Debra Tate, whose pregnant sister was among those killed by the Manson Family cult, told US broadcaster CBS that she was called shortly after his death by the prison where he had been incarcerated.

She said she was still processing the news, but added she had “said a prayer for Manson's soul and has forgiven the family but refuses to forget what they did”.

Newspapers restarted the presses to update their front pages, with The New York Post's reading: “Evil dead: Make room, Satan, Charles Manson is finally going to hell.”

“Burn in hell,” splashed The New York Daily News on the death of the “bloodthirsty cult leader”.