Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel Recommended for Parole
The decision marks the third parole recommendation in four years for the convicted Tate-LaBianca murderer, potentially setting up another clash with Governor Newsom.
Patricia Krenwinkel, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson convicted in the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders, has been recommended for parole after serving more than 55 years in prison. This marks the third time in four years that Krenwinkel, 78, has received a parole recommendation, setting the stage for a potential reversal by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has previously blocked her release twice, citing concerns that she remains a danger to the public.
The latest recommendation was confirmed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's inmate database. It comes less than a year after Newsom overturned her previous parole recommendation in October 2025. At that time, Newsom stated that Krenwinkel "lacks the requisite insight she needs to be safely released," despite acknowledging her rehabilitation efforts during her decades of incarceration.
Newsom's decision to block her release previously noted that "the evidence shows that she currently poses an unreasonable danger to society if released from prison at this time." Krenwinkel was previously recommended for parole in May 2022 and May 2025, but both recommendations were reversed by Newsom.
The current decision does not guarantee Krenwinkel's release. The parole board must complete its review, after which Newsom will have the final say on whether to grant or deny her freedom.
Krenwinkel is currently held at the California Institution for Women in Corona, serving a life sentence. She entered the state prison system on April 28, 1971. At 21 years old, she was involved in two nights of killings in August 1969 orchestrated by Manson. The violence resulted in the deaths of seven people, including actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant.
According to records, Krenwinkel and other Manson followers were involved in the fatal stabbings of Tate's friend Abigail Folger and attacked other victims. The following night, the group murdered Leno and Rosemary LaBianca, leaving graphic messages at the crime scene. Krenwinkel was initially sentenced to death, but her sentence was commuted to life in prison after California's death penalty system was invalidated in 1972.
Governor Newsom has previously acknowledged Krenwinkel's progress in prison, including her attainment of college degrees and her work mentoring other incarcerated women. However, he has consistently raised concerns about her self-awareness and a perceived tendency to blame others for her past actions.
Krenwinkel's attorney, Keith Wattley, has disputed these findings. Following Newsom's October 2025 reversal, Wattley stated, "Patricia Krenwinkel is the longest-incarcerated woman in the United States. 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." Wattley maintains that Krenwinkel no longer poses an unreasonable risk to public safety and "deserves to be paroled."