The San Francisco Witch Killers: Where Are Michael And Suzan Carson Now After Repeated Parole Denials?

The notorious case of Michael and Suzan Carson, a couple infamously dubbed the "San Francisco Witch Killers," continues to draw public scrutiny, particularly as they repeatedly face the California parole board. As of December 11, 2025, both Michael and Suzan remain incarcerated, serving life sentences for a string of bizarre and brutal murders that terrorized Northern California in the early 1980s. Their ongoing attempts at parole, which have been consistently denied, serve as a fresh reminder of the chilling, cult-like delusion that fueled their rampage.

The latest updates confirm that prison officials are still grappling with the question of their potential release, an issue complicated by their lack of remorse and the deeply disturbing nature of their crimes. The couple claimed their victims were "witches" or "demons," a delusion rooted in drug use and a shared apocalyptic worldview, solidifying their place among America's most bizarre serial killer duos.

Michael and Suzan Carson: Complete Biographical Profile

Michael and Suzan Carson are a pair of American serial killers who operated under a shared, apocalyptic, and drug-induced delusion that they were divinely ordained to rid the world of "witches." Their lives before their criminal partnership were marked by instability and radicalization.

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• Michael Bear Carson (Born: James Clifford Carson):
• Aliases: Michael Bear Carson, Michael Carson, James Clifford Carson.
• Birth Date: 1950 (Approximate).
• Early Life: A former baker and carpenter with a history of drug use. He was married before Suzan, with whom he had a daughter, Jenn Carson.
• Radicalization: Claimed to have experienced an LSD-fueled hallucination in which he was designated a prophet, leading to his belief that he was on a mission to kill "witches."
• Suzan Barnes Carson (Born: Susan Barnes):
• Aliases: Suzan Carson, Suzan Barnes, Suzanne Barnes Carson.
• Birth Date: 1942 (Approximate, making her 83 as of a recent parole hearing).
• Early Life: A former waitress. She met Michael in the late 1970s and quickly adopted his radical beliefs, becoming an active and enthusiastic participant in the murders.
• Role in Crimes: She was often the one to identify the victims as "witches" or "demons," giving the couple's killing spree its infamous moniker.

The Reign of Terror: From Cult Delusion to Serial Murder

The Carsons' descent into murder began after they married and moved to a secluded farm in Northern California. Their shared belief system, fueled by heavy marijuana and LSD use, evolved into a murderous mandate. Michael claimed to be a prophet with 17 different personalities, and Suzan believed they were on a divine mission to eliminate evil in the form of "witches."

The "San Francisco Witch Killers" Victims

While the couple confessed to 10 murders, they were only convicted for three, which took place between 1981 and 1983. The victims were often people they knew or encountered while hitchhiking or traveling across California.

• Killed in 1981 (The First Victim):
• Victim: Jon Hellyar, a fellow commune member and friend of Michael's.
• Location: Humboldt County, California.
• Motive: Suzan deemed Hellyar a "witch," leading Michael to shoot him and burn his body in a wood stove.
• Killed in 1982 (The Second Victim):
• Victim: Clark Stephens, a hitchhiker.
• Location: Sonoma County, California.
• Motive: The Carsons shot Stephens and left his body in a remote area near a barn.
• Killed in 1983 (The Final Victim):
• Victim: Karyn Barnes, a former roommate of Suzan's.
• Location: San Francisco, California.
• Motive: The couple shot Barnes multiple times in the head at their apartment. This murder ultimately led to their capture after a traffic stop in Redding, California, where the police found a large arsenal of weapons.

The sheer randomness and the chilling religious/occult justification for the violence earned them the terrifying "San Francisco Witch Killers" title from the media. The couple's lack of remorse and their continued belief in their "prophetic" status throughout their trial shocked the nation and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Parole Denials and Current Incarceration Status (2025 Update)

The most pressing and current aspect of the Carsons' case revolves around their parole eligibility. Both Michael and Suzan Carson have been continually denied parole, with the most recent hearings emphasizing their ongoing risk to the public and their failure to accept full responsibility for the murders.

Suzan Carson, who is now in her 80s, has faced the parole board multiple times. At her second parole eligibility hearing, she was again denied release. The board cited the heinous nature of her crimes and her continued inability to demonstrate adequate insight into the factors that led to the murders. Her advanced age and decades of incarceration have not swayed the board, which remains focused on public safety and the severity of the serial killings.

Michael Bear Carson, also known as James Clifford Carson, has likewise been denied freedom. His attempts at parole have been met with strong opposition, not only from prosecutors and law enforcement but also from his own family. His daughter, Jenn Carson, has become a vocal mental health advocate and has publicly pleaded with the parole board to keep her father incarcerated, arguing that his release would pose an immediate danger to the public.

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The Key Reasons for Continued Incarceration

The Board of Parole Hearings has consistently cited several factors in denying the Carsons' release:

• Lack of Insight: Neither Michael nor Suzan has fully renounced their apocalyptic, cult-like beliefs or demonstrated a genuine, deep-seated remorse for the victims.
• Danger to Society: The crimes were committed with extreme violence, cruelty, and a complete disregard for human life, suggesting they still pose an unreasonable risk if released.
• Opposition: Strong opposition from the victims' families, the District Attorney's office, and even Michael Carson's own daughter.

The pair are currently serving their sentences in separate California correctional facilities. Michael Bear Carson is housed in a state prison, while Suzan Carson is incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Chino, California. Their continued incarceration, confirmed by recent decisions, ensures that the "San Francisco Witch Killers" will remain behind bars for the foreseeable future, a stark reminder of the bizarre and terrifying chapter they wrote in California's criminal history.