Date and Place of Death
Charles Manson died in prison on November 19, 2017, at the age of 83. He passed away at Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, California, where he had been transferred after spending decades at other state prisons. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed the death and stated it was due to natural causes, with no foul play suspected at the time. The official death certificate and prison records list November 19, 2017, as the exact date his death was recorded by facility staff.
Manson had been incarcerated since 1969 following his conviction for the Tate-LaBianca murders in Los Angeles County. He spent the final years of his life in a California state prison system facility, where he was held under strict administrative segregation. The facility where he died is part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation network, which oversees all state prisons and publishes regular reports on inmate deaths and conditions.
Cause of Death and Official Confirmation
Natural Causes and Medical Details
Officials determined that Charles Manson died of natural causes, with multiple organ failure reported as the primary cause. He had been in declining health for years, and prison medical staff had been monitoring his condition closely in the months before his death. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office conducted the official autopsy, which confirmed that his death was not related to any external injury or foul play.
Prison authorities stated that Manson was found unresponsive in his cell and that emergency medical personnel attempted resuscitation without success. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation issued a standard death notification to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which oversees death investigations in custody. The case was closed quickly, with no further legal action required because his death occurred while he was already serving a life sentence.
Burial, Legacy, and Public Record
Final Disposition and Public Documentation
Charles Manson's remains were handled according to California state protocols for deceased inmates. His body was released to a funeral service, and his burial arrangements were carried out privately, with no public ceremony or memorial held by the state. The death became part of the permanent public record, with court documents, prison logs, and media reports confirming the circumstances and date.
His death marked the end of one of the most notorious criminal cases in American history, with his name still widely referenced in true crime research and legal discussions. Official records from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department remain the primary sources for verified details about his death and incarceration. The case continues to be cited in studies of criminal behavior and prison management, with data available through state correctional archives and public records requests.