Bruce Davis, former follower of Charles Manson, dies in prison at 83

The inmate was pronounced dead on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 11:03 pm, according to a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections cited by the Los Angeles Times. The Solano County coroner’s office also confirmed the information. The cause of death has not been made public.

Bruce Davis was convicted in 1972 for the murders of Gary Hinman, a musician, and Donald “Shorty” Shea, a stuntman and employee at the ranch where Charles Manson and his followers lived. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

His name remains associated with the “Manson family,” the group responsible for a series of crimes that deeply impacted the United States in the late 1960s. However, Bruce Davis did not participate in the murders of actress Sharon Tate and the LaBianca couple, Leno and Rosemary, in August 1969.

He surrendered to authorities in December 1970, after more than a year on the run. During his incarceration, he pursued higher education and claimed to have converted to Christianity. His behavior in prison led several boards to declare him suitable for parole.

However, successive governors of California prevented his release or denied favorable recommendations. They believed he did not fully grasp the severity of his actions. As a result, Bruce Davis remained incarcerated for over half a century.

As of September 14, California authorities had not provided any information regarding a possible illness or the medical circumstances surrounding his death. The Solano County coroner is set to determine the official cause of death.