Two Men Claiming To Be Charles Manson's Heirs Team Up To Fight For Killer's Estate
March 23 2018, Published 5:19 p.m. ET
Two men embroiled in the court battle over Charles Manson’s estate, who said they are the notorious cult leader’s sons, have decide to join their efforts to fight the claims of another Manson relative and a pen pal, according to court documents obtained exclusively by RadarOnline.com.
Michael G.Brunner and Matthew Robert Lentz said they plan to move forward with a petition using a 2017 Will that Lentz filed at Los Angeles Superior Court.
That 8-page document filed by Lentz was allegedly signed by Manson on Jan. 11, 2017 at Concoran State Prison, where Manson had been serving a life sentence until his death on Nov. 19. In that will, Manson listed longtime friend Benjamin J. Gureki as the executor of the his estate, but also listed Lentz as his only child, according to the affidavit filed on Feb. 21 by Lentz.
Brunner, Manson’s son with former Manson Family member, Mary, said he also believes the affidavit in Lentz’s possession is the deceased cult leader’s true and final Will.
“Based on current information available, Petitioner (Brunner) believes the 2017 Will to be the Decedent’s true and final Will,” wrote Daniel Mortensen, Brunner’s attorney, in the affidavit. “However, the Lentz Petition, which was filed in pro per, has numerous issues in probate notes requiring supplement and/or amendment. After discussions among Petition (Brunner), Mr.Lentz, Mr. Gureki, and the undersigned, Mr. Gureki has declined to act and instead nominates Mr.Lentz and Petitioner ( Brunner) as co-administrators with will annexed.”
Brunner’s attorney and lawyers representing other individuals vying for Manson’s estate, including Manson’s longtime pen pal, Michael Channels, appeared Friday at Los Angeles Superior Court to discuss the various petitions. Lentz, however, did not show up to court, so the judge ordered all parties to come back on May 8 for a status conference on the Probate case.
Channels has also filed what he claims is Manson’s true Will, which the cult leader allegedly signed on Feb. 14, 2002. In Channel’s version of the Will, Manson said he wanted his remains be released to his pen pal and friend. Manson also wrote he had disinherited his two sons, Brunner and Charles Manson, Jr., and wanted all of his estate to go to Channels, including image, music, movie and publishing rights.
Jason Freeman, Manson’s grandson from Charles Manson, Jr., had also filed a petition in December seeking control over the estate through a special administrator. A Kern County judge ruled last week that Freeman could collect the body of the notorious cult leader.
Manson’s cremated remains were scattered on a California hillside after a Christian funeral that was held on March 17, nearly four months after his death.
Attorney Alan Davis, who represents Channels’ interests, exclusively told RadarOnline after Friday’s hearing that he received Brunner’s affidavit late Thursday night, March 22, that outlines Brunner's intention to join Lentz in the fight for Manson’s estate.
“I don’t know why they would want to do that, but maybe it’s for monetary reason, I’m not sure,” Davis said. “It really doesn’t affect us in any way.”
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