Manson family member Linda Kasabian dies at 73: report

LOS ANGELES – Linda Kasabian, a member of Charles Manson’s “Family” who later testified against the cult leader and other members, has died. She was 73 years old.

Kasabian died on January 21 in Tacoma, Washington and her body was cremated, TMZ reported. The cause of her death has not been revealed.

A death certificate obtained by the outlet indicates that Kasabian changed her last name to “Hiochios” to protect her identity and hide her former cult affiliation.

Kasabian was involved in the infamous 1969 Los Angeles murder that killed seven people, including actress Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, eight months pregnant. Kasabian told the court in detail how Charles “Tex” Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins shot and stabbed the victims.

In exchange for testifying against Manson, Watson, Krenwinkel, and Atkins, Kasabian was granted immunity.

In Milford, New Hampshire, Kasabian said of the verdict, “I’m not surprised, but my heart does indeed mourn for them.”

Kasabian said from the podium that although she witnessed the murders and drove the getaway car during the Tate-LaBianca murders, she did not harm anyone.

Kasabyan’s testimony helped prosecutors secure the conviction of Manson and his co-defendants for the murder, who were sentenced to life in prison.

Manson died in prison in 2017 at the age of 83 after suffering a cardiac arrest after battling colon cancer.

Kasabian has reportedly lived in Tacoma with her daughter since the late 1980s.

During an interview with Larry King in 2009, Kasabian said she was “on a path of healing and rehabilitation” and stated that she felt guilty about the murders.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.