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The Final Shock: 5 Unsettling Truths About How Charles Manson Died And The Bizarre Battle For His Body

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The death of Charles Manson in 2017 marked the end of one of the most infamous and terrifying figures in American criminal history. His passing, while expected after decades in prison, did not bring closure; instead, it ignited a bizarre, years-long legal battle over his remains and estate, revealing unsettling new details about the cult leader's final days and his unexpected ties to the outside world. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the full scope of his dark legacy—from the "Helter Skelter" murders to his surprising connections in the music industry—continues to captivate and horrify new generations, ensuring the name Charles Manson remains synonymous with pure evil. The simple fact is that Charles Manson died of natural causes at the age of 83, but the story of his final moments, the subsequent legal circus, and the ultimate disposition of his body is anything but simple. His passing on November 19, 2017, in a Kern County hospital, concluded a life defined by manipulation, violence, and a desperate craving for fame, yet the drama surrounding his physical remains became the final, macabre act of his life story.

Charles Manson: A Brief Biography and Criminal Profile

Charles Milles Manson (né Maddox) was an American criminal and cult leader who orchestrated the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969. His life was a revolving door of reform schools, correctional facilities, and prisons, beginning almost immediately after his birth.

  • Full Name: Charles Milles Manson (né Maddox)
  • Date of Birth: November 12, 1934
  • Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Date of Death: November 19, 2017 (Age 83)
  • Cause of Death: Natural Causes
  • Spouses: Rosalie Jean Willis (m. 1955; div. 1958), Leona "Candy" Stevens (m. 1959; div. 1963)
  • Children: Charles Manson Jr. (later changed name to Jay White), Charles Luther Manson, Valentine Michael Manson (with Mary Brunner)
  • Key Crimes: Orchestrated the Tate-LaBianca murders in August 1969, leading to the deaths of seven people, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, Voytek Frykowski, Steven Parent, and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
  • Conviction: Nine counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, resulting in a death sentence later commuted to life in prison.

Manson spent the majority of his life incarcerated. After his final release in 1967, he moved to San Francisco and then Los Angeles, gathering a group of young, disenfranchised followers who became known as the "Manson Family." They settled at the dilapidated Spahn Ranch, a former movie set in the Santa Susana Mountains.

The Final Chapter: How Charles Manson Died in Prison

Charles Manson spent his last decades at Corcoran State Prison in California, serving nine life sentences. His time behind bars was not uneventful; records indicate that he violated prison rules over 100 times, demonstrating a lifelong pattern of defiance and refusal to conform.

The Immediate Cause of Death

Manson was 83 years old when he died. His death was officially attributed to natural causes, though a confidential death certificate later revealed he suffered from cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and colon cancer.

In the months leading up to his death, Manson experienced several health crises. He was hospitalized in January 2017 for serious gastrointestinal bleeding and was deemed too weak for surgery. He was returned to Corcoran State Prison but was admitted to a hospital again in November of that year, where he ultimately passed away on November 19, 2017, at 8:13 p.m.

His passing was announced by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), confirming that the notorious cult leader had finally met his end after nearly 50 years behind bars for the horrific crimes he masterminded.

The Bizarre Legal Battle Over Manson’s Remains and Estate

The death of Charles Manson triggered an unexpected and highly publicized legal battle that lasted for months, turning the disposition of his remains into a macabre spectacle. Multiple parties emerged, each claiming a right to the body and his meager estate, which included personal property, music recordings, and artwork.

The Contenders for the Body

The primary battle was fought between three individuals:

  1. Michael Brunner: A man claiming to be Manson's son.
  2. Matthew Roberts: A man who claimed to be Manson's son but was later ruled out by DNA.
  3. Jason Freeman: A man who claimed to be Manson's grandson, the son of Charles Manson Jr. (Jay White).

The legal fight was complicated by a supposed will that named a pen pal as the beneficiary, but ultimately, the court sided with the next-of-kin. In March 2018, Kern County Superior Court Commissioner Alisa Knight ruled that Jason Freeman had the right to claim the remains, ending the months-long legal standoff.

The Secret Cremation and Final Resting Place

Following the court ruling, Charles Manson’s body was finally released from the Bakersfield morgue. The final disposition was a quiet, private affair, starkly contrasting with the public chaos of his life and crimes.

  • Funeral: Manson had a small, open-casket funeral service attended by his grandson, Jason Freeman, and a few others.
  • Final Disposition: His body was cremated, not buried.
  • Ashes: Manson's ashes were scattered by Freeman in a secluded creek bed in a forest, ensuring there would be no public grave site that could become a shrine for his followers.

This final act ensured that, in death, Charles Manson would not have a permanent, identifiable monument, effectively denying any lingering "Family" members a place of pilgrimage. The entire process, from death to cremation, took over four months due to the legal wrangling.

The Enduring Legacy of "Helter Skelter" and the Manson Family

Even after Manson's death, the shadow of his influence and the crimes he orchestrated remain a chilling part of American culture. The "Manson Family" was a commune of young people, primarily women, whom Charles Manson controlled through a potent mix of drugs, sex, and his twisted ideology, which he called "Helter Skelter"—a term he borrowed from a Beatles song that he interpreted as a coming race war.

Key Manson Family Members and Their Status

The individuals who carried out the murders on Manson's orders are still a focus of public fascination and legal scrutiny. Key members involved in the Tate-LaBianca murders include:

  • Charles "Tex" Watson: Convicted for his role in both nights of the murders. He remains incarcerated.
  • Patricia Krenwinkel: The longest-serving female inmate in California. She has been recommended for parole in recent years, though the decision is subject to review by the Governor.
  • Leslie Van Houten: Convicted for the LaBianca murders. She has been repeatedly recommended for parole, but these decisions have been consistently blocked by California governors.
  • Susan Atkins: Convicted for her role in the murders. She died in prison in 2009.
  • Linda Kasabian: A key witness for the prosecution who was granted immunity. She was present at the murder scenes but did not participate in the killings.

The Music Connection

A lesser-known but crucial part of Manson's story is his failed musical career and his connections to major figures in the rock world. Manson was an aspiring singer-songwriter who believed he was destined for rock stardom.

  • The Beach Boys: Manson befriended Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys, living in his home for a time. Wilson helped Manson record some of his music, and The Beach Boys even recorded a Manson-penned song, "Cease to Exist," which they retitled "Never Learn Not to Love."
  • Neil Young: Young was impressed by Manson's music and even gave him a motorcycle. Young later recommended Manson to a record executive.
  • The Beatles: Manson's entire "Helter Skelter" motive was built around his distorted interpretation of the Beatles' White Album, believing the songs contained coded messages directing him to start a race war.

The fact that a figure of such profound criminality was so deeply connected to the counter-culture and music scene of the 1960s only adds to the unsettling nature of his legacy. Charles Manson's death closed the physical chapter on his life, but the dark, complex story of the Manson Family, the victims, and the cultural shockwave they created remains an indelible scar on American history.

charles manson died
charles manson died

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