Early Life and Education of Charles Manson: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Charles Manson, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Charles Manson was an American cult leader and criminal who led the Manson Family. In 1969, members of his cult committed at least nine murders across four locations, most notably the murder of actress Sharon Tate. Manson was convicted in 1971 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people. The prosecution argued successfully that his ideology instigated the murders even though he never directly ordered them. Manson and several other members of the "Manson Family" received life sentences for their crimes.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

November 12, 1934: Charles Manson's Birth

On November 12, 1934, Charles Milles Maddox (later Manson) was born to Ada Kathleen Maddox in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1937: Paternity Suit and Judgment

In 1937, Ada Kathleen Maddox filed a paternity suit against Colonel Walker Henderson Scott, Sr., resulting in an agreed judgment.

August 1, 1939: Arrest of Kathleen and Luther Maddox

On August 1, 1939, Kathleen and Luther Maddox were arrested for assault and robbery, and sentenced to five and ten years of imprisonment, respectively.

1942: Manson's Mother Paroled

In 1942, Charles Manson's mother, Ada Kathleen Maddox, was paroled from prison.

1947: Christmas at Aunt and Uncle's

During Christmas of 1947, Manson spent time with his aunt and uncle in West Virginia after fleeing home to his mother. He was later returned to Gibault.

1947: Placement in Gibault School for Boys

In 1947, at the age of 13, Charles Manson was placed in the Gibault School for Boys in Terre Haute, Indiana, a school for male delinquents run by Catholic priests.

1948: First Documented Crime

In 1948, Charles Manson committed his first documented crime by robbing a grocery store in Indianapolis.

1949: Placement in Boys Town and Subsequent Crimes

In 1949, a sympathetic judge sent Manson to Boys Town, a juvenile facility in Omaha, Nebraska. After four days, he and another student stole a gun and a car to commit two armed robberies.

February 1951: Escape from Indiana Boys School

In February 1951, Charles Manson escaped from the Indiana Boys School with two other boys and robbed filling stations while attempting to drive to California in stolen cars until they were arrested in Utah.

October 1951: Transfer to Natural Bridge Honor Camp

In October 1951, Charles Manson was transferred to Natural Bridge Honor Camp, a minimum security institution in Virginia, based on a psychiatrist's recommendation.

February 1952: Parole Hearing Scheduled

Charles Manson had a parole hearing scheduled for February 1952.

May 1954: Early Release from Reformatory

In May 1954, Charles Manson was granted an early release from the maximum security reformatory at Chillicothe, Ohio, due to good behavior.

November 1955: Expected Release Date

Charles Manson was expected to be released from the maximum security reformatory at Chillicothe, Ohio on his 21st birthday in November 1955, before being granted an early release.

March 1956: Arrest in Indianapolis

In March 1956, Charles Manson was arrested in Indianapolis for failing to appear at a Los Angeles hearing on an identical charge filed in Florida.

September 1958: Parole and Divorce

In September 1958, Charles Manson received parole from prison. In the same year, Rosalie received a decree of divorce.

September 1959: Guilty Plea and Marriage to Leona Stevens

In September 1959, Charles Manson pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to cash a forged U.S. Treasury check. He received a suspended sentence and probation after Leona Rae Stevens made a plea before the court and then married Manson.

April 1960: Indictment for Mann Act Violation

In April 1960, Charles Manson was indicted for violating the Mann Act after taking Leona and another woman to New Mexico for prostitution purposes.

July 1961: Transfer to McNeil Island

In July 1961, Charles Manson was transferred from the Los Angeles County Jail to the United States Penitentiary at McNeil Island, Washington.

September 1961: Annual Review at McNeil Island

In September 1961, Charles Manson's annual review noted he had a "tremendous drive to call attention to himself."

September 1964: Continued Observation

In September 1964, a review of Manson echoed the same observations from the 1961 review, stating Manson had a "tremendous drive to call attention to himself".

1965: Urban Legend Debunked

In late 1965, there is an urban legend that Manson auditioned unsuccessfully for The Monkees; however, he was still incarcerated at McNeil Island at the time.

June 1966: Transfer to Terminal Island

In June 1966, Charles Manson was sent for the second time to Terminal Island in preparation for early release.

March 21, 1967: Release from Prison

On March 21, 1967, Charles Manson was released from prison after spending more than half of his life in correctional institutions.

1967: Rape Claim by Manson Family Member

In 1967, a member of the Manson Family claimed that she was raped by Manson, leading to her pregnancy and eventual birth of Matthew Roberts on March 22, 1968. She left the family mid-1967 following the rape.

March 22, 1968: Birth of Matthew Roberts

On March 22, 1968, Matthew Roberts was born. His biological mother, a former member of the Manson Family, claimed Manson raped her in 1967, leading to the pregnancy. Roberts was put up for adoption.

1968: Manson and The Beatles' eponymous album

In 1968, Charles Manson often talked about The Beatles, including their eponymous album. Manson felt guided by his interpretation of the Beatles' lyrics and adopted the term "Helter Skelter" to describe an impending apocalyptic race war.

August 1969: Manson Family Murders

In August 1969, members of the Manson Family committed a series of at least nine murders at four locations in California.

1971: Manson's Conviction

In 1971, Charles Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people.

March 27, 1997: Manson Refuses to Attend Future Parole Hearings

After his March 27, 1997, parole hearing, Manson refused to attend any of his later hearings. The panel noted his controlling behavior and mental health issues, deeming him too dangerous to be released.

2009: Matthew Roberts Claims Manson as Father

In 2009, Los Angeles disc jockey Matthew Roberts released correspondence suggesting Charles Manson might be his father. Roberts' biological mother claimed Manson raped her in 1967 and she gave birth to Roberts in 1968. In 2009, Roberts claimed Manson as his biological father

2010: Manson Caught with Cell Phone

In 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported that in 2009, Manson was caught with a cell phone and had contacted people in California, New Jersey, Florida and British Columbia. It was unknown if Manson had used the phone for criminal purposes.

April 11, 2012: Manson Denied Parole for 15 Years

On April 11, 2012, Manson was denied release at his twelfth parole hearing, which he did not attend. It was determined that Manson would not be reconsidered for parole for another fifteen years, not before 2027.

2012: DNA Test Debunks Roberts' Claim

In 2012, CNN conducted a DNA test between Matthew Roberts and Jason Freeman, Manson's grandson, showing that Roberts and Freeman did not share DNA. Subsequently, Roberts' direct DNA test with Manson proved they were not related. This all happened in 2012.

2012: CNN Runs DNA Match on Freeman and Roberts

In 2012, CNN ran a DNA match to see if Freeman and Roberts were related to each other and found that they were not. Two prior attempts to DNA-match Roberts with genetic material from Manson failed, but the results were reportedly contaminated. These attempts were made in 2012.

2013: Manson Declares Bisexuality

In 2013, Manson stated that he was bisexual, explaining his views on sex and gender.

2014: Manson Engaged to Afton Elaine Burton

In 2014, Manson became engaged to 26-year-old Afton Elaine Burton, who he nicknamed "Star". They obtained a marriage license on November 7, 2014. Burton had been visiting him in prison for nine years and maintained websites proclaiming his innocence.

February 5, 2015: Manson's Marriage License Expires

On February 5, 2015, Manson's wedding license with Afton Elaine Burton expired without a marriage ceremony taking place, allegedly due to Manson's belief that Burton wanted to exploit his corpse.

January 1, 2017: Manson Hospitalized for Gastrointestinal Bleeding

On January 1, 2017, Manson, held at Corcoran Prison, was rushed to Mercy Hospital in Bakersfield due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Doctors considered him "too weak" for surgery. He was returned to prison on January 6.

November 15, 2017: Manson Returns to Hospital

On November 15, 2017, it was reported that Manson had returned to a hospital in Bakersfield, but the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not confirm this.

2027: Manson's Next Parole Hearing Scheduled

In 2027, Manson was scheduled for a parole hearing, though it was determined on April 11, 2012, that he would not be reconsidered for parole before this date.