REPORT: Charles Manson close to death in Bakersfield, California hospital

The dark history of Charles Manson

BAKERSFIELD, California -- Charles Manson, the notorious criminal who was held responsible for some of the most gruesome and brutal murders in California's history, is reportedly clinging to life in a hospital, according to a report.

PHOTOS: Five decades of Charlie Manson mug shots and photos

Oct. 8, 2014 - 80-year-old Charles Manson.none

June 16, 2011. Charles Manson in Corcoran, Calif. Manson, scheduled to have a parole hearing at Corcoran State Prison on Wednesday, April 11, 2012.none

Convicted mass murderer Charles Manson is shown, 1971.none

Charles Manson is escorted to his arraignment on conspiracy-murder charges in conneciton with the Sharon Tate murder case, 1969, Los Angeles, Calif.none

Charles Manson sticks his tongue out at photographers as he appears in a Santa Monica, Calif., courtroom on June 25, 1970.none

Charles Manson is escorted to court for formal sentencing in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 19, 1971.none

Unsuccessful in his attempts to obtain a mistrial, Manson heads for court in Los Angeles on Aug. 6, 1970 to listen to further cross-examination of state's witness, Linda Kasabian.none

Cult leader Charles Manson looks back and smiles as his attorney, public defender Fred Schaefer, talks to him in Independence, Calif., on Dec. 4, 1969.none

Co-defendants in the Sharon Tate murder case, from left, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, walk to court in Los Angeles for sentencing, March 29, 1971.none

Three members of Charles Manson's clan leave a Los Angeles Courtroom just after being found guilty, along with Manson of first degree murder, Jan. 25, 1971.none

Beatle George Harrison, October 28, 1970. He was asked to comment on Manson's attorneys trying to subpoena John Lennon to testify on ideas allegedly contained in Beatle songs.none

Four members of the Charles Manson "family" kneel on the sidewalk outside the Los Angeles at Hall of Justice, March 29, 1971, keeping vigil.none

A source told TMZ Manson's health is deteriorating and that 'It's just a matter of time' before his death. The report says the 83-year-old was taken to a Bakersfield hospital for treatment.

He was recently hospitalized in January for an intestinal lesion and returned to prison.

Manson and his followers, known as "The Manson Family" were convicted of two sets of infamous, grisly Los Angeles murders.

The group was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. But all were spared execution when a U.S. Supreme Court ruling temporarily banned the death penalty in 1972.

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REPORT: Charles Manson close to death in California hospital