretical dollars!

        To a more relevant end, I found it ironic that the only letter that actually appeared thouroughly bat-***** crazy out of all the killers (aside from the "send pictures" creepiness) was from Manson. I mean, I figured his letters would be out-there insane, but I didn't think he'd be the only one.

        Were Billy really a small child, his mother would have ***** her pants when she saw Ted Kaczynski's letter in the mail.
  • geneticlemon, on 07/22/2008, -7/+8Through all the crazy, LSD-induced rambling, Charles Manson's response actually made a bit of sense ...
  • donkz, on 07/22/2008, -1/+24Seems like Richard Ramirez is a decent guy... Maybe we should send him some photos!
    • Arkonnan, on 07/22/2008, -0/+6Or some Asian correspondence?
    • littlewing82, on 07/22/2008, -0/+8 just make sure they are pics of hot asians in bikinis
    • DarkoKun, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Looks like the guy caught the asian fever while in the pen. It has to happen sometime.
  • deathcannon, on 07/22/2008, -0/+49Does anyone else think it is hilarious that Ramirez has his own custom letterhead?
    • cryonix, on 07/22/2008, -0/+4No kidding, why let him use "NightStalker" with the "i" dotted with a pentagram. I'm almost tempted to send him and get a copy of the letterhead. That would definitely be a good conversation starter. (That is, if these are real letters).
      • DarkoKun, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Looks like he doesn't use them anymore. If you notice the letter in 08 was on regular paper lol
  • pablo0713, on 07/22/2008, -1/+12In the late 90s, dumb ***** kids wore Manson t-shirts.
  • lolbrandon, on 07/22/2008, -14/+3***** THE RIAA
  • scottsutherland, on 07/22/2008, -1/+32Dear Michael Jackson...
    • sockpuppets, on 07/22/2008, -0/+27Can I have my underpants back?
      • OliveStreet, on 07/22/2008, -7/+0I'm wetting my pants I'm laughing so hard!!!!!!!!
  • KnightMareInc, on 07/22/2008, -5/+2can you atleast post something from this month?
  • l4stgunslinger, on 07/22/2008, -0/+19Holy crap. Charles Manson is WACK!

    • haikuFU, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2I want a letter from him now.
    • brad3378, on 07/23/2008, -0/+2Unlike Politicians, Charles Manson actually reads your letters. Manson 2008
  • digitallysick, on 07/22/2008, -0/+12Its intresting that most of them told him to stay in school and really didn't get out of line in the letters. Except charles , but i don't honestly think he is crazy , it makes you wonder what was in the picture of that barn/shed thing
    • RobotBuddha, on 07/22/2008, -0/+7"it makes you wonder what was in the picture of that barn/shed thing"

      Enough nightmares to keep me shivering for years to come.
    • Arkonnan, on 07/22/2008, -0/+8Maybe he's hip to that silly "*****" meme that's floating around the intertubes.
  • Puppetfunk, on 07/22/2008, -0/+8Wait? You can just write to people like? This? I think Mr. Kacynzski might get a new Penpal. It'd be kinda cool to talk with someone like that. You know pick their brain?
    • linagee, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2Make sure to use your real address as the return address
    • gregnorc, on 07/22/2008, -0/+2I saw a news article a few months back they found more bodies on the Manson ranch. Maybe it's a dump site?
      • alwilson, on 07/26/2008, -0/+0Correction: they looked for bodies on the Manson ranch... but couldn't find any.
    • phoenixshard, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2I think they've had experts try to do that. I really wouldn't want to know what's in their brain beyond a bullet putting them down.
    • alwilson, on 07/26/2008, -0/+0I wouldn't want anyone like that inside my head. And, imagine if he somehow escaped! Would it be fun to wonder if they were headed your way?
  • idbjoshm, on 07/22/2008, -2/+3Digg me down for stating the obvious .. but .. Charles Manson is CRAZY! *shudders*
  • Fuxsit, on 07/22/2008, -3/+5Dear Mr. Sawyer...
    (Lost anyone)
  • stuwanker, on 07/22/2008, -0/+8Heh, Sears & Roebuck.
  • RegalGSX, on 07/22/2008, -0/+15Manson's writing closely resembles emails I get from a guy at work. I'm scared now.
  • VinnieDaMac, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3One of the more interesting articles I've read lately. Also, this almost seems too easy to get autographed pictures of people.
  • daschupa, on 07/22/2008, -0/+22Manson's letter reads like a letter from the Joker.
    • Xviper78, on 07/22/2008, -0/+7I would love to see the Joker show Manson his disappearing pencil trick.
  • DurtyJ, on 07/22/2008, -0/+7"Send pictures."

    Word.
  • SaladCactusKing, on 07/22/2008, -0/+17hahahahaha at Ramirez adding art to his letters like he's some rockstar. "NIGHTSTALKER, YEAHHH!"

    Also, 3:10 to Yuma.
  • spirotagnew, on 07/22/2008, -0/+6Don Novello, aka Father Guido Sarducci from the old SNL, has already done this in a much funnier way. He wrote nonsensical letters with lots of exclamation points and funny diagrams to world leaders, and got responses. See the "Citizen Lazlo" books. http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0743251083/ref=sib ...
    • Niightwitch, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Those were some really hilarious letters... some of the funniest stuff I've ever read.
  • dagwood, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3I'll never be able to look at another barn the same way again.
  • benroy, on 07/22/2008, -0/+12The Richard Ramirez "Nightstalker" stationary is awesome.
    I wonder if there's a Vistaprint logo on the back.
  • CindyMindy, on 07/22/2008, -9/+7Buried for Baby.
    • zephonith, on 07/22/2008, -1/+8Dugg for being an interesting article nonetheless.
  • eeinw, on 07/22/2008, -4/+4Am I the only one who noticed that Ted Kacynzski spelled his own last name wrong?
    • terracottapai, on 07/22/2008, -1/+11I noticed how you misspelled his name and he didn't.
      Kaczynski
      • eeinw, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Then you'd realize it's misspelled throughout the entire article except the letters from Billy and himself.
  • MrTito, on 07/22/2008, -0/+7Charles Manson has like a two week turn-time on his letters. I don't know why I noticed this. Crazy and efficient.
    • alwilson, on 07/26/2008, -0/+0Yeah, especially considering how busy his schedule is. Imagine procrastinating while in prison? How pathetic is that?!
  • Arcotik, on 07/22/2008, -0/+7Interesting that two of the elected officials had almost identical responses for people requesting pictures...must be a popular theme.
    • tech42er, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1It is...kids request pictures of politicians all the time, so they just have form letters. That's why Clarence Thomas had to handwrite his preference for Egg McMuffins.
  • NecroDigg, on 07/22/2008, -0/+31Can't sleep, barn will eat me.
  • 0Xonox0, on 07/22/2008, -2/+9"Thank you for requesting my photo. I have enclosed one for your collection, with my compliments" - Arnold Schwartzinegger
    • linagee, on 07/22/2008, -0/+13Did arnold even read the letter? seems like 100% form letter.
  • jayobear, on 07/22/2008, -1/+4That was a good read. That you sure know how to pick 'em mrbabyman!
  • SaladCactusKing, on 07/22/2008, -0/+6Writing to serial killers is the only way to correspond with famous people nowadays
  • delaxna, on 07/22/2008, -3/+0I don't think these guys are half as tough as the average Digg user. I mean, why else would they threaten people from behind a computer for making fun of them? Visit My Home Page ather ideas
  • siobhankeogh, on 07/22/2008, -0/+9So I have to do this 5000 word article for my writing class on something "overlooked but interesting" and I think letters from serial killers might just qualify.
  • CorneliusStump, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2genius
  • SlapAyoda, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Wow, this was a great idea and I'm glad it hit the front page of Digg. Good reading.
  • darkphan, on 07/22/2008, -6/+2burried as dup:

    http://digg.com/arts_culture/Little_Billy_writes_L ...

    http://digg.com/people/The_Billy_Letters
    • murder1, on 07/22/2008, -1/+2Buried as those are old as *****.
    • SaladCactusKing, on 07/22/2008, -3/+2Mr Thief Baby Man takes a fascinating article and credits it for himself go figure.
  • pootpoot, on 07/22/2008, -1/+5I will probably get dugg down for this, but did anyone else think that Manson's letters had an eerie Joker feel to them? With all the little doodles and creepily happy remarks... Christ...
    • tech42er, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1Well yeah, daschupa said that 3 hours before you did.
  • DarkoKun, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3That was great wish he wrote to more serial killers. Serial killers are Fascinating and I can see manson is looney as ever.
  • grneye53, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1KILLER CORRESPONDENCE and by the way you've just been "punked"!
  • ruforealz, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Digg of the year
  • willynilly, on 07/22/2008, -0/+3Dugg for spelling "'90s" correctly.
  • Hotrox, on 07/22/2008, -3/+0Am I the only one that found these letters to be atrociously lacking in quality? Which is to say, the grammar, penmanship, and overall appearance of most of these letters is highly unprofessional.
    • loringalta, on 07/22/2008, -0/+1unprofessional? Considering these are serial killers and not business executives I think we can cut them a little slack, or is there a standard format serial killers should follow when returning letters?
    • alwilson, on 07/26/2008, -0/+0Yep, they can't write worth *****... but they sure are good at making people die. WTF do you expect?
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