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Biography & Personal Stories
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From Manson's Killer to Prison Bride: The Two Bizarre Marriages of Susan Atkins
Manson Family murderer Susan Atkins spent decades in prison, but her infamy didn't stop her from finding love. She married twice behind bars: first to a man who falsely claimed to be a millionaire, and later to a Harvard Law graduate who fought for her freedom until her death.
Susan Atkins, known to the world as 'Sexy Sadie,' was a core member of the Manson Family, a name synonymous with the brutal Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969. Her chilling courtroom testimony, where she claimed to have tasted Sharon Tate's blood and felt no remorse, cemented her place as one of America's most reviled figures. Yet, the story of her four decades behind bars is a bizarre saga of faith, manipulation, and two highly unusual marriages that captivated and baffled the public.
The 'Millionaire' and the Con
After being sentenced to death—later commuted to life in prison—Atkins's life took a surprising turn. In 1974, she claimed to have become a born-again Christian, renouncing Charles Manson and publishing an autobiography, Child of Satan, Child of God. This newfound faith seemed to attract a different kind of follower. In 1981, she married Donald Laisure, a man who presented himself as a self-made millionaire. The union was peculiar from the start, attracting media attention for its sheer improbability. However, the 'millionaire' facade quickly crumbled. It was revealed that Laisure was not wealthy and had, in fact, been married over 30 times before. The marriage to Atkins was his 35th. The union was annulled less than a year later, adding a layer of con artistry to Atkins's already dark narrative.
The Harvard Lawyer and the Fight for Freedom
Atkins's second marriage was even more perplexing. In 1987, she wed James Whitehouse, a man who defied the typical profile of a murderer's admirer. Whitehouse was a graduate of Harvard Law School, and he didn't just marry Atkins; he became her fiercest advocate. He took over her legal representation and argued passionately for her parole for over two decades. Whitehouse maintained a website dedicated to her cause, arguing that she had been rehabilitated and was a 'political prisoner' who had more than paid her debt to society. He stated his belief in her redemption, telling the Los Angeles Times:
“She was, to my mind, the last, best and brightest hope for the concept of rehabilitation in the state of California.”
This union between a convicted killer and a highly educated lawyer highlighted the complex and often controversial nature of hybristophilia—the attraction to those who commit outrageous or violent crimes. While some saw Whitehouse as a deluded romantic, he remained her husband and legal counsel until her death.
A Life Sentence Served to the End
Despite her claims of redemption and her husband's legal efforts, Susan Atkins was never granted freedom. She was denied parole 18 times. The gravity of her crimes, coupled with powerful opposition from victims' families, particularly Sharon Tate's mother and sister, ensured she would remain incarcerated. Even after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, her final compassionate release request in 2009 was denied. She died in prison just weeks later, having served 38 years. Susan Atkins's life behind bars remains a fascinating case study in crime, punishment, and the strange capacity for a notorious killer to find both devotion and love in the most unlikely of places.