MANSON FAMILY MURDERS KILLER FREE AFTER 50 YEARS

After five decades in prison, cult follower Leslie Van Houten has been released

- Emma Babbington

It's been 50 years since Charles Manson follower and convicted murderer Leslie Van Houten was able to walk freely in society. But last week, the 73-year-old left the California prison where she had been incarcerated for her part in the infamous 1969 Manson murders to begin life on the outside.

Van Houten was just 19 when she helped kill grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife Rosemary after Manson ordered his followers known as "The Family" - to go on a two-day killing spree.

The day before, pregnant actress Sharon Tate, wife of film director Roman Polanski, and four others had also been killed as part of Manson's deranged plan.

TERRIBLE LOSS

She has been released to parole supervision, and it's thought she will spend up to a year in transitional housing learning life skills such as grocery shopping and banking.

Leno's daughter says she is "heartbroken" at the release of Van Houten, who had been recommended for parole five times since 2016, but had her bids for freedom rejected by California's Governors.