In August of 1969, the world became consumed by the shocking murders of actress Sharon Tate and her friends at Cielo Drive. But what many people forget is that the terror did not end there.

Just one night later, Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were brutally murdered inside their Los Angeles home by members of the Manson Family. While the media focused heavily on the Hollywood victims, the story of the LaBiancas was often pushed into the background.

In this episode, we tell the heartbreaking and often overlooked story of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca — who they were before the murders, the lives they built, their Italian American roots, and the horrifying events that unfolded inside their Waverly Drive home.

We explore Leno’s family history, his father’s successful grocery business, Rosemary’s rise from a difficult childhood to becoming a successful businesswoman, and the strange events that seemed to haunt the couple in the months leading up to their deaths.

This is the story of the “other side” of the Manson murders — the side many people rarely hear about.

Italian American Stories is hosted by Stephanie and Sandy and brings forgotten Italian American stories back to life through old newspapers, historical research, and storytelling.

In this episode of Italian American Stories, we’re telling two unsettling and lesser-known stories that feel almost too strange to be real.

First, we head to Denver in 1905, where Mercy Mosconi returns home to find two men in her house. What follows is a brutal attack, a ransacked home, and a fire that nearly kills her. But as investigators dig deeper, they begin to question everything—was this a violent robbery… or something staged much closer to home?

Then, we travel to 1920 California, where police break into a small house in El Cerrito and uncover a disturbing scene—seven adults, five children, burned money, shaved heads, and multiple Ouija boards. What began as an attempt to contact a lost loved one quickly spiraled into obsession, fear, and near tragedy.

These are stories of grief, belief, and the moments when reality begins to blur—leaving behind questions that were never fully answered.

If you enjoy strange, forgotten stories from the past, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast.

In this episode, we’re joined by actress, writer, and storyteller Christine McBurney, whose life took an unexpected turn when, in her 50s, a DNA test revealed something she never imagined… she was half Italian.

What began as a search for answers about her father quickly turned into something much deeper uncovering family secrets, long-hidden truths, and a completely new understanding of who she is.

Christine shares her incredible journey of discovering her Italian roots, connecting with relatives she never knew existed, and piecing together a story that had been kept from her for decades. Along the way, she reflects on identity, family, and the emotional impact of finally learning the truth.

Now, she’s bringing this powerful story to life through her solo show DNA Doesn’t Lie, But My Mother Did and an upcoming short film, Tutto inspired by her experience.

✨ If you’d like to support Christine’s film project Tutto (Everything) or learn more about her work, check out the links below:

🎬 Film Fundraiser: https://seedandspark.com/fund/tutto-everything#story
🌐 Website: https://www.christinemcburney.com/
📸 Instagram: @christinemcbc