Charles Manson’s pen-pal and friend, Michael Channels, and grandson Jason Freeman, are locked in a legal battle over the cult leaders remains and estate.
Based in Santa Clarita, 52-year-old Channels revealed Manson’s 2002 will sent to him by the famous prisoner disinheriting his children from his estate. He bequeathed all his belongings and remains to Channels upon his death.
Channels VS Freeman: And the Madness Begins
But 41-year-old Jason Freeman, who is the only Manson family to step forward to lay claim to Manson’s body, is suspicious of any purported will brandished by Channels. Freeman’s attorney, Alan Davis, says he filed documents for his client at the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
A hearing has been set for January 8, 2018. Davis says he is doubtful that anyone could reach Manson in prison and get him to sign a will bequeathing his body and estate to that person.
Cult leader Charles Manson was serving a life sentence for ordering his followers to kill nine people in 1969, including pregnant actress Sharon Tate. He was incarcerated at Corcoran State Prison in Kings County.
However, Manson died on November 19 at Bakersfield Mercy Hospital in Kern County following a heart attack. His body is preserved at the Kern County sheriff-coroner’s office.
Manson’s Will to Pen-Pal Disinherits Family
Showing off Manson’s will, Channels insists the mass murderer has bequeathed both his body at death and entire estate to him. In a copy of the will in question, Manson wrote that:
“Immediately upon my death, my wishes are in leaving Michael Channels my entire estate, my remaining cash funds left I my account at Corcoran, my remaining property held by the state prison, my remaining and personal items held by the state prison system, any property belonging to B33920 Charles M. Manson will be turned over to Michael Channels.”
In the will, Manson continued:
“I am leaving my entire estate to Michael Channels including my image rights, my music rights, all printing rights, my exclusive music catalog including all music I have ever printed, written, sang, recorded, released or unreleased…upon my death, all my property being held by any institution, police force, prison system, or property room be immediately released to said executer.
“Michael Channels is the only named person in my will and is the only recipient to my entire remaining estate…upon my death, I wish not to be held in state prison, I want released immediately to the custody of michael Channels per my private instructions on the disposition of my remains, to be carried out by a professional mortuary facility, of Michael Channel’s choosing…”
In the revealed will, Manson stated categorically that:
“I have two known children son Michael Brunner and sons Charles Manson Jr. I have disinherited both known sons and any unknown children in the present and in the future from my estate. I am leaving nothing to any such heirs as, relatives, children, ex-wives, in-laws, lawyers, friends, prisoners, inmates, cops, guards, or the state of California.”
Manson’s Pen-Pal Plans to Disperse Cremated Ashes
Beginning in the 1990s, Channels said he wrote over 50 letters asking for Manson’s signature before he was finally able to meet with him in 2002. He also has a personal collection of Ronald Reagan’s autograph, including those of Jimmy Carter and Michael Jackson among other notable personalities.
Channels said receiving Manson’s will in the mail several months after their initial meeting was a nightmare.
He further reveals he is still making plans on how to dispose of Manson’s body.
“Cemeteries don’t want him. They think if they take him, they will pollute the whole ground. I am going to cremate him and dump his ashes in the desert.”
