Charles Manson's Body Stays 'On Ice' And In Limbo

LOS ANGELES, CA — After rotting in jail for nearly 50 years, America's most infamous killer is being preserved as a confusing battle ensues for custody of his body. About a month after Charles Manson's death, the killer cult-leader's corpse remains in limbo in the custody of the Kern County sheriff-coroner's office while authorities work to determine his next of kin.

"His body is still here. He hasn't been cremated," coroner spokesman Sgt. Stephen Wells told the Daily News. "Basically, he's on ice."

Among those trying to acquire Manson's worldly possessions are a man who claims to be his son, two of his long-time pen pals and his grandson Jason Freeman, who is trying to obtain Manson's remains. Claims have been filed by people in Florida, California, Wisconsin and Illinois, according to authorities.

“We included everyone that we know about in our proof of service” for the court filing, Bryan Walters, a deputy attorney in the county counsel’s office told the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve had pen pals that claim they have written wills. It’s like a circus, and nothing is clear where we should hang our hat on.”

On Wednesday, the Kern County County Counsel's Office asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to provide them with "all matters for which special notice may be requested." The filing aims to keep officials updated on the probate proceedings surrounding the body, possessions and licenses of the late killer.

The probate case is scheduled to move forward in January.

Manson died Nov. 19 after suffering from heart failure when colon cancer spread to other parts of his body. He had spent nearly 50 years at the Corcoran prison in Kings County for the orchestrating the murders of nine people, including the pregnant actress Sharon Tate. His cult following continued to grow throughout his incarceration. One Manson Family member, Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, attempted to assassinate President Gerald Ford.

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Manson's longtime pen pal Michael Channels claims a will left by the killer gives him the right to all of Manson's possessions. Kern County officials have yet to determine Manson's closest living relative. Only those designated next of kin will decide what to do with his Manson's body.

"We've been in contact with somebody, but nothing has been established," Wells told the Daily News. "So we're still actively seeking the next of kin. Once that is established, they'll make the decision. The next of kin chooses the manner of disposition."

Manson was sentenced to death for his crimes, but in 1972 the Superior Court of California in the county of Los Angeles struck down the state's death penalty. Manson, along with all others who had been sentenced to death in California, was instead given life in prison.

The "Manson family" — as his group of followers was dubbed — lived together on Spahn's Ranch, an Old West movie set near Chatsworth. To outsider, the "family" appeared to be a hippie commune. Prosecutors, however, said it was a cult and that its members were controlled with drugs, violence and sexual abuse. Their grisly killings shocked the nation and were credited with bringing a bitter end to the free-love era.

A man who said he was Manson's estranged son came forward shortly after the killer's death, claiming to be the rightful heir to an estate he estimated to be worth millions. Matthew Roberts, 49, told the Daily Mail he never met his father, but he planned to sue various recording artists — such as Guns N' Roses and Marilyn Manson — for recording songs by the late killer.

In his book "Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders," Manson prosecutor Bugliosi gave his thoughts on the country's enduring fascination with Manson, writing, “Since we place so much value on human life, why do we glorify, in a perverse sort of way, the extinguishment of life? The answer to that question, whatever it is, is at least a partial answer to why people continue to be fascinated by Hitler, Jack the Ripper —Manson.”

Photo: Charles Manson is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy-murder charges in conneciton with the Sharon Tate murder case, 1969, Los Angeles, Calif. (AP Photo)