5 Shocking Facts About Charles Manson's Death And What Happened To His Body

The question "Is Charles Manson alive still?" is one that continues to surface, a morbid curiosity fueled by the enduring infamy of the cult leader whose name became synonymous with the dark side of the 1960s. The definitive and most current answer is that Charles Manson is deceased. He died on Sunday, November 19, 2017, at the age of 83 while serving a life sentence in a California prison. His death, however, was not the end of the Charles Manson saga; instead, it sparked a bizarre, multi-year legal battle over his remains and estate that kept the notorious criminal in the headlines long after his passing.

As of today, December 18, 2025, the legacy of Charles Manson continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny, with the status of his surviving followers—the "Manson Family"—and the legal fight over his property providing fresh, current angles on a decades-old crime. This article provides a comprehensive look at the circumstances of his death, the shocking fight for his body, and the current status of the key entities tied to his dark history.

Charles Manson: A Complete Biography and Profile

Charles Milles Manson was one of the 20th century's most infamous criminals, a convicted murderer, cult leader, and musician whose name is inextricably linked to the 'Helter Skelter' murders. His life was a cycle of institutionalization and crime, culminating in the horrific Tate-LaBianca murders in 1969.

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• Full Name: Charles Milles Manson (born Charles Milles Maddox)
• Date of Birth: November 12, 1934
• Place of Birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
• Mother: Kathleen Maddox (a 16-year-old single mother)
• Primary Roles: Criminal, Cult Leader, Songwriter/Musician
• Key Crime Spree: Tate-LaBianca Murders (August 9-10, 1969), including the murder of pregnant actress Sharon Tate
• Conviction: First-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder
• Imprisonment: Began in 1971, serving a life sentence
• Date of Death: Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 8:13 p.m.
• Age at Death: 83
• Cause of Death: Natural causes
• Place of Death: A Kern County hospital, while an inmate at Corcoran State Prison

The Definitive Answer: How and When Charles Manson Died

Despite persistent rumors and the sensational nature of his life, Charles Manson did not die violently or by suicide. His death was officially attributed to natural causes, specifically cardiac arrest and respiratory failure, following a period of declining health.

The Final Days in Prison

Manson spent the final decades of his life incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison in California, one of the state's most secure facilities. His health had been failing for some time before his death. In January 2017, he was briefly hospitalized for a serious medical issue, which was widely reported by the media.

On November 15, 2017, he was transferred from the prison to a hospital in Bakersfield, California, where his condition rapidly deteriorated. He died four days later, on November 19, 2017, bringing an end to the life of one of America's most infamous figures. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed the death, notifying the sister of victim Sharon Tate, Debra Tate, shortly after his passing.

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The Bizarre Legal Battle Over His Body and Estate

The immediate aftermath of Manson's death was not a quiet burial; instead, it became a shocking legal spectacle. For months, his body remained on ice at the Kern County morgue as multiple parties engaged in a bizarre court battle to claim his remains and, more importantly, his estate.

Contenders for the Remains

The fight for Charles Manson's body centered on three main claimants, each asserting a different legal right to the corpse and any potential assets:

• Jason Freeman: A man who claimed to be Manson's grandson, the son of Charles Manson Jr. (who later changed his name to Jay White).
• Michael Channels: A longtime pen pal and collector of Manson memorabilia who claimed to possess a 2002 will that named him as the executor and beneficiary.
• Matthew Roberts: A man who claimed to be Charles Manson's biological son.

The Cremation and Burial

In March 2018, a Kern County Superior Court commissioner ruled in favor of Jason Freeman, validating his claim as the legal next-of-kin. Freeman was granted the right to retrieve the remains, ending the four-month-long courtroom drama. Freeman had Charles Manson's body cremated and scattered the ashes in a private, unannounced ceremony. The legal battle over the intellectual property and estate—including any music, artwork, and potential profit from his name—continued for some time, highlighting the enduring commercial interest in the cult leader's notoriety.

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Where Are the Key Manson Family Members Today? (2024 Update)

The biggest update to the Manson Family story since Charles Manson’s death involves the status of his surviving followers, many of whom were convicted alongside him for the 'Helter Skelter' murders.

• Leslie Van Houten: Convicted for the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. After decades of parole hearings, Van Houten, now in her 70s, was released from prison in July 2023 after California Governor Gavin Newsom declined to challenge a court ruling that found her suitable for parole. She is currently free on parole.
• Patricia Krenwinkel: Convicted for the Tate-LaBianca murders. She is the longest-serving female inmate in California. Krenwinkel has been recommended for parole by the board multiple times, but the parole has been consistently blocked by California governors, including Newsom. She remains incarcerated.
• Charles "Tex" Watson: Convicted for the Tate-LaBianca murders and the murder of Steven Parent and Abigail Folger. Considered Manson's right-hand man during the killings, Watson remains incarcerated at a state prison in California. He has been denied parole repeatedly.
• Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme: Convicted for the attempted assassination of President Gerald Ford in 1975. She was not directly involved in the 1969 murders but was a prominent Family member. Fromme was released on parole in 2009.
• Bobby Beausoleil: Convicted of the murder of Gary Hinman. He was granted parole in 2019 after serving 50 years, but Governor Newsom reversed the decision. He remains in prison.

The ongoing parole hearings and the release of Leslie Van Houten are the most significant, current events related to Charles Manson's legacy, demonstrating that the judicial and cultural impact of the Manson Family crimes is far from over.