Netflix's new true crime series, Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes, has landed on the platform, reigniting curiosity about the cult leader's fate. The three-part series, which began streaming on August 12, is the final season of filmmaker Joe Berlinger's Conversations with a Killer series for Netflix.
The documentary features never-before-heard audio tapes of Manson discussing his crimes. It shows how the notorious cult member and musician built his following, known as The Family, and encouraged them to commit heinous murders at his behest during the 1960s. Manson was convicted for orchestrating a series of murders, including the brutal killing of actress Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, along with others.
Manson's death and conviction
Manson died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 83, while serving out his sentence at Corcoran Prison, California. He was handed the death sentence in 1971 for first-degree murder, but this was commuted to life imprisonment a year later when California banned the death penalty. He died of natural causes but was reportedly “seriously ill” and was taken to hospital for “gastrointestinal bleeding related to his colon”, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Following Manson's death, Debra Tate, the sister of murder victim Sharon Tate, told NBC: “One could say I've forgiven them, which is quite different from forgetting what they are capable of. It is for this reason I fight so hard to make sure that each of these individuals stays in prison until the end of their natural days.”
Fate of other Family members
Manson wasn't the only one incarcerated for the cult's crimes. Family member Susan Atkins was serving a life sentence and died behind bars in 2009. Patricia Krenwinkel and Charles 'Tex' Watson were both convicted on seven counts of first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy to commit murder in the Tate-LaBianca killings. They remain in prison and are serving out life sentences.
Leslie Van Houten was given a life sentence after she was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the LaBianca murders, but was released on parole in 2023 after serving over 52 years in prison. Meanwhile, Steve 'Clem' Grogan was originally given a life sentence but was then released in 1985. Grogan served 14 years in prison for the murder of Donald 'Shorty' Shea, who was killed on Manson's compound Spahn Ranch. Grogan was released on parole after he showed authorities where Shea was buried, reported the Los Angeles Times.
Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes is streaming on Netflix now.
