California’s longest-serving female inmate and Manson Family killer Patricia Krenwinkel may soon walk free after 54 years in prison, despite participating in one of America’s most notorious murder sprees that claimed seven lives, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate.
Key Takeaways
- Patricia Krenwinkel, 77, has been recommended for parole after serving 54 years for her role in the brutal 1969 Manson Family murders
- A California parole panel determined Krenwinkel poses little risk of reoffending, citing her advanced age and perfect prison behavior record
- Governor Gavin Newsom, who previously blocked her release in 2022, will have final authority to approve or deny the parole recommendation
- Victims’ family members remain firmly opposed to Krenwinkel’s release, arguing she has never directly apologized for her crimes
- Krenwinkel is one of only two remaining imprisoned Manson followers, alongside Charles “Tex” Watson
Decades of Imprisonment and Latest Parole Recommendation
Patricia Krenwinkel, now a 77-year-old gray-haired woman, bears little resemblance to the 21-year-old who carved the word “WAR” into a victim’s abdomen during the infamous Manson Family killing spree of 1969. A California parole panel has now deemed her suitable for release, marking her 16th parole hearing and second recommendation for freedom. The decision represents a significant development for the longest-serving female inmate in California’s prison system, whose horrific crimes have kept her behind bars for over five decades despite the death penalty being ruled unconstitutional in 1972.
The parole board’s legal division will now review this provisional decision over the next four months. If approved by the full parole board, the recommendation will advance to Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously demonstrated a tough stance on releasing Manson Family members. In 2022, Newsom rejected a similar recommendation for Krenwinkel’s release, citing her “significant role in the cult and the violence it inflicted.” The liberal governor now faces mounting pressure from both victims’ advocates demanding continued incarceration and legal precedents suggesting rehabilitation must be considered after such lengthy imprisonment.
Brutal Crimes That Shocked the Nation
Krenwinkel’s crimes remain among the most shocking in American criminal history. After meeting Charles Manson at age 19, she fell under his manipulative influence and became a devoted follower in his cult. On August 9, 1969, Krenwinkel participated in the brutal murders at actress Sharon Tate’s home, where the pregnant wife of director Roman Polanski and four others were slaughtered. The following night, Krenwinkel directly participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, personally stabbing Mrs. LaBianca 16 times and writing “DEATH TO PIGS” on the wall in the victims’ blood.
“[I’m] just haunted each and every day by the unending suffering my participation in murders caused. I’m so ashamed of my actions … I am ever aware that the victims who perished had so much life yet to live,” said Patricia Krenwinkel
The sadistic nature of these killings, combined with the cult’s bizarre apocalyptic motivations to trigger a race war they called “Helter Skelter,” created a permanent scar on American culture. During her trial, Krenwinkel and other cult members showed unwavering loyalty to Manson, laughing during testimony and carving X’s into their foreheads. It was only years later that Krenwinkel began distancing herself from Manson, who died in prison in 2017 at age 83 while serving his own life sentence.
Victims’ Families Oppose Release
Sharon Tate’s sister, Debra Tate, has remained a vocal opponent of releasing any Manson Family members, including Krenwinkel. Her persistent advocacy represents the enduring trauma suffered by victims’ families, who must repeatedly relive these horrors with each parole hearing. Despite Krenwinkel’s expressions of remorse in recent years, Tate argues that these convicted killers have never directly apologized to the families they devastated, adding another layer of pain to their ongoing suffering.
“They could have an opportunity to actually sit down face-to-face and say they’re sorry, but they won’t do it. When you refuse to talk and your victims’ families are asking for it over and over again, isn’t that yet another kind of torture?” said Debra Tate
The parole panel’s recommendation comes amidst changing legal tides regarding long-term imprisonment in California. In 2023, a state appeals court overturned Governor Newsom’s decision to block the release of another Manson Family member, Leslie Van Houten, who was subsequently paroled. This precedent may influence the handling of Krenwinkel’s case, as courts increasingly recognize that decisions must balance punishment with consideration of rehabilitation, especially for elderly inmates with minimal risk of reoffending.
Governor’s Decision and Future Implications
Governor Newsom’s pending decision on Krenwinkel’s parole will represent more than just the fate of one elderly prisoner. It will send a signal about how our justice system balances punishment, rehabilitation, and the enduring trauma of victims’ families. Conservative values emphasize personal responsibility and appropriate consequences for heinous crimes, yet also recognize that justice systems must function according to established laws rather than emotion alone. The political implications are significant for Newsom, who must weigh these competing concerns while facing scrutiny from all sides.
The Manson murders have maintained their grip on American consciousness for over five decades, representing a dark moment when the counterculture movement’s excesses turned deadly. As one by one the perpetrators die in prison or potentially gain release, Americans must confront difficult questions about redemption, punishment, and whether some crimes are simply too horrific to ever warrant freedom – regardless of the passage of time or claims of rehabilitation.
