The San Francisco Witch Killers: 5 Chilling Facts About Michael And Suzan Carson's True Crime Saga

The notorious case of Michael and Suzan Carson, a couple dubbed the "San Francisco Witch Killers," remains one of the most bizarre and chilling chapters in American true crime history. As of December 2025, the pair remain incarcerated, serving life sentences for a string of murders committed in the early 1980s under the delusion that they were ridding the world of "witches." Their story is a dark tapestry woven with cult beliefs, apocalyptic visions, and cold-blooded murder, a legacy that continues to haunt Northern California decades later.

The persistent public interest in Michael and Suzan Carson largely centers on their ongoing attempts to gain parole, which have been consistently denied, ensuring the convicted killers remain behind bars. The most recent parole hearings for both individuals have brought the case back into the spotlight, highlighting the enduring trauma their crimes inflicted on the victims' families and the wider community.

Complete Profile: Michael 'Bear' Carson and Suzan Carson

Michael and Suzan Carson, known by multiple aliases, were a couple whose shared descent into extremist beliefs culminated in a violent spree across California. Their biographical details paint a picture of two individuals who found a destructive synergy in their apocalyptic worldview.

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• Michael 'Bear' Carson (Born James Clifford Carson):
• Date of Birth: 1950 (Approximate)
• Aliases: James Clifford Carson, Michael Bear Carson, 'The Prophet'
• Known For: Convicted serial killer; one half of the "San Francisco Witch Killers."
• Motive: Claimed to be a prophet sent to cleanse the world of "witches" and "demons."
• Current Status: Incarcerated, serving a life sentence. Denied parole in May 2020.
• Family: Father to Jenn Carson, who has publicly opposed his release.
• Suzan Carson (Born Susan Barnes Carson):
• Date of Birth: 1942 (Approximate)
• Aliases: Susan Barnes Carson, Suzan Carson, 'The Witch' (self-proclaimed)
• Known For: Convicted serial killer; co-conspirator in the "Witch Killer" murders.
• Motive: Shared Michael's apocalyptic and cult-like delusions, believing they were acting on a divine mission.
• Current Status: Incarcerated, serving a life sentence. Denied parole in her second eligibility hearing.
• Age at Last Hearing: 83 years old at her second parole eligibility hearing.

The Chilling Murders and The 'Witch Killer' Moniker

The crimes of Michael and Suzan Carson spanned a period between 1981 and 1983, primarily in Northern California. Their delusion-fueled motive—the belief that their victims were "witches" or "demons"—is what cemented their infamous nickname in true crime lore. They confessed to killing at least three people, though some sources suggest they may have been responsible for more.

Victims Confirmed by Conviction:

• Jon Charles Hellyar (1981): Hellyar was a former roommate of Michael Carson in San Francisco. He was the first known victim, murdered in a shared apartment. The Carsons later fled in his truck.
• Keryn Barnes (1982): Barnes, a young waitress, was killed in the apartment the Carsons were subletting in San Francisco. Suzan Carson later confessed to the murder, claiming Barnes was a "witch."
• Clark Stephens (1983): Stephens was a hitchhiker murdered in Sonoma County, California. The Carsons were arrested shortly after this murder, which was witnessed by a frantic driver who reported the shooting.

The couple's capture was the result of a traffic stop in January 1983, following the murder of Clark Stephens. Their subsequent confessions, delivered with a chilling lack of remorse and filled with talk of a 50-year-old "prophet" (Michael) and a "witch" (Suzan), stunned investigators and the public alike.

Latest Updates: The Enduring Fight Against Parole

The most recent public discourse surrounding Michael and Suzan Carson revolves around their attempts to be released from prison. The California Board of Prison Terms has repeatedly denied their requests, citing their lack of insight, continued extremist beliefs, and the heinous nature of their crimes.

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Michael Carson's 2020 Parole Denial

Michael 'Bear' Carson, who was 69 at the time, was denied parole on May 27, 2020. The Sonoma County District Attorney’s office strongly opposed his release. Key factors in the denial included his history of violence, his lack of remorse, and the fact that he continued to express his bizarre, cult-like beliefs, demonstrating he was still a danger to the public. The next parole hearing for Michael Carson is scheduled for a later date, but the 2020 decision reinforced the state's commitment to keeping him incarcerated.

Suzan Carson's Continued Incarceration

Suzan Carson, who was 83 at the time of her second parole eligibility hearing, was also denied parole. Like her husband, Suzan's release was opposed due to the severity of the serial murders and her demonstrated lack of responsibility for the crimes. The authorities noted that she remained a threat due to her continued connection to the apocalyptic ideology that fueled their killing spree decades earlier. She will remain incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility.

The Impact of the Carsons' Daughter, Jenn Carson

A crucial and deeply personal element of the ongoing case is the public involvement of Michael Carson's daughter, Jenn Carson. Her decision to speak out against her father’s potential release has been a powerful force in the conversation surrounding the "Witch Killers."

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• Public Advocacy: Jenn Carson has actively campaigned against her father's parole, arguing that he remains a danger to society.
• Fear of Recidivism: She has stated publicly that if her father were to be released, "Someone else will die," underscoring the belief that his extremist delusions have not diminished.
• Victim's Perspective: Her testimony provides a unique and compelling perspective, showing the intergenerational trauma caused by the serial killer's actions. Her efforts have helped keep the focus on the victims and the need for justice.

The Apocalyptic Cult and Shared Delusion

What truly sets the Michael and Suzan Carson case apart from other serial killings is the bizarre, shared cult-like delusion that served as their primary motive. Their ideology was a mix of apocalyptic Christianity, witchcraft, and self-proclaimed prophethood.

Michael Carson, who adopted the persona of a prophet, believed he had been given a divine mission to eliminate "witches" who were preventing him from communicating with God. Suzan, who often referred to herself as Michael's "witch," fully embraced this shared fantasy. The couple's journey from drug use and counter-culture living to a violent, cross-country killing spree was driven by this powerful, destructive synergy. They saw themselves not as murderers, but as agents of a necessary, apocalyptic cleansing. This complete lack of grounding in reality is the primary reason the parole board continues to deem them unsuitable for release, recognizing that their fundamental, dangerous ideology has never been fully renounced.

The Carsons’ story serves as a stark reminder of how shared delusion can spiral into devastating violence. The ongoing parole denials ensure that the "San Francisco Witch Killers" remain confined, a permanent fixture in the dark annals of true crime.