Age and current status overview
Charles Manson was born on November 12, 1934, and died on November 19, 2017, at age 83 while serving multiple life sentences at Corcoran State Prison in California. This status clari fies his age at key legal milestones, confirms dates of incarceration, and summarizes the officially recorded health conditions that affected his later years in custody.
Documented health conditions and medical care in prison
During his imprisonment, Manson was treated for a range of chronic conditions, including gastrointestinal issues, bacterial infections, and a progressively worsening respiratory condition. Prison medical records note declining cardiovascular health and hospital transfers starting in 2015, followed by increasing periods of confinement in a medical unit toward the end of his life. While he occasionally refused medication or treatment, staff monitored pain management and infection control under California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) protocols.
Key dates and legal milestones
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| November 12, 1934 | Birth | Establishes age at all subsequent legal and medical records |
| August 9, 1969 | Manson Family murders | Central events leading to trial and life sentences |
| 1971 | Conviction and sentencing | Formal life imprisonment without possibility of parole |
| 2012 | Parole denials | Multiple hearings affirming life sentence; no release eligibility |
| 2015 | First notable hospitalizations | Marked documented decline in health requiring prison medical transfers |
| November 19, 2017 | Death in custody | End of incarceration at age 83; closed legal and medical record |
Incarceration timeline and custody locations
Following conviction, Manson was held at multiple secure facilities while serving his sentences. He spent the majority of his incarceration at California Correctional Institution and Corcoran State Prison, with later years in a specialized medical unit as his conditions deteriorated. Transfers between facilities were managed by CDCR to meet medical, security, and logistical needs, and each move was recorded in institutional files and court filings.
Security classification and custody levels
- Initial reception: Maximum custody at Los Angeles County Jail after arraignment (1969).
- Long-term sentence facility: California Correctional Institution, medium-to-high custody (1970s).
- End-of-life care: Corcoran State Prison medical unit, with heightened observation and restricted movement (2015–2017).
Public records and official information sources
Details on Manson’s age, health, and custody status are drawn from CDCR inmate records, court documents, and medical summaries filed during his imprisonment. These sources are routinely referenced in crime histories, legal archives, and institutional reports, and they provide consistent, verifiable data rather than speculative commentary. When dates or conditions appear inconsistent across unofficial accounts, the official filings serve as the authoritative reference.
Clarifying common misreporting about age and health
Some narratives conflate Manson’s age at the time of the murders with later years or exaggerate the immediacy of reported health crises. Official timelines distinguish between conviction events, parole hearings, and medical updates, avoiding sensational framing. Understanding how age, sentence structure, and documented illness interact helps separate factual records from rumor or dramatization, ensuring clarity about a complex but historically documented case.
Key facts at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | November 12, 1934 | Prison and court records |
| Date of death | November 19, 2017 | CDCR inmate death report |
| Age at death | 83 years old | Official correctional records |
| Primary incarceration facility at end of life | Corcoran State Prison medical unit | CDCR custody logs |
| Parole eligibility | None; life sentence without possibility of parole | Court orders and CDCR policy |
| Notable health conditions documented | Respiratory infection, gastrointestinal issues, cardiovascular decline | Prison medical summaries and hospital transfer records |
Everlasting relevance and why this topic persists
Interest in Manson’s age and health endures because they intersect with broader questions about criminal justice, long-term incarceration, and how society manages high-profile offenders in old age. Reliable records on age, custody history, and medical care support informed discussion around sentencing policy, prison medical ethics, and the realities of life sentences, making accurate status reporting essential for researchers, journalists, and the public.
Summary and authoritative perspective
Charles Manson’s age is firmly established through birth and death records, and his health trajectory in custody is documented in prison medical reports. From conviction in 1971 to death in 2017, his status remained consistent: a life sentence without parole, managed within California’s correctional system. By relying on official timelines and verified medical data, this clarifies misinformation and offers a durable, factual account of his later years.