Linda Kasabian, a member of the infamous cult led by Charles Manson that murdered film star Sharon Tate in 1969, has reportedly died at the age of 73.

At the age of only 20, she was the lookout for the so-called ‘Manson Family’ in their murder of Tate.

Her death was announced in the US newspaper the Tacoma News Tribune, but the cause was not immediately made public.

Kasabian had changed her surname to “Chiochios” to protect her identity after her role in Tate’s murder.

Tate was the eight-month-pregnant wife of film director Roman Polanski.

The Manson Family killed her and three others in a rented house in an exclusive neighbourhood of Los Angeles in August 1969.

The next night, Kasabian also accompanied Manson and other members of the cult to the home of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, who were also killed.

Kasabian, who did not take part in the murders themselves, was granted immunity by prosecutors to testify against Manson and four of his followers at their sensational 1970 trial in Los Angeles. All five were convicted.

Who were the Manson Family?

The cult group called themselves a ‘family’ and were a commune gang led by criminal Charles Manson that were active in California, America, in the late 1960s and early 70s.

Made up mainly of runaways and outcasts, the family established a makeshift commune at a defunct movie ranch north-west of Los Angeles.

Who was Charles Manson?

Charles Manson directed his mostly young, female followers to murder seven people in what prosecutors said was part of a plan to incite a race war.

Manson and his followers claimed they had killed a total of 35 people and buried their bodies in the desert.

He was sentenced to death in 1969 for the Manson Family killings and murder of an acquaintance, Gary Hinman.

He was spared execution when the California supreme court declared the death penalty unconstitutional in 1976. He died in prison in 2017.

Who was Linda Kasabian?

Linda moved to Los Angeles in 1968. She met Manson through a Manson family member called Catherine “Gypsy” Share and moved to the Spahn Ranch with him and his followers.

It was said that at first Kasabian found Manson’s message to be peaceful, but that his tone eventually changed to one of violence and paranoia.

She was sent as “lookout” in the Tate murders, but never went inside the house. She also stayed in the car during the LaBianca murders, eventually leaving the scene with Manson. Kasabian eventually turned herself in, became a lead witness and received immunity.

Vincent Bugliosi, the lead prosecutor in the case against Manson, said in 2009: “If there ever was a star witness for the prosecution, it was Linda Kasabian. Without her testimony … it would have been extremely difficult for me to convict Manson and his co-defendants.”

Who were the other members of the ‘family’?

The Manson Family consisted of approximately 100 members who were radicalised by Manson’s teachings and driven by hippie culture and communal living.

Notable members who were prosecuted for carrying out grisly murders as part of the group include Susan Atkins, who believed Manson was God, Leslie Van Houten, Patricia Krenwinkel, Charles Watson, Bobby Beausoleil, Clem Grogan, Bruce Davis and Lynette Fromme.

Who did the Manson Family kill in 1969?

The Manson Family killed pregnant actress Sharon Tate and four others, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent, at 10050 Cielo Drive. A day later, they murdered wealthy grocery store owners Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.