SUSAN ATKINS, a follower of cult leader Charles Manson whose remorseless witness stand confession to killing pregnant actress Sharon Tate in 1969 shocked the world, has died. She was 61 and had been suffering from brain cancer.

SUSAN ATKINS, the terminally ill Charles Manson follower who admitted stabbing actress Sharon Tate 40 years ago, has lost what was likely to be her last bid for freedom.