Charles Manson Dead? Death Hoax Claims Manson Killed Himself In Jail Cell, Leaving Suicide Note

Charles Manson is not dead, but reports of an alleged suicide note have sparked what became a viral death hoax for the infamous criminal.

Rumors about the 80-year-old’s death spread this week after a report from a site called Now 8 News claimed that Charles Manson died in his prison cell.

“Charles Manson, leader of the 1960’s cult group the ‘Manson Family’ was found dead in his Corcoran State Prison cell early Monday morning,” the report noted. “Correction officers approached Manson’s cell after they heard strange noises of banging and hollering at approximately 3:17 AM on September 14.”

The report claimed that Manson had committed suicide, and even included transcript of his alleged suicide note.

“As I write this letter on September 14 at 2:20 AM, I feel my soul rising to greatness. I am God, a great leader. These children that come at you with knives, they are your children. You taught them. I didn’t teach them. I just tried to help them stand up. But you will see, I am immortal. My body may lay here right now, but in less than 24 hours I will rise from the dead just like the great Lazarus, exactly like Jesus – because I am God!”

News of Manson’s supposed death spread online, with many sharing the news on social media. But those who studied the site a bit closer found that it was indeed a hoax. The site accepts reader submissions, creating what appears to be a mix of real stories and obvious hoaxes.

The story still managed to gain traction online, and Hollywood Reporter even reached out to a representative for Corcoran who confirmed that Charles Manson is indeed not dead.

No, Charles Manson is not dead despite rumors, a Corcoran official confirms.

— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) September 15, 2015

The death hoax is not the only news that Charles Manson has been making lately. A new book from co-authors Daniel Simone and Heidi Ley claims that Charles Manson may have been innocent in the Tate-LaBianca murders and his role in ordering the horrific executions, and was instead a victim of Vincent Bugliosi’s vendetta against him.

While Charles Manson may not be dead, he did suffer a big loss in the last year. After announcing his plans to marry Afton Elaine Burton, Manson called off the ceremony amid reports that she only wanted to get married so she could display his corpse after his death.

[Image via Getty Images/Handout]