Bruce Davis, ex-Charles Manson follower who was repeatedly denied parole, dies, authorities say

VACAVILLE, Calif. -- Bruce Davis, a former follower of cult leader Charles Manson convicted of slayings more than a half-century ago, has died while incarcerated, officials said.

Davis died Friday at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, the Solano County coroner's office confirmed to ABC News on Monday.

Davis had said he helped kill musician Gary Hinman and stuntman Donald "Shorty" Shea in 1969. He previously said he cut Shea with a knife and held a gun while Manson cut Hinman's face with a sword.



"I wanted to be Charlie's favorite guy," he said during a 2014 parole hearing.



Afterward, other followers wrote "political piggy" on the wall of Hinman's home in his own blood.

Davis was not involved in the more notorious killings of actress Sharon Tate and six others by the Manson cult the same year.

Davis had been denied parole numerous times over the years.

Gov. Gavin Newsom consistently rejected parole recommendations for Davis and for other followers of Manson, who died in prison in 2017 at age 83. His release was previously blocked by governors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.