Early Life and Education of Patricia Krenwinkel: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Patricia Krenwinkel. From birth to education, explore key events.

Patricia Krenwinkel is an American convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family. She was involved in the infamous August 9, 1969, murders at 10050 Cielo Drive, where Sharon Tate and others were killed. Known by aliases like Big Patty and Katie within the Family, Krenwinkel's participation in these crimes cemented her place in true crime history as a key figure in the Manson Family's violent actions.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Legacy & Impact

December 3, 1947: Patricia Krenwinkel's birth

On December 3, 1947, Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel was born. She later became a convicted murderer and a member of the Manson Family.

Others born on this day/year

1967: Meeting Charles Manson

In 1967, Patricia Krenwinkel met Charles Manson in Manhattan Beach, California. She had sex with him the first night and decided to go to San Francisco with him, leaving behind her apartment, car, and paycheck.

August 1968: Living at Spahn Ranch

In August 1968, Patricia Krenwinkel and the Manson Family persuaded George Spahn to allow them to live on his property, Spahn Ranch, located in the hills above the San Fernando Valley.

1968: Encounter with Dennis Wilson

In the summer of 1968, Patricia Krenwinkel and Ella Bailey were picked up hitchhiking by Dennis Wilson, a founding member of the Beach Boys. They were invited to his home, where the Manson Family then stayed for several months, causing financial problems for Wilson.

August 8, 1969: Tate Murders

On August 8, 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel, along with Tex Watson and Susan Atkins, murdered Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent at Sharon Tate's home in Los Angeles.

August 9, 1969: Murder of Sharon Tate and others

On August 9, 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel participated in the murders at the home of Sharon Tate, stabbing Abigail Folger multiple times. She was quoted as saying, "I stabbed her and I kept stabbing her."

August 10, 1969: LaBianca Murders

On August 10, 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca along with Manson, Watson, Atkins, Grogan, Van Houten and Kasabian.

August 16, 1969: Arrest at Spahn Ranch

On August 16, 1969, one week after the Tate-LaBianca murders, Patricia Krenwinkel, Charles Manson, and other Manson Family members were arrested on suspicion of auto theft during a raid on Spahn Ranch.

October 10, 1969: Second arrest and release

On October 10, 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel and other members of the Manson Family were arrested again. Her father bailed her out of jail, but she returned to Barker Ranch.

December 1, 1969: Arrest in Alabama

On December 1, 1969, Patricia Krenwinkel was arrested near her aunt's home in Mobile, Alabama, following Susan Atkins' confessions about the Tate-LaBianca murders.

February 1970: Extradition to California

In February 1970, Patricia Krenwinkel waived extradition proceedings and voluntarily returned to California to stand trial with Manson, Van Houten, and Atkins.

March 29, 1971: Conviction and sentencing

On March 29, 1971, after a nine-month trial, Patricia Krenwinkel was convicted of all counts and sentenced to death. She was then transferred to the California Institution for Women.

April 1971: Admitted to prison

Patricia Krenwinkel was admitted to prison in April 1971 and has been continuously incarcerated for more than 50 years.

April 28, 1971: Arrival on Death Row

On April 28, 1971, Patricia Krenwinkel arrived on California's death row, having received a death sentence for seven counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

1972: Death sentence commuted

In 1972, Patricia Krenwinkel's death sentence was automatically commuted to life in prison following the California Supreme Court's People v. Anderson decision, which invalidated all death sentences in California prior to that year.

July 17, 1978: Initial parole consideration hearing

Patricia Krenwinkel's initial parole consideration hearing was held on July 17, 1978.

1994: Interview with Diane Sawyer

In a 1994 interview conducted by Diane Sawyer, Patricia Krenwinkel stated that she wakes up every day knowing that she is a destroyer of life and expressed remorse for killing Abigail Folger.

2004: Parole hearing statement

During a parole hearing in 2004, Patricia Krenwinkel stated that she would place herself at the top of the list of people she had harmed.

2009: Longest-incarcerated female inmate

Following the 2009 death of fellow Manson cult member Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel became the longest-incarcerated female inmate in the California penal system.

2009: Death of Susan Atkins

In 2009, following the death of fellow Manson cult member Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel became the longest-incarcerated female inmate in the California penal system.

January 2011: Parole denial

At her January 2011 parole hearing, Patricia Krenwinkel, then 63 years old, was denied parole and would not be eligible again for seven years due to the memory of the crimes and letters urging her continued incarceration.

December 29, 2016: Parole hearing recount of events

During her parole hearing on December 29, 2016, Patricia Krenwinkel recounted the events of the night of August 10, 1969.

June 22, 2017: Parole denial for the fourteenth time

On June 22, 2017, Patricia Krenwinkel, aged 69, was denied parole for the fourteenth time, following a postponement in December 2016 to investigate the defense claim that she suffered from battered woman syndrome.

May 26, 2022: Parole granted

On May 26, 2022, Patricia Krenwinkel was granted parole by the board.

October 14, 2022: Parole decision reversed

On October 14, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom reversed the decision to grant Patricia Krenwinkel parole, citing the continued threat she would pose to society if released.