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Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, has been recommended for parole after spending more than 55 years behind bars.
Krenwinkel, 78, was recommended for parole Tuesday for the third time in four years, setting up another potential showdown with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has blocked her release twice over concerns that she remains a danger to the public.
The latest decision, confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s inmate database, comes less than a year after Newsom reversed her previous parole recommendation.
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In his October 2025 decision, Newsom found that Krenwinkel “lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released,” despite acknowledging her efforts to rehabilitate herself while spending decades in prison.
Manson family members Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkle and Leslie van Houton. (Bettmann Archive)
“When considered as a whole, the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time,” Newsom wrote.
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State records show Krenwinkel was previously recommended for parole in May 2022 and May 2025, but Newsom reversed both decisions, keeping her behind bars.
The decision does not guarantee Krenwinkel’s release, as the parole board must first complete its review before Newsom can decide whether to let her go free or block her release for a third time.
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For now, she remains at the California Institution for Women in Corona, where she is serving a life sentence after entering the state prison system on April 28, 1971.
(L-R) Susan Denise Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten laugh after receiving the death sentence for their part in the Tate-LaBianca killing at the order of Charles Manson. (Bettmann Archive via Getty Images)
Krenwinkel was just 21 when she joined other members of Manson’s so-called “Family” in two nights of killings in August 1969 that left seven people dead, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant.
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According to Newsom’s summary of the case, Krenwinkel and other Manson followers fatally stabbed Tate’s friend Abigail Folger and helped attack several other victims. The following night, the group murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving bloody messages throughout their home.
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Originally sentenced to death, Krenwinkel had her punishment reduced to life in prison after California’s death penalty system was invalidated in 1972.
The five victims were found slain on August 9, 1969. From left: Woijech ‘Voytek’ Frykowski, Sharon Tate, Steven Parent, Jay Sebring and Abigail Folger. (CPL Archives/Everett Collection)
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Newsom previously acknowledged Krenwinkel’s rehabilitation efforts, including earning college degrees and mentoring other incarcerated women, but cited concerns about her self-awareness and tendency to blame others for her actions.
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Krenwinkel’s attorney, Keith Wattley, disputed those findings after Newsom’s October 2025 reversal.
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“Patricia Krenwinkel is the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States,” Wattley said at the time. “For more than five decades, she has committed to deep healing and rehabilitation, earning degrees, counseling others and becoming a mentor to younger women inside.”
Charles Manson is brought into the Los Angeles city jail under suspicion of having masterminded the Tate-LaBianca murders of August 1969. (Getty Images)
Wattley argued that Krenwinkel no longer poses an unreasonable risk to public safety.
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“Patricia’s record meets that standard. She deserves to be paroled,” he said.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Wattley, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Newsom’s office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
