Early Life and Birth
Charles Luther Manson, originally named Charles Luther Manson Little, was born on September 24, 1960 in Los Angeles County, California. He was the second confirmed son of cult leader Charles Milles Manson and his follower Leona Rae “Candy” Stevens. At the time of his birth:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name at Birth | Charles Luther Manson Little |
| Date of Birth | September 24, 1960 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles County, California |
| Mother | Leona Rae “Candy” Stevens |
| Father | Charles Milles Manson (incarcerated) |
From his earliest months, Charles Luther Manson’s upbringing was marked by instability. His mother, Stevens, was a 20‑year‑old follower of Charles Manson, who was serving a prison sentence at the time. Due to legal and custodial complications, Charles Luther was placed in foster care and shuffled among multiple households in Southern California.
Name Change and Legal Identity
In an effort to distance himself from the stigma of his father’s notoriety, Charles Luther Manson legally changed his name in 1976:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Filed petition to change name |
| September | Officially adopted the name Jay Charles Warner |
The change was granted by the Los Angeles County Superior Court on October 14, 1976. From that point on, he lived and worked under the name Jay Charles Warner, a shift intended to enable a more private life.
Childhood and Education
Charles Luther’s childhood was largely spent in group homes and foster families across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Riverside counties. His formal education included:
- Elementary School: Attended three different public schools between 1966 and 1968.
- Middle School: Enrolled briefly in a community day school in 1972 before transferring.
- High School: Completed 10th grade at a continuation school in 1976, but did not graduate with a traditional diploma.
Despite sporadic schooling, he demonstrated an aptitude for art and carpentry during vocational training programs offered by juvenile services in 1975 and 1976.
Adulthood, Career, and Residences
After changing his name, Jay Charles Warner relocated to Denver, Colorado in 1978, where he lived for nearly three decades. His adult life included:
| Period | Location | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 1978–1984 | Denver, CO | Construction laborer |
| 1984–1992 | Aurora, CO | Carpenter apprentice |
| 1992–2001 | Colorado Springs, CO | Freelance woodworking artisan |
| 2001–2007 | Boulder County, CO | Rental property maintenance |
He never married and had no known children. Throughout his adult years, Warner maintained minimal public presence, avoiding media interviews and declining any association with his birth surname.
Health, Personal Challenges, and Death
In the early 2000s, Warner developed chronic respiratory issues linked to long-term exposure to sawdust and construction materials. After a series of hospitalizations, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2006. Key health milestones include:
| Date | Health Event |
|---|---|
| March 2006 | First hospitalization for respiratory distress |
| July 2006 | Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis |
| January 2007 | Placed on transplant waiting list |
On May 5, 2007, at age 46, Jay Charles Warner passed away from complications related to pulmonary fibrosis at a hospice facility in Boulder County, Colorado. His death certificate lists his legal name and makes no reference to his biological father.
Estate and Posthumous Affairs
At the time of his death, Warner’s estate was modest, comprising:
- A small 3‑unit residential property in Boulder County.
- Personal woodworking tools valued at approximately $12,500.
- A checking account balance of $3,200.
| Asset Type | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Real Estate (3‑unit rental) | $185,000 |
| Woodworking Tools | $12,500 |
| Bank Accounts | $3,200 |
| Total | $200,700 |
His will, drafted in 2005, bequeathed all assets to a local charity supporting pulmonary fibrosis research in Denver. No legal challenges were filed against the will, and the estate was settled in October 2007.
Public and Cultural Recognition
Despite his brief media mentions as Charles Manson’s son, Jay Charles Warner remained an obscure figure. Public records show:
- 0 published interviews.
- 0 book acknowledgments.
- 1 small local newspaper obituary in the Boulder Daily Camera (May 7, 2007).
His association with the Manson name sparked sporadic curiosity, but he consistently declined any publicity. Researchers note:
“Warner’s life illustrates the possibility of personal reinvention despite familial notoriety.”
Some academic publications on the children of great people reference him, although biographical information is scarce.
FAQ
Who was Charles Luther Manson?
Charles Luther Manson, later known as Jay Charles Warner, was the second confirmed son of cult leader Charles Manson, born on September 24, 1960 in Los Angeles County, California.
Why did he change his name?
In 1976 he legally changed his name to Jay Charles Warner to disassociate from his father’s criminal notoriety and to pursue a private life.
Where did he live as an adult?
After 1978, he resided primarily in Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and finally Boulder County, Colorado, working in construction and woodworking.
Did he have any children?
No, there are no records or reports indicating that Jay Charles Warner married or had children.
What did his estate consist of?
In 2007, he left behind a $200,700 estate, including a three-unit rental property in Boulder County, $12,500 in carpentry tools, and $3,200 in bank accounts.
When and how did he die?
Pulmonary fibrosis killed him at 46 in Boulder County, Colorado, on May 5, 2007.
