Heaven's Gate Cult- Mass Suicide

Analcuck · #1 ● 11-24-2010, 05:18 AM

Heaven's Gate was a cult that believed their souls would be "beamed aboard" a spaceship traveling behind the Hale Bopp comet as it passed over Earth in 1996.

The suicide was accomplished by ingestion of phenobarbital mixed with applesauce or pudding, washed down with vodka. Additionally, plastic bags were secured around their heads after ingesting the mix to induce asphyxiation.

Authorities found the dead lying neatly in their own bunk beds, faces and torsos covered by a square, purple cloth. Each member carried a five dollar bill and three quarters in their pockets. All 39 were dressed in identical black shirts and sweat pants, brand new black-and-white Nike Windrunner athletic shoes, and armband patches reading "Heaven's Gate Away Team".

Six males of the deceased, including Applewhite, were discovered to have undergone castration in the past. The adherents, between the ages of 26 and 72, are believed to have died in three groups over three successive days, with remaining participants cleaning up after each prior group's death.

Fifteen members died on March 24, 15 more on March 25, and nine on March 26. Leader Applewhite was the third to last member to die; two women remained after him and were the only ones found without bags over their heads.

ilovedirt · #2 ● 11-24-2010, 05:58 AM

happened about 20-25 minutes away from where i live. the house has since been torn down. nice post :)

Black Knight · #3 ● 11-24-2010, 06:21 AM

Great post. Thanks for sharing. What a bunch of nuts. I am talking about the castration part. They can believe in their space ships and being beamed up and what not but why cut your weapon off.

jeanie78 · #4 ● 11-24-2010, 08:09 AM

The nr 3 pic from the bottom says it all

Great post

dooshman · #5 ● 11-24-2010, 08:28 AM

Although this pales compared to the Jonestown suicides/murders, still the question remains: how can such average, everyday people allow one person to lead them to the path of self destruction?