Convicted killer Susan Atkins, a follower of Charles Manson, has died of cancer. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Associated Press)

Susan Atkins, a follower of 1960s cult leader Charles Manson who admitted stabbing actress Sharon Tate 40 years ago, has died at the age of 61.

Atkins, who was suffering from brain cancer, died at a prison hospital in Chowchilla, Calif., late Thursday night, said California Department of Corrections spokeswoman Terry Thornton.

Atkins had spent the last days of her life in hospice care at the hospital, Thornton said.

Earlier this month Atkins had lost her last bid for parole. Her husband-lawyer, James Whitehouse, had pleaded for her release so she could die at home.

Atkins, who had her left leg amputated and was partially paralyzed, had slept through most of the hearing and had only roused to recite the 23rd Psalm from a gurney at the end.

Atkins was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008. She was denied compassionate release in the same year after she was given just months to live.

The families of victims of the Sharon Tate-La Bianca killings urged that she be kept behind bars until she dies.

Atkins, Manson and two other cult members, Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten, were tried for the 1969 killings of Tate — who was 8½ months pregnant — Leno and Rosemary La Bianca, and four others.

The defendants maintained their innocence throughout the trial. Once convicted, the women confessed to the killings during the penalty phase.

Atkins recounted her role in stabbing Tate, who pleaded for the life of her unborn baby. Atkins claimed she was on LSD at the time but did not apologize for the crime until a parole hearing years later.

With files from The Associated Press