Cult leader Manson dead

Los Angeles – Charles Manson, the psychopathic guru who masterminded a savage killing spree in the United States that shocked the world, has died aged 83, California prison officials said.

Manson, pictured, “died of natural causes at 8.13pm local time yesterday (on Sunday)” at a hospital in Kern County, the California department of corrections and rehabilitation said in a brief statement.

Debra Tate – the sister of Manson’s most famous victim, Sharon Tate – told celebrity website TMZ that she received a call from prison officials notifying her of Manson’s death.

In the late ’60s, Manson headed an apocalyptic cult that committed random murders in upscale, mostly white, neighbourhoods of Los Angeles – unleashing a wave of panic in the city and beyond.

The aim was for African Americans to be blamed, in the hope of sparking what he believed to be an impending race war.

His “Family” disciples committed at least nine murders, but it was the horrific killing spree of seven people on August 9-10, 1969 that sealed his notoriety – and earned him life in prison.

The famous victim was 26-yearold movie actress Sharon Tate, the heavily pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski, who pleaded for the life of her unborn child before she was stabbed to death.

Manson was not present, but ordered the killings.

One of his followers, Susan Atkins, carried out Tate’s murder, after which she tasted the actress’ blood and wrote “PIG” with it on the home’s front door.

Manson, who has never shown remorse, was sentenced to death in 1971, along with four of his disciples for having led the killings of seven people.

The sentences were later commuted to life in prison.

During his marathon trial, Manson – with a beard, long unwashed hair, and a swastika tattooed on his forehead – was portrayed as a drug-crazed loner with mesmerising powers of persuasion.