The Manson Family forced America to confront a new and deeply disturbing chapter in its cultural history. Led by Charles Manson, the group followed his apocalyptic vision and carried out a series of brutal acts in 1969, including the high-profile killings of actress Sharon Tate and several others. These events shocked the nation and came to symbolize the dark end of the 1960s counterculture.
While the bloodshed ended that year, the story didn’t. Many of Manson’s followers either served long sentences, were eventually released, or disappeared from view. What happened to them shows how deeply their choices reshaped their lives—and how that story still lingers.
Charles Manson
Prison walls never softened Charles Manson’s persona. He rejected rehabilitation and continued to manipulate the spotlight with ease. Over the decades, his notoriety only grew, with interviews and fan mail feeding his image. In 2017, he passed away from heart failure at age 83.
Tex Watson
Tex Watson was at the center of both key nights and carried out Manson’s orders with mechanical brutality. In the time that followed, he adopted religion, formed a prison ministry, and issued public apologies. Despite these efforts, he’s been denied parole more than 17 times. Now in his seventies, Watson is still imprisoned.
Leslie Van Houten
After years of legal hurdles, Leslie Van Houten was granted parole in 2023. She was 19 when she took part in the LaBianca attacks. Though previous boards had supported her release, each approval has been blocked until now. She has been silent since walking free.
Susan Atkins
Susan Atkins spent her final moments confined to a hospital bed, paralyzed due to brain cancer. Despite her physical decline, every attempt at compassionate release was rejected. She had become infamous for her role in the Tate events, but went on to convert to Christianity and expressed remorse.
Patricia Krenwinkel
Patricia Krenwinkel participated in both the Tate and LaBianca incidents and left messages scrawled in the victims’ blood. She has since disavowed Manson by citing emotional coercion and long-term manipulation. Despite a clean record and extensive program involvement, she’s one of California’s longest-serving women.
Linda Kasabian
Linda Kasabian didn’t assault anyone, but she drove the car and acted as a lookout during the first night’s episodes. Her decision to testify was pivotal to convicting the rest of the group. In exchange for immunity, she gave graphic courtroom testimony, then vanished from public life.
Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme
Nearly six years after the tragedy, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme attempted to take out President Gerald Ford in a bizarre bid to protest Manson’s incarceration. The weapon misfired, but she was sentenced to life. During her 34 years locked up, she never renounced Manson. She later published a memoir and granted limited interviews.
Mary Brunner
One of Manson’s earliest recruits, Mary Brunner, was a part of Gary Hinman’s death and was arrested in a failed armed robbery. She gave birth to Manson’s child and remained loyal well into the group’s decline. She is one of the few members whose silence has endured longer than their public association with the family.
Bobby Beausoleil
Bobby Beausoleil took the life of musician Gary Hinman before the Tate-LaBianca affairs began. He staged the crime scene to incite racial panic, which would have aligned with Manson’s warped ideology. Behind bars, he created music and art in an attempt to reflect personal change. His creative pursuits haven’t been enough to eclipse the calculated nature of his first act of violence for the cult.
Paul Watkins
If anyone made a wise decision, it was Paul Watkins, who saw where things were heading and walked away before the developments. Afterwards, he testified for the prosecution and helped demystify Manson’s ideology. Rather than becoming a recluse, he became one of the few to speak out about cult control.
Catherine Share
Once she got out of prison, Catherine Share gradually distanced herself from the group and began reflecting on her past. Her interviews touched on indoctrination and psychological influence. Though less prominent than others, her insights contributed to a better understanding of Manson’s manipulation.
Steve “Clem” Grogan
Originally sentenced to passing, Steve “Clem” Grogan was eventually found to have limited intellectual capacity and was resentenced to life. He cooperated with police and helped locate Shea’s body, which influenced his parole in 1985. Since then, Grogan has maintained a low profile and stayed out of legal trouble.
Kitty Lutesinger
Kitty Lutesinger’s relationship with Beausoleil and time spent at Spahn Ranch positioned her as a useful witness. When questioned, she offered information that helped police link the Hinman episode to the rest of the group. Though never charged herself, she distanced herself from the family and disappeared from view.
Dianne Lake
Dianne Lake was just 14 when she joined the Manson family. Her adult life included therapy and recovery, which culminated in a memoir that detailed her experience. Her story stands apart for surviving ages of control and finding a path to healing and truth.
Ruth Ann Moorehouse
Ruth Ann Moorehouse was involved in several incidents tied to the family, including attempts to intimidate witnesses. Though she avoided major charges, her presence in the group’s violent orbit is well documented. Her name occasionally appears in legal archives, but her post-Manson life is nearly invisible.