Former “Manson Family” criminal gang member Linda Kasabian passed away at the age of 73. Her body was later cremated when she passed away on January 21 at a hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Her death’s precise cause has not been made public.
After quitting the cult, Kasabian allegedly changed her last name to “Chiochios” to hide her identity. She was a key witness for the prosecution during Charles Manson’s trial in 1970–1971 and gave testimony on the seven killings that took place in Los Angeles, California, in August 1969.
Throughout her 18-day testimony, Kasabian detailed how she and other Manson’s followers broke into the residence of Roman Polanski, the husband of actress Sharon Tate, and brutally murdered five people, including Tate and her unborn child.
Although Kasabian denied being a part of that specific attack, she acknowledged being the driver the night after Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were killed.
Manson and his associates were all convicted of murder and given life sentences as a result of Kasabian’s testimony. Manson passed away in 2017 while still incarcerated.
How did Linda Kasabian leave the Manson family?
After the Tate-LaBianca killings in August 1969, Linda Kasabian separated from the Manson household. Kasabian and two other members, Susan Atkins, and Patricia Krenwinkel were under Manson’s orders to travel to Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski’s home and murder everyone there. Kasabian was there, although she didn’t take part in the killings.
Following the murders, Manson left Kasabian, Susan Atkins, and Leslie Van Houten at an apartment building in Venice Beach. The three were given orders to murder an actress Kasabian had once known, but they failed to complete the mission.
At this point, Kasabian made the decision to leave the Manson family and run away to New Hampshire, where she was later discovered and apprehended by law enforcement.