He’s been called “the forgotten Manson victim.” In fact, up until writing this post, I did not realize Gary Allen Hinman was a real person, instead assuming his character on “Aquarius,” the 2015 NBC series which chronicles the time leading up to the heinous killings perpetrated by Charles Manson and his so-called “Family,” was fictional. In truth, Hinman played a rather prominent role in the events of the summer of 1969, when Manson unleashed terror across the City of Angels.
Not only is Hinman a largely forgotten victim, but he was actually the Family’s first. And depending on which narrative you believe, his slaying may have been the catalyst for Manson’s entire Helter Skelter campaign.
The 34-year-old Hinman was by all accounts a gentle soul. A UCLA Ph.D. student who taught music – and harvested mescaline – on the side, he lived in a ramshackle house in Topanga Canyon, where he regularly allowed friends to crash. One of those friends was drifter/actor Bobby Beausoleil, who stopped by Gary’s with fellow Manson cohorts Susan Atkins and Mary Brunner on July 25, 1969, a little over two weeks before the Tate-LaBianca murders were carried out.
To hear Beausoleil tell it, he visited Gary’s house that fateful day to retrieve money owed to him after Hinman sold him a bad batch of mescaline. But Gary had no money to give. So the trio proceeded to beat and rob him. At some point, Manson himself dropped by and severely cut Hinman’s ear with a samurai sword before making off with one of his cars. Gary was held hostage for a total of 48 hours before ultimately being stabbed and suffocated by Bobby and his friends. The trio then wrote “political piggy” on the wall in his blood. His body was not found until July 31.
Bobby was arrested for the crime on August 6 after police came upon him sleeping in Gary’s stolen car and subsequently found a knife covered in blood hidden in the tire well. Two nights later, Sharon Tate and four others were infamously killed at 10050 Cielo Dr. The following evening, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered at their Los Feliz home. Some believe the mass killings were perpetrated by the Family in a misguided attempt to clear Bobby of Hinman’s death. And others assert Gary’s slaying was simply Manson’s inaugural crack at instigating his planned race wars. Either way, he was an important figure in the tragic tale who has largely been reduced to a footnote.
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Image Credit: YouTube “Aquarius,” which is currently streaming on Netflix, took a few liberties when it came to the home where Gary (played by Jefferson White) lived and was killed on the series. Hinman’s actual residence (pictured above), located at 964 Old Topanga Canyon Rd. in Topanga, was a shingled dwelling situated on the side of a hill.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com On “Aquarius,” Gary instead calls a historic Craftsman home. Located at 221 S. St Andrews Pl. in Saint Andrews Square, the property was designed in 1912 by Arthur Heineman, a prominent Pasadena architect who has the distinction of not only being responsible for the world’s first motel but several notable filming locations, as well, including Dylan McKay’s (Luke Perry) house from “Beverly Hills, 90210,” the Eppes family’s residence from “Numb3rs” and Kevin’s (Michael Vartan) pad from “Monster-in-Law.”
Initially designed as a speculative home for contractor Wilbur F. Miner, the exquisite property features three bedrooms and three baths in 2,720 square feet. The dwelling, Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument No. 1108, was thoroughly restored in 2006 by architect Barbara Bestor (images of the gorgeous final product can be seen here) and was then extensively re-designed following a 2016 sale, so it looks quite a bit different today than it did in its original incarnation.
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Image Credit: Listing Zen Despite the most recent overhaul, during which many of the traditional Craftsman elements were removed, the abode still retains some original detailing including Mahogany and oak woodwork throughout, ceiling beams and an entry door with a unique S-shaped glass insert.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com The original inglenook fireplace and decorative glass windows also still stand just past the entry, though the Grueby tiles that initially flanked the enclave have been replaced.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com The dramatic interior, with its heavily stylized furnishings, retro light fixtures and vibrant color scheme, looks more like a mid-century showplace or interior design boutique than a private residence.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com The Barbie Dream-like cabinetry in the kitchen is enough to make any millennial pink lover weep with joy (myself, included). The sweet space also boasts open shelving, bar seating, a dining area and Miele and Viking appliances.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com The striking property last sold this past February for $2,539,000 – $44,000 over asking! – and it is obvious from the MLS images that the sellers ascribed to the Home Edit method of bookshelf organization.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com Outside on the 0.22-acre lot is a large deck, patch of grass, a porte-cochère and a garden designed by landscape artist Campion Walker. The original two-car garage still stands at the rear of the yard but it was transformed into a 290-square foot studio with a half-bath as part of the 2006 renovation. The decorative S-shaped figure from the front door was even utilized in the design of the structure’s façade.
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Image Credit: Realtor.com The studio’s interior was created by the House of Honey design firm and in the recent real estate listing was billed as the “ideal work-from-home” space.
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Image Credit: ITV Studios Global Entertainment -
Image Credit: Realtor.com The property only made one appearance on “Aquarius,” in season two’s “Mother Nature’s Son.” The episode was shot in 2016, prior to the redesign of the interior, when the home boasted a much more traditional Craftsman feel, which made it a perfect fit for the 1960s-set series.
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Image Credit: ITV Studios Global Entertainment -
Image Credit: Realtor.com Only the inside of the residence appears in the episode.
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Image Credit: ITV Studios Global Entertainment -
Image Credit: Realtor.com And the production made fabulous use of the premises, even gifting viewers with a glimpse of the stunning inglenook fireplace in its original state. Though the segments shot at the residence are rather brutal, as Gary is shown being tortured and killed by Bobby (Mark L. Young), Mary (Abby Miller), Sadie (Ambyr Childers) and Charlie (Gethin Anthony), the backdrop on which it all plays out is certainly beautiful.
Until next time, Happy Stalking! 🙂
Stalk It: Gary Hinman’s house from “Aquarius” is located at 221 S. St Andrews Pl. in Saint Andrews Square. Disclaimer: Please remember this is a private home. Do not trespass or bother the residents or the property in any way.