Manson follower Bruce Davis dies in prison at 83 - USA Today

Bruce Davis, a follower of wild-eyed cult leader Charles Manson convicted of killing two men in 1969, has died, California prison officials confirmed on Sept. 15.

Davis, who was 89, died Sept. 11 at California Medical Facility, where he was incarcerated, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Mary Xjimenez told USA TODAY.

At 11:03 p.m. PT, Davis was pronounced deceased by a registered nurse at the institution.

The Solano County Coroner will determine his official cause of death, Xjimenez said.

Davis, a Manson family member labeled the cult leader's "Right-hand man," had been incarcerated at the prison in Los Angeles County on April 21, 1972, and sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for two counts of first-degree murder.

Davis was convicted of killing Donald Shea, a 35-year-old Hollywood stuntman. He was also convicted of killing Gary Hinman, a 34-year-old friend of several Manson family members.

In his 34 parole hearings, he was found suitable for parole seven times: January 2010, February 2012, March 2014, August 2015, February 2017, June 2019, and January 2021.

In each case, the sitting governor reversed the decision.

During his most recent parole hearing, on Aug. 8, 2024, Xjimenez said Davis was denied parole eligibility for three years by the Board of Parole Hearings.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.