Charles Manson, one of the US’s most notorious murderers in living memory, died of natural causes on Sunday at the age of 83 — and the responses to his death prove the cult leader’s global impact.
By 11.21am Monday, Manson was trending number one worldwide, and even worked his way into South Africa’s trends behind #IdolsSA and “Mugabe”, among others.
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Manson orchestrated the infamous murders of heavily pregnant Sharon Tate and four others in an attempt to thwart what he claimed to be an impending race war. Many refused to wish him a peaceful rest.
Charles Manson at the gates of hell. pic.twitter.com/y0cuDnPMYJ
— Daniella Naomi
(@Danideutsch) November 20, 2017
.I.P Charles Manson — ⌁Տ. (@shawnroos) November 20, 2017
Let’s not forget Charles Manson tried to start a race war with his fucking murder spree. The man was calculated, racist and fucking evil.
— Juanita’s Daughter (@NicsDVdR) November 20, 2017
So Charles Manson has died – I will not say RIP. But enjoy your time in hell. #CharlesManson
— Lizl C (@Amabokka15) November 20, 2017
Others thought it interesting that he and Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe were trending at the same time.
Charles Manson dead, the end looking nigh for Robert Mugabe. November 2017 is all right.
— Mindy Pawsey (@MKPS001) November 20, 2017
Weirdly, Charles Manson was not the primary deranged, old murderer-by-proxy whose death I was hoping to wake up to this morning. Oh well…
— Baby Godzilla (@AnnieBrookstone) November 20, 2017
South Africans were quick to denounce those upset by Manson’s passing, while some were wary of celebrating death in general.
People are actually upset that Charles Manson is dying? Your obsessions with murderers and cultists are weird.
— DJ Criboi (@CraigRoxy) November 16, 2017
Why are so many people sad about Manson dying? Did I miss something where we disregarded the fact that he was a mass murderer or…?
— Jessica (@JessicaKramerZA) November 20, 2017
I do find these tweets of people celebrating Charles Manson’s death a bit repugnant. Surely we’re supposed to be better than that.
— Wahooney (@Wahooney) November 20, 2017
And, of course, Twitter users used the opportunity to crack some jokes.
Charles Manson has died. Interestingly, he never actually murdered anyone, he got others to do it for him, making him the DJ Khaled of serial killers.
— Deep Fried Man (@DeepFriedMan) November 20, 2017
RIP Charles Manson pic.twitter.com/zoKOsEVasa
— Jame (@JamesJamesAF) November 20, 2017
Feature image: screenshot, @shawnroos via Twitter
