Three men are battling for dead serial killer Charles Manson’s estate and body, court documents reveal
Three men are battling for dead serial killer Charles Manson’s estate and body, court documents reveal.
Manson’s penfriend Michael Channels, 52, claims he has a will signed by the cult leader in 2002 but it’s partially legible and lists him as a witness, casting doubt on its authenticity.
Jason Freeman, 41, claims to be Manson’s grandson and next of kin. He has filed documents to prove he’s Charles Manson Jr.’s son but on his death bed Manson told prison officials he had no family and the claim has not been confirmed.
Matthew Robert Lentz, 49, claims to be Manson’s son. He has filed a will but it only has one witness instead of two.
The three men’s claims were noted in a court document filed by the Kern County Coroner and seen by TMZ.
Earlier this month the legal battle threatened to become a circus with as many as five contenders but now a judge has three to chose from.
Channels, a pen pal of Manson’s for 30 years, says he met Manson in 2002 after the two had corresponded through letters and that soon after, Manson sent him a will leaving his entire estate to him.
He claims it includes the right to all of Manson’s estate which consists of the rights to cash in his prison account, the rights to his prison and police records and his image, music, printing, movie and publishing rights.
Grandson Jason Freeman, 41, (left) and pen pal Michael Channels, 52, (right)
Matthew Robert Lentz claims to be Manson’s son and has also filed a will but it only has one witness instead of two
Freeman’s lawyer is skeptical of the will, since it wasn’t even properly signed.
‘We are aware that there is a document that is reported to be a will, but frankly we are very suspicious,’ his lawyer Davis has said. ‘Manson was incarcerated and we are suspicious that someone could get to him and get it signed.’
In the so-called will, Manson cuts out both of his known sons from his estate. But even if it was valid, one legal expert says that Freeman would still be the likely beneficiary since the will doesn’t mention his grandchildren specifically, just the sons.
‘The grandson was not disinherited in the will,’ Jack Barcal, a specialist in probate and trust law, previously told the OC Register. ‘The property should go to his grandson or whoever the grandchildren are.’
Manson’s body is being held on ice at the coroner’s office (pictured) in Kern County, where he was hospitalized prior to his death
Meanwhile, Matthew Robert Lentz’s alleged will leaves everything to the cult leader’s ‘son’ and gives him the right to arrange for Manson’s burial.
The eight-page document was signed by Manson on January 11 this year, and given to the cult leader’s friend and long time confidante Ben Gurecki. He was named executor.
The court has already received another purported will, leaving Manson memorabilia fanatic Michael Channels everything and claiming to have been signed in February 14, 2002 and obtained by TMZ.
Attorney Spencer Kuvin told DailyMail.com he is prepared to challenge the authenticity of Chalmer’s 2002 will in its entirety, saying its signature may not be genuine because it lacks a swastika – setting the scene for a bitter and protracted battle over Manson’s estate and possibly even his remains.
‘It turned into something I have never expected,’ Channels said of the will. ‘It’s a nightmare all the way around.’ Pictured: The alleged will held by Channels
Channels has said his claim has been more of a hassle than anything.
‘It turned into something I have never expected,’ Channels said. ‘It’s a nightmare all the way around.’
Freeman said if he received Manson’s remains, he would cremate them and spread them secretly so the location couldn’t be turned into a morbid tourist destination.
Channels has said something similar in prior interviews.
‘Cemeteries don’t want him,’ he said. ‘They think if they take him, they will pollute the whole ground.’
Manson’s body is being held on ice by the coroner in Kern County, where he was hospitalized prior to his death on November 19 at age 83.
Roberts claims that his Manson will (pictured), dated January 2017, is the rightful will
The document filed by Charles Manson’s ‘son’ Matthew Roberts includes a swastika on Manson’s signature