Charles Manson 'left his entire estate and body to prison pen pal'

Charles Manson reportedly left his entire estate, including his remains, to a prison pen pal. The murderous cult leader, who died last week aged 83, struck up a friendship with a male correspondent who first wrote to him in the 1990s, TMZ reported. The man reportedly sent 50 unanswered letters to Manson at the California State Prison until he eventually received a reply. Manson then talked to him by telephone and the pen pal started visiting him in jail starting in 2002. According to a yellowing will obtained by TMZ, and dated Feb 14, 2002, Manson left all his belongings, including his clothes and money, to the pen pal. Manson also left to the man rights to use his name and image, and control of songs he had written. The pen pal, who TMZ did not name, also had the right to claim Manson's body within 10 days of his death, and told the news website that he intended to do so. If he does not claim it then the killer will be cremated by the California prison system. According to the will Manson chose specifically to disinherit his known and unknown children, former wives, all relatives, friends, and lawyers. The pen pal said he last spoke to Manson by phone on Oct 21 The will was typed but included some scrawled handwriting, which appeared to match Manson's known style. It included the message: "I'm not in the best spot to rest in peace." The will was said to have been witnessed by one of Manson's fellow inmates. Charles Manson Credit: AP Manson spent his last 45 years in jail after sending followers known as the "Manson Family" to commit gruesome murders,  In the summer of 1969 he directed his mostly young, female followers to murder seven people in what prosecutors said was part of a plan to incite a race war. Among the victims was actress Sharon Tate, the pregnant wife of filmmaker Roman Polanski. She was stabbed 16 times by cult members. A section of the will said Charles Manson, Prisoner B33920, wished to have his body released to the custody of the pen pal who was "my one and only executor of any services, viewings, funeral arrangements, or otherwise, in his judgment OF MY WISHES only". Manson also said that he was "of a sound mind".