Susan Atkins, Manson follower, dies in prison
Susan Atkins, follower of the infamous Charles Manson, died in prison late Thursday evening. She was serving a life sentence for being part of one of the most notorious crimes in recent history. She was 61.
Atkins was convicted of eight murders, including that of actress Sharon Tate — the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski — who was stabbed 16 times and hanged; Tate’s nearly full-term fetus died with her. The following night, Atkins accompanied Manson in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.
In 2008, Atkins was diagnosed with brain cancer, however, she reportedly died of natural causes. Atkins made a number of pleas over the years for compassionate release but was repeatedly denied. Earlier this month, she was wheeled into her last parole hearing on a hospital gurney; she was denied by unanimous vote.
Born in California in 1948, Atkins grew up in San Jose. After her mother died and her father abandoned her, Atkins was left to care for herself and her younger brother. Unable to balance work, school, and caring for her brother, Atkins began drifting.
Atkins served more than 38 years at the California Institution for Women in Chino and was the longest-serving female prisoner currently held in California’s penitentiaries. Patricia Krenwinkel, who was convicted along with Atkins, has now been serving the longest.
[photo: AP]
Tags: Brain cancer, Charles Manson, Patricia Krenwinkel, Susan Atkins, Tate-LaBianca murders