![]() The Web site characterized Higher Source as a potential target for law enforcement, making reference to the treatment of the Davidians of Waco, Texas - killed in 1993 in a fiery confrontation with the FBI - and the bloody standoff at Ruby Ridge. The Heaven's Gate Web site does not espouse suicide as such but promotes a "willful exit" as the road "entering the Kingdom of Heaven." All had been removed from the house and identified by mid-day Thursday. Some of the victims had been dead for more than 36 hours before they were found, Blackbourne said. The first deputies who entered the home to find the bodies Wednesday complained of a distinctive odor. Of the letter written to an ex-member of the group, he said: "Although it is not a suicide note, per se, it does imply that it was their intent to take their own lives." Distinctive odor "It's our opinion that it was their intent - they planned to do this." The drugs were taken for a very specific purpose and that was to take their own lives," Lipscomb said. "We're not talking about a drug-crazed, party-time situation. The plastic bags were found in trash can behind the house. Deadly recipeīlackbourne said the victims mixed the sedative phenobarbital in apple sauce, washed it down with a drink of vodka and then were smothered with plastic bags over their heads. There were also victims from Washington, Ohio, Florida and Minnesota. ![]() Alan Fulmer, chief investigator in the case.Ī check of driver licenses showed that 11 of the victims came from New Mexico, eight from Texas, four from both California and Colorado and three from Arizona, officials said. Most of the victims were in their 40s, but their ages ranged from 26 to 72, said Cmdr. The essence of those statements were that they were going to a better place," Lipscomb said. "What we're finding is that each and every one of the members of the organization, prior to their death, gave a brief statement. No blood was found at the scene, and the only weapon in the house was a 9mm handgun packed in a suitcase. ![]() Lipscomb said officials were tipped off to the suicide after videotapes and a letter were sent to an ex-member of the group. "That's the most pleasant way I can put that." "They were at different stages of deterioration," Jerry Lipscomb of the San Diego Sheriff's Department told CNN. In a pocket, most of the victims had a $5 bill and some quarters. Those who wore glasses had them carefully placed at their side. Their bags had been packed neatly in the dormitory-type rooms. All the victims wore black pants and black Nike athletic shoes, their faces and chests covered with purple shrouds. The drugs were taken for a very specific purpose and that was to take their own lives."Īuthorities Thursday also showed video of the bloodless death scene at an afternoon news briefing. ![]() Officials are now trying to notify victims' families and have withheld names until that process is completed. Initially all the victims had been identified as men, since deputies found all of the victims dressed alike in black suits with close-cropped hair, making it difficult to determine their sex. The house was immaculate."īlackbourne said 21 of the victims were women and 18 were men. "There were different stages, suggesting it was planned. Brian Blackbourne, San Diego County Medical Examiner, at a news conference Thursday. "It seemed to be a group decision," said Dr. Lying on cots or mattresses with their arms at their sides, the victims each carried identification. The last two victims to die were found with plastic bags over their heads. Some members apparently assisted others and then cleaned up, then went on to take their own dose of the fatal mixture, mixed with apple sauce or pudding. The mass suicide likely took place over three days and involved three groups, proceeding in a calm, ritualistic fashion. Police said they had gathered little information so far on the background of the group or its leaders, only that they operated a computer Web service called "Higher Source." The name of the cult is "Heaven's Gate," which also has a Web site on the Internet. The victims apparently believed they were going to meet a UFO hiding behind the Hale-Bopp comet. San Diego County Sheriff's Department tape of the scene Mass suicide involved sedatives, vodka and careful planning Coroner: 'It seemed to be a group decision'ĭEL MAR, California (CNN) - The 39 cult members found dead in a hilltop mansion apparently died in a carefully orchestrated suicide that involved sedatives, vodka and plastic bags possibly used to suffocate, officials said Thursday. The Internet as a god and propaganda tool for cults CNN - Mass suicide involved sedatives, vodka and careful planning - Mar.
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