Notorious cult leader Charles Manson dead at 83

Charles Manson, the demented cult leader who ordered seven people killed in August 1969 as part of a sadistic plot to start an apocalyptic race war, died Sunday night in California, according to a prison official.

He was 83. The cause of death was listed as natural causes.



Manson, who was surrounded by five uniformed cops, died at 8:13 p.m. local time.

Manson, one of the most notorious criminals in American history, was serving several life sentences at Corcoran State Prison when he fell ill. He was moved to the hospital for treatment.