Who's left of Charles Manson's followers and where are they today?
The Manson Family cult: Who’s left of Charles Manson’s followers and where are they today?
- The notorious Manson Family were convicted for nine murders after embarking on a killing spree of Los Angeles’ rich and famous in 1969
- Their cult leader is now dead, some have been paroled and others remain behind bars for the notorious murders
Charles Manson led a cult of around one hundred disaffected young people in the 1960s, which he named the Manson Family, and dispatched his followers to murder Los Angeles’ rich and famous in 1969.
The notorious Manson Family were convicted for nine murders after embarking on the killing spree that terrorized the city fifty years ago.
Now, decades later, one of the murderers Leslie Van Houten has been released from prison after serving more than fifty years for two of the infamous killings.
Members of the Manson Family stabbed, beat and shot young actress Sharon Tate, who was heavily pregnant, to death at her Hollywood Hills home on August 8 1969.
They also killed her friends, celebrity hairstylist Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Abigail Folger, aspiring screenwriter Wojciech Frykowski and teenager Steven Parent, who had been visiting an acquaintance at the estate’s guesthouse.
The next night Manson and some of his followers struck again, this time murdering wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary at their home.
Manson and his followers also killed musician Gary Hinman and Hollywood stuntman Donald ‘Shorty’ Shea.
Experts have since speculated that the group could have been responsible for more unsolved murders.
Here is everything you need to know about the Manson Family and where Charles Manson’s surviving followers are today.
Charles Manson led a cult of disaffected young people in the 1960s, and dispatched his followers to murder Los Angeles’ rich and famous in 1969
Charles Manson (pictured left in 2017) died in 2017 in prison where he was serving life for the brutal murders of nine LA residents in 1969 (pictured in 1969 right)
Members of the Manson Family stabbed, beat and shot young actress Sharon Tate (pictured), who was heavily pregnant, to death at her Hollywood Hills home on August 8 1969
How many of the Manson Family are still in jail?
Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted for the murders of Folger and Leno LaBianca, aged 75, remains in prison.
Krenwinkel met Manson when she was 19 and believed that she was in a romantic relationship with the cult leader, but he soon bartered her for sex and she twice attempted to leave.
His followers tracked her down, brought her back, and kept her high on drugs she later alleged.
Krenwinkel came up for parole in 2022, but Governor Gavin Newsom blocked her release.
Charles ‘Tex’ Watson, now 77, also remains behind bars for his role in the killings on the Tate estate and at LaBianca’s home.
Watson first met Manson at Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson’s home.
He shot Steven Parent after leading the killers to Tate’s home, and also took part in the butchery at LaBianca’s estate.
Despite his attempts over the years to convince the parole board he is a changed man Watson has repeatedly been denied release.
Bruce Davis, now 80, remains incarcerated at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo.
He was convicted of taking part in the Hinman and Shea murders but was not involved in the Tate and LaBianca killings.
Davis attacked Shea with a knife and held Hinman at gunpoint while Manson butchered them with a sword.
Parole panels have repeatedly recommended his release, but governors have blocked it.
Bobby Beausoleil remains in prison at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville for murdering his musician friend Gary Hinman.
He was eventually recommended for release in 2018, but Governor Newsom also blocked the decision.
Leslie Van Houten spiraled out of control aged 14, she rejected her life as a high school cheerleader and homecoming princess and instead turned to a life of drugs
Leslie Van Houten has been released from prison after serving more than fifty years for two of the infamous killings
Leslie Van Houten, seen being transported to jail in 1977, had been originally sentenced to death before being resentenced to life imprisonment
Who has been released?
Leslie Van Houten spiraled out of control aged 14, she rejected her life as a high school cheerleader and homecoming princess and instead turned to a life of drugs.
When she became pregnant her mother forced her to have an abortion and bury the fetus in the backyard, she alleged.
Van Houten met Manson at an old movie ranch on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
She eventually ended up taking part in the murder of Rosemary LaBianca by holding a pillowcase over her head and stabbing her more than a dozen times.
Steve Clem’ Grogan, 71, became involved with Manson while he was working as a ranch hand at the same old movie ranch where Manson put up his followers.
He was sentenced to life in prison for taking part in Shea’s murder but was eventually paroled in 1985 and moved to Northern California.
Charles ‘Tex’ Watson, now 77, (pictured left in 2011) also remains behind bars for his role in the killings on the Tate estate and at LaBianca’s home (pictured right in 1970)
Jay Sebring, hairdresser to the stars, and developer of male hair care products was murdered along with Sharon Tate and others by the Manson family
Manson and some of his followers also murdered wealthy grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary at their home
A policeman in the drive of the Los Angeles home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca following their brutal murders
How many have died?
Charles Manson died in 2017, aged 83 having spent fifty years in prison.
He spent decades taunting prosecutors and investigators, at some points denying involvement in the murders and at others suggesting he had killed more than those he was convicted for.
Susan Atkins, one of Manson’s followers convicted for the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murders, died of cancer in 2009 aged 61.
Atkins was working as a topless dancer in San Francisco when she met Manson in 1967.
Initially the Tate and La Bianca murders went unsolved, but Atkins boasted of killing them to her cellmate in prison while serving time for unrelated offences.
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