Bruce Davis, Charles Manson family cult follower, dies at 83

The Brief

• Bruce Davis, a prominent Charles Manson follower convicted in two 1969 murders, died at age 83 at a California prison, according to TMZ.

• Davis was not involved in the killings of Sharon Tate and six others but was convicted for his role in the deaths of Gary Hinman and Donald "Shorty" Shea.

• He was denied parole in 2022 after being recommended for release seven times, with three governors rejecting prior recommendations.

Los Angeles -- Bruce Davis, a prominent follower of cult leader Charles Manson who was convicted for his role in two murders carried out by members of the Manson Family, has died in a California prison He was 83 years old. 

Davis died at 11:03 p.m. Sept. 11 at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville where he was incarcerated, according to sources cited by TMZ and the Solano County Coroner’s Office. 

A spokeswoman for the Solano County Coroner's Office also confirmed to Fox News Digital that Davis had died, but didn't give additional details.

A cause of death was not immediately released.

Davis was a member of the Manson Family, the group whose 1969 murder spree in Los Angeles shocked the nation and became one of the most infamous crimes in American history.

He was not present at the murders of actress Sharon Tate and six others in August 1969. Tate, the pregnant wife of film director Roman Polanski, was among those killed at her Los Angeles home. The following night, Manson followers killed Leno and Rosemary LaBianca.

Davis was convicted in 1972 for his role in the killings of musician Gary Hinman and Donald "Shorty" Shea, who worked at Spahn Ranch, where the Manson family lived. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

In 2022, a California panel denied parole for Bruce Davis, who was previously recommended for parole seven times. Those findings were rejected by three consecutive governors. Parole commissioners told Davis to try again in three years, according to The Associated Press.

Debra Tate, Sharon Tate's sister, told TMZ she prays when Manson Family members die in prison.

"I always say a prayer upon their passing," she said, referring to other members who have died behind bars.

She added, "Basically it says may they finally have clarity on the actions that they caused during their life, and may Lord have mercy on their souls."

• The Source: The information for this story was provided by TMZ, The Associated Press. This story was reported from Los Angeles.