Charles Manson’s Kids: What Happened to His Children & Where Are They Now?

Disclaimer: The article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.

Charles Manson was one of the most notorious serial killers in US history. His crimes came to light in December 1969 when the authorities charged him and his followers for the brutal killings of actress Sharon Tate and her friends. The court found Manson and his followers guilty and given the death penalty. However, in 1972, the state of California abolished the death penalty, and all their sentences were changed to life imprisonment. His crimes and reputation have since made people curious about his personal life and if he had any kids.

According to several reports, Charles Manson married twice and shared one child each with his wives. Per Men’s Health, Manson married his first wife, Rosalie Jean Willis, in 1955. The following year, the duo welcomed their son Charles Manson Jr. in 1956. The outlet mentioned that the cult leader was in prison during the birth of Manson Jr. However, two years after his birth, the couple divorced. Then, in 1959, the criminal married Leona Ray “Candy” Steven, and together they had a son named Charles Luther Manson. However, it was also reported that Manson had a third child as well, but it wasn’t with any of his wives.

Men’s Health mentioned that Charles Manson had his third child, Valentine Michael Manson, with one of the members of the Manson Family, Mary Brunner.

Where are Charles Manson’s Kids now?

According to Newsweek, Manson’s first wife, Rosalie Jean Willis, remarried, and Charles Manson Jr. changed his name. The publication reported that he struggled with his connection to the serial killer and killed himself in 1993. Citing the death certificate, Manson’s first child died because of a “self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.” Meanwhile, information about Manson’s second child, Charles Luther Manson, remains scarce. Per International Business Times, Luther Manson changed his name to Jay Charles Warner.

Valentine Michael Manson is the only child who has talked about himself and Manson openly. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he claimed that his father never ordered the killings of Sharon Tate and her friends. He said, “I don’t believe that he did. I believe that it was something manufactured after the fact. This ‘Helter Skelter’ thing, when you look into it deeply, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.” During the interview, the son also revealed that he received a postcard from Manson and wanted to write back. However, it was too late.

Charles Manson died in a hospital in Kern County. He was 83.