History of Patricia Krenwinkel in Timeline
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.
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.
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.
1976: Helter Skelter film portrayal
In 1976, Patricia Krenwinkel was portrayed by Christina Hart in the made-for-TV film Helter Skelter.
July 17, 1978: Initial parole consideration hearing
Patricia Krenwinkel's initial parole consideration hearing was held on July 17, 1978.
1994: White Zombie samples Diane Sawyer interview
In 1994, Patricia Krenwinkel's interview with Diane Sawyer was sampled by White Zombie for the song "Real Solution #9".
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.
2003: The Manson Family film portrayal
In 2003, Patricia Krenwinkel was portrayed by Leslie Orr in the film The Manson Family.
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.
2004: Helter Skelter remake portrayal
In the 2004 remake of the film Helter Skelter, Patricia Krenwinkel was portrayed by Allison Smith.
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: Leslie, My Name Is Evil film portrayal
In 2009, Kaniehtiio Horn portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in the film Leslie, My Name Is Evil.
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.
2013: Manson Girls film portrayal
In 2013, Vanessa Zima portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in the film Manson Girls.
2014: House of Manson film portrayal
In 2014, Serena Lorien portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in the film House of Manson.
2015: Aquarius TV series portrayal
From 2015 to 2016, Madisen Beaty portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in the television series Aquarius.
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.
2017: American Horror Story portrayal
In 2017, Leslie Grossman portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in the season of American Horror Story: Cult.
2018: Charlie Says film portrayal
In 2018, Sosie Bacon portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in Mary Harron's film Charlie Says.
2019: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood portrayal
In 2019, Madisen Beaty (credited as "Katie") portrayed Patricia Krenwinkel in Quentin Tarantino's film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
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.
2025: Recommended for parole in 2025
In 2025 Patricia Krenwinkel was recommended to be released on parole.
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