Manson May Have Left Entire Estate to Pen Pal

But there's some confusion over killer's will
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 25, 2017 5:30 AM CST
Manson May Have Left Entire Estate to Pen Pal
This Oct. 8, 2014 photo provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Charles Manson.   (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via AP, File)

Charles Manson reportedly disinherited his known children, ex-wives, in-laws, attorneys, friends, fellow inmates, police officers, guards, and the State of California—so who did he leave his estate to? According to TMZ, a pen pal. The man, who doesn't want his name used, tells the gossip site he had been exchanging letters and phone calls, and sometimes even visiting, with Manson, who died last weekend, for two decades. (He wrote more than 50 letters without reply before Manson responded, he says.) He gave TMZ a copy of a typed will dated 2002 that also includes handwriting, and the site offers up a comparison of that handwriting to Manson's known writing, calling the two "very similar."

The document leaves Manson's entire estate—personal belongings, cash, image rights, clothing, and Manson's "exclusive music catalog"—to the pen pal. TMZ explains that Manson wrote songs, including one that was recorded by the Beach Boys, and theorizes the estate "may actually be valuable." The will also says Manson's body should be released to the pen pal, and the anonymous man says he does plan to claim the body. But a friend of Manson's tells the New York Daily News he has a will dated 2017 that names Matthew Roberts, who claims to be Manson's son, as the main beneficiary of Manson's estate. Manson's grandson is also interested in claiming the killer's remains, though he's having a tough time. (More Charles Manson stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X