Forty-five years since the Manson family murders shocked the world, a model is speaking out for the first time to INSIDE EDITION about how she escaped the infamous night.
It was one of the most brutal crimes in American history—The Manson murders that left seven dead, including actress Sharon Tate. But one woman said she could have been the eighth victim.
Her name is Ava Roosevelt, and for the first time she has spoken up about the incredible twist of fate that saved her life.
Watch Roosevelt's Interview with INSIDE EDITION
"I don't know if I feel guilty because I didn't die," Roosevelt told INSIDE EDITION. "When I tell people the story they say it's impossible."
It was the summer of 1969. Roosevelt was an up-and-coming model who had just moved to Los Angeles from her native Poland. She became close friends with beautiful actress Sharon Tate, who had just appeared in Valley of the Dolls.
Pictures show Roosevelt on a California beach next to Tate's husband, director, Roman Polanski.
On the night of August 9, 1969, Roosevelt was driving through Benedict Canyon on her way to a party at a house Tate was renting at 10050 Cielo Drive. Roosevelt was driving her used 1955 Rolls Royce Silver Dawn.
"Everything in this car was perpetually breaking down," said Roosevelt.
Although she had recently filled the tank, the gas gauge showed it was empty. It was close to midnight, and rather than risk being stranded, she turned around and headed home.
"This car didn't want me to go there," said Roosevelt.
Roosevelt had no way of knowing that just moments later Manson family members would slaughter Tate, who was eight months pregnant, and everyone else inside the house.
"The way they were all murdered was such a brutal, heinous crime," said Roosevelt.
Forty-five years later, the nightmare of that night has stayed with Roosevelt. She was outraged that "Manson Girl" Patricia Krenwinkel is alive and pleading for parole in a new documentary released just this week.
Krenwinkel said in the documentary, "What a coward I found myself to be."
Roosevelt told INSIDE EDITION, "I don't like the fact that she's even being considered for parole and I hope it doesn't work for her."
After her escape from death, Roosevelt went on to lead a full life. She had four husbands, including FDR's grandson, William Roosevelt. She just wrote about her experience for South Florida Opulence magazine, finally able to share the twist of fate that saved her life.
"It really taught me an incredible appreciation of life over and over again," said Roosevelt.
