Crossword Genius

Ferryman carrying son nursed by old lovers to reach cult leader (7,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

charles manson

'cult leader' is the definition.

'ferryman carrying son nursed by old lovers' is the wordplay.
'ferryman' becomes 'charon' (ferryman of Hades in Greek myth).
'carrying' is an insertion indicator.
'son' becomes 's'.
'nursed by' indicates putting letters inside.
'old lovers' becomes 'lemans' ('leman' is an archaic term for 'lover').
's' put into 'lemans' is 'lesmans'.
'charon' placed around 'lesmans' is 'CHARLES MANSON'.

'to reach' acts as a link.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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