The Issue Of Who Gets Charles Manson’s Remains Finally Decided

NPR reported in the article “Charles Manson Grandson Wins Legal Battle Over Cult Leader’s Body” that Jason Freeman, Charles Manson’s purported grandson, whose grandmother was Manson’s first wife, was one of several people who was attempting to gain control of the notorious criminal’s body, since he died in November.

Manson was serving a life sentence for coordinating the notorious “Helter Skelter” killing spree in Los Angeles in 1969. Since his death late last year, his body has been on ice at California’s Kern County Coroner’s Office, while the legal battle ensued. Manson’s cult viciously murdered seven people over the course of two nights in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate, who was pregnant at the time of her death.

Freeman has not stated his intentions for disposing of the body, according to The Associated Press, but he has “previously said he would cremate and spread the ashes of Manson and put to rest ‘this so-called monster, this historical figure that shouldn’t have been blown up as big as it was for all these years.'”

Kern County Superior Court Commissioner Alisa Knight stated in her ruling that Freeman is Manson’s “surviving competent adult next of kin,” which means that he will get to decide what happens to the remains.

A man named Michael Channels submitted a purported 2002 Manson will, according to court documents.

The media has reported that Channels claimed to be a pen pal of Manson’s, who collected and sold Manson memorabilia.

The purported will left all of Manson’s estate to Channels, and the probate court found some aspects of it require further proof, including the fact that he was also one of the witnesses to the will.

A purported son of Manson, Michael Brunner, objected to Freeman’s claim. However, Brunner later admitted that he was legally adopted by his grandparents, the court ruling states. That disqualifies his claim, the court said.

Freeman’s attorney said that he expects Manson’s ashes to be spread over a body of water.

“From a logical standpoint, there’s a great benefit to a public scattering of his ashes, not just for finality for his relatives, but to everyone affected by Mr. Manson,” Kiken said, according to the wire service.

Reference: NPR (March 13, 2018) “Charles Manson Grandson Wins Legal Battle Over Cult Leader’s Body”

Kyle Robbins

Kyle Robbins is the founder and sole owner of The Law
Offices of Kyle Robbins. He received his J.D. with honors from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.S. in Food Chemistry and Microbiology from Oklahoma State University.

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