Manson Family Victim Rosemary LaBianca’s Granddaughter Stabbed To Death In Colorado

Ariana Jean Wolk’s body was found lying in a pool of blood inside her Denver apartment.

December 16, 2020

Jose-Sandoval-Romero and Charles Manson [Denver PD and Hulton Archive/Getty]

Jose-Sandoval-Romero and Charles Manson [Denver PD and Hulton Archive/Getty]

By: Aaron Rasmussen

The summertime death of a Colorado woman has made headlines a second time after it recently was revealed she was the granddaughter of Manson Family victim Rosemary LaBianca.

Denver police and paramedics responding to a 911 call on July 3 discovered Ariana Jean Wolk, 40, lying in a pool of blood in her bed with fatal sharp force injuries to the neck, court documents state.

According to a news release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office, surveillance video recovered from the night of the murder allegedly shows Wolk in the company of 24-year-old Jose Sandoval-Romero, who was “holding a clear cup with pink liquid.”

“The cup was found in Ms. Wolk’s yard and fingerprints allegedly tied it back to Jose Sandoval-Romero, who was arrested in Colorado Springs” four days later, the news release reveals. “During his interview with law enforcement, Sandoval-Romero admitted that he had stabbed Ms. Wolk, fled the scene, and discarded his bloody clothes before fleeing to Colorado Springs.”

Sandoval-Romero is charged with one count of first-degree murder, according to the July 16 release.

In August 1969, LaBianca, 38, and her husband, Leno LaBianca, 44, were two of seven people slain by cult leader Charles Manson’s followers, known as the Manson Family, during the group’s infamous two-day killing spree.

The LaBiancas, who owned a chain of grocery stores, were stabbed dozens of times and the killers used the victims’ blood to scrawl “Death to Pigs” and “Rise” on walls and the misspelled “Healter Skelter” on a refrigerator. Wolk’s then-21-year-old mother, Suzan Struthers La Berge, discovered the bodies.

The couple’s deaths occurred one day after Manson’s devotees killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate, teenager Steven Parent, Folgers coffee heiress Abigail Folger, Folger’s boyfriend, Wojciech Frykowski, and hairstylist Jay Sebring.

Manson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Leslie Van Houten and Charles “Tex” Watson were eventually convicted of the LaBianca murders.

Read more: CrimeFeed

Next Up

Hunt Continues For Fugitive Who Murdered 18-Year-Old Na'Kia Crawford In Ohio

Investigators say Adarus Black has connections to Ohio, Tennessee, Michigan and California. His arms are covered in tattoos. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please call or text the IN PURSUIT hotline. John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

Ervis Mecollari Wanted For Allegedly Killing Elderly Woman, Stabbing Her 37 Times

Capt. Mike Ponzillo from the Waterbury Police told Callahan Walsh when he arrived, "One of the worst scenes of my career, Mrs. Orso was stabbed nearly 30 times... 37 times was the final number." Investigators said he has a history of drug use and may have had surgery on his nose due to excessive heroin use. If you know where Ervis Mecollari is hiding out, please call or text our hotline. Host John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

Texas Woman Wanted For Hiring A Hitman To Kill Husband

Margaret Lorrain Smith stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds when she vanished. She has a mole on the right side of her hairline and a small mole under her right eye. She's currently on the Texas Department of Public Safety's Top 10 Most Wanted for capital murder. If you know where she's hiding out, please call our hotline. Host John Walsh guarantees you can remain anonymous: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

Suspect For Whom Two Murder Warrants Issued in Austin Cases is Also Implicated in Third Murder in Mexico

Two murder warrants issued for same suspect in a six month period. Authorities were also looking into the possibility that Pedro Espinoza was allegedly involved in another murder in Mexico. If you have any information on Espinoza please contact our hotline directly. You can always remain anonymous and you can text information 24/7: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).

True Crime News Roundup: Police Knew Kidnapped 3-Month-Old Was In Car When They Opened Fire, Killing Him

Plus: Smuggler caught with 52 reptiles concealed in his clothing; missing Hawaiian man found encased in concrete; correctional officer accused of killing his girlfriend; and film director mistakenly handcuffed after bank reports robbery.

5 Key Facts About The Jessica Chambers Murder Case

Jessica Chambers suffered an agonizing death: Firefighters saw her walking toward them, wearing only her underwear & burned over 93 percent of her body.

Mother Who Claimed 7-Year-Old Daughter Was Sick Sentenced To Prison After Girl Dies

“This is a despicable crime,” prosecutor says of Kelly Renee Turner approving “surgery after surgery” for the child.

Aspiring Drug Kingpin Fatally Shot Newlyweds, Plotted Murder-For-Hire Scheme

James Charles Tooley was connected to the 2008 double homicide after his cousin turned him in.

Wisconsin Fugitive Kevin Anderson Wanted After Two Family Members Found Dead, With Their House Set On Fire

If you have any information on Kevin P. Anderson from Sumpter, Wisconsin, please contact our hotline directly. You can always remain anonymous and you can text information 24/7: 833-378-7783 (3-PURSUE).