UPDATE 1 – Cult killer Charles Manson dead at 83

Photo of author

By BNO NEWS

Convicted murderer and cult leader Charles Manson, one of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century, has died in California after more than 46 years in prison, state officials say. He was 83 years old.

Manson passed died of natural causes at 8:13 p.m. PT on Sunday, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Bakersfield, about 56 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of the California State Prison in Corcoran.

Manson was rushed to hospital on November 12, but specific details about his condition were not released. Entertainment news website TMZ, citing sources, had previously reported that Manson was looking ashen and his health was steadily deteriorating over the past week.

The notorious criminal was also taken to hospital in early January, when he was said to be “seriously ill.” It was reported at the time that Manson had suffered severe intestinal bleeding but was too weak to undergo surgery. It was not immediately known whether it is related to his cause of death.

Manson was convicted in 1971 for his involvement in the 1969 murders of nine people, including actress Sharon Tate. The murders were carried out by his followers – the so-called “Manson Family” – which consisted of mostly runaways and outcasts.

Manson was initially sentenced to death but it was reduced to life in prison when California’s Supreme Court abolished the death penalty in the early 1970s. He became eligible for parole after just 7 years and his requests had been repeatedly denied. His next parole hearing had been set for 2027.

(Copyright 2017 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)

Images Courtesy of DepositPhotos