Charles Manson, the psychopathic guru who masterminded a savage killing spree in the United States that shocked the world, has died  aged 83, US media and California prison officials said late Sunday.

Debra Tate -- the sister of Manson's most famous victim, Sharon Tate -- told celebrity website TMZ that she received a call from prison officials saying that Manson, who had long been ill, died Sunday evening. 

California prison officials later issued a statement confirming the death.

In the late 1960s, Manson headed an apocalyptic cult that committed random murders in upscale mostly white neighborhoods of Los Angeles -- unleashing a wave of panic in the city and beyond.