Crime

Cults

Julia Stiles, Andrew Keegan, Heath Ledger 10 Things I Hate About You - 1999

Andrew Keegan Hits Back at Speculation He Was a 'Cult' Leader: 'That's Not at All What It Was'

By Meredith Wilshere

Michelle Pfeiffer on April 06, 2026 in New York City; Joaquin Phoenix on September 03, 2025 in Venice, Italy; Rose McGowan on June 03, 2019 in Paris, France.

6 Celebrities Who Have Spoken Out About Their Experiences in Cults

By Alexandra Schonfeld and Samantha Stutsman

Mikayla Thompson, Gerielle German, MaâKayla Wickerson, Naaman Williams, disappearance of four adults and two children tied to Missouri Cult

6 People Tied to an Online 'Cult' Vanished in August 2023. A New TikTok Video May Point to Their Whereabouts

By Becca Longmire

Tracy Parks, 12, of Ukiah, Calif., looks at a photographer as her father, Gerald, rests in a Georgetown, Guyana hotel, Nov. 24, 1978

Over 900 People Died in the Jonestown Mass Murder-Suicide. 12-Year-Old Girl Miraculously Escaped — and Lived to Tell Her Story

Actress Allison Mack arrives at the United States Eastern District Court after a bail hearing in relation to the sex trafficking charges filed against her on May 4, 2018

Allison Mack Did Not Understand Why NXIVM 'Slaves' Found Branding Their Flesh Painful: 'It's Fine'

By Chris Spargo

Colman Domingo

Colman Domingo Reveals He Almost Joined a Cult on Accident: 'Wait a Minute, This Is Weird' (Exclusive)

By Dory Jackson

Bethany Joy Lenz

Bethany Joy Lenz Gets Daily Messages from Women in Abusive Relationships Because of Her Cult Memoir (Exclusive)

By Gillian Telling

Chad and Angela Johnson

Teen Escaped a Cult After a Forced Marriage to a Stranger. Her Husband Did Too — Then They Fell in Love

Allison-Mack-Keith-Raniere

Nxivm Founder Keith Raniere Guilty in Sex Trafficking Case Involving 'Smallville's' Allison Mack

By Greg Hanlon and Chris Harris

Mississippi Burning

FBI Files Reveal Final Moments of 3 Civil Rights Workers Murdered in 'Mississippi Burning' Case 60 Years Later

By Emily Palmer

People's Temple follower Larry Layton following his arrest on November 18, 1978.

What Happened During the Jonestown Massacre? The True Story of the Deadly Mass Murder in 1978

By Haley Van Horn

Jim Jones in his office in San Francisco, California on July 3, 1976.

Survivor Jackie Speier Had a Premonition About Jonestown. Then a Real-Life Nightmare Unfolded (Exclusive)

By Christine Pelisek

Pastor Robert Morris, left, and Bishop Harry Jackson, senior pastor at Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md

Pastor of Texas Megachurch Reportedly Admits 'Inappropriate Sexual Behavior' After Woman Alleges Abuse from Age 12

By Kirsty Hatcher

James Derrick and Miranda Derrick attend the Los Angeles premiere of "The Shift" on November 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

The Shocking True Story Behind Netflix's Dancing for the Devil

By Jessica Sager

School desks in classroom.

Thousands of Native American Children Across Decades Suffered Abuse While At Catholic Boarding Schools: Report

Veronica Butler; Jilian Kelley

Slayings of 2 Kan. Women Involved Anti-Government Fringe Group Members and Custody Battle, Police Believe

By Samira Asma-Sadeque

Charles Dederich, founder of Synanon, and wife Betty March 18, 1964 Photo ran 03/21/1964

What Happened to Synanon Founder Charles 'Chuck' Dederich? All About the Cult Leader Who Died in 1997

By Skyler Caruso

This image from video shows Ruby Franke during a hearing Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in St. George, Utah. A Utah judge will set prison sentences Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, for Franke, a mother of six who gave parenting advice via a once-popular YouTube channel

Inside Ruby Franke's Diaries: Disturbing Details of Child Abuse Police Say Was Rooted in 'Religious Extremism'

Synanon Fix

'From Healing to Horror': Was Synanon, the Rehab Program that Became a Religious Movement, a Cult?

By Corin Cesaric

The Willy Wonka-inspired event that police were called to in Glasgow.

Creator of Willy Wonka-Themed Experience Apologizes for Failed Event: ‘It All Looked Good on Paper’

By Abigail Adams

Larry Musgrave Jr. and Carmen Musgrave mugshots

Boys Who Ran Away from Boarding School Asked Neighbor to Call 911. Now Owners Are Facing Kidnapping Charges

By Samira Asma-Sadeque

Rashad Jamal on Instagram

Inside an Internet Cult: Missing Persons, Nude Meditation, Desperate Families

Nex Benedict, a nonbinary student who died after a beating in school in Oklahoma

Advocacy Groups Call for Removal of Okla. School Superintendent Following Nex Benedict's Death

By Sean Neumann

Connecticut Pastor Accused of Selling Meth Out of Church's Rectory

Connecticut Pastor Accused of Selling Crystal Meth Out of Church's Rectory

A woman in her early 30's opened fire at Lakewood Church, just before 2:00 pm CT on Sunday, February 11, 2024

2 People, Including a Child, Injured in Shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church; Suspected Shooter Killed

By Christine Pelisek

Clayton McGeeney; David Harrington; Ricky Johnson

Brother Speaks Out on Conspiracy Theories After 3 Friends Mysteriously Die: 'Only Deal with Facts'

By Abigail Adams and Wendy Grossman Kantor

Self-proclaimed pastor Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, who set up the Good News International Church in 2003 and is accused of inciting cult followers to starve to death "to meet Jesus", appears in the dock at the court in Malindi on May 2, 2023

Suspected Kenyan Cult Leader Facing Charges in Connection with the Deaths of More Than 429 People

Mikayla Thompson, Gerielle German, MaâKayla Wickerson, Naaman Williams, disappearance of four adults and two children tied to Missouri Cult

6 People Vanished from a Home Near St. Louis in August. Police Suspect They're Involved in an Online Cult

Secrets of Polygamy

A&E's Secrets of Polygamy Goes Inside Religious Sect's Dark Secrets — and Woman's Daring Escape

49 People Treated for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Attending Service at Mormon Church in Utah

Nearly 50 People Treated for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Gas Detected at Mormon Church

'Born in Synanon'.

What Was Synanon, the Violent Cult Featured in New Paramount+ Docuseries?

By Sean Neumann

Amy Carlson, Love Has Won cult leader

HBO Series Explores Bizarre Tale of 'Mother God,' Cult Leader Found Wrapped in Christmas Lights After Death

Yocheved Lifshitz speaks to the media outside Ichilov Hospital after she was released by Hamas last night, on October 24, 2023

Freed Israeli Woman, 85, Describes Being Kidnapped by Hamas and Held Hostage in Tunnel: 'Very, Very Difficult'

By Virginia Chamlee

Mihee Lee, Mother of 'Soldiers of Christ' members arrested in case where woman was starved, beaten and put in trunk

Mother of 3 'Soldiers of Christ' Suspects Now Also Faces Murder Charge, as Chilling Details Revealed

By Christine Pelisek

David Bromberg, 25 years old, an Israeli man who was at the music festival when Hamas attacked

Israeli Music Festival Survivor, 25, Shares Horror as Hamas Attack Began: 'I Was Prepared to Die' (Exclusive)

By Lizzie Hyman

The Garden: Commune or Cult

Eden or the Apocalypse? Survivalists Literally Burn It All Down in The Garden: Commune or Cult (Exclusive)

By JP Mangalindan

American criminal and cult leader Charles Manson (1934 - 2017) traveling on a police van to the Santa Monica Courthouse to appear in court for a hearing regarding the murder of music teacher Gary Hinman, Los Angeles,

Music Executive Gary Stromberg on 'Fearing for My Life' After Finding Out He Was on Charles Manson's 'Hit List'

By Daniela Avila

https://www.in.gov/isp/crime-reporting/delphi-homicide-investigation/ Abigail Joyce "Abby" Williams, 13 Delphi Murder victim Suspect: Richard Allen Liberty Rose Lynn "Libby" German, 14 Delphi Murder victim Credit: Indiana State Police

Delphi Suspect Claims White Nationalist Pagans Killed 2 Teens — Despite Allegedly Confessing to Wife

Matthew Lee Richards, 41, is charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated arson with risk of bodily harm. The victims sustained laceration injuries of varying degrees.

Youth Pastor Accused of Attempting to Kill Wife and 5 Children After Setting Home on Fire

By Michael Lee Simpson

Jill and Derrick Dillard photographed at their home in Siloam Springs, AR, on August 21, 2023.

Why Jill Duggar Dillard Considers Her Family's Church a 'Cult': 'It's Fear-Driven' (Exclusive)

By Gillian Telling and Dory Jackson

Yoga Class Mistaken for 'Mass Killing,' Report Made with 'Best Intentions,' Police Say

Yoga Class Mistaken for 'Mass Killing,' Report Made with 'Best Intentions,' Police Say

By Ingrid Vasquez

Woman Under Investigation After Serving Poisonous Mushrooms to In-Laws Causing Their Deaths

Australian Police Investigating Deaths of 3 After Ingesting Poisonous Mushrooms Served by Daughter-in-Law

By Michael Lee Simpson

McCurtain county Sheriff office scandal

How a Father-and-Son Tandem of Dogged Journalists Exposed the Racist Rant of an Oklahoma Official

By Corin Cesaric

ody bags are laid out at the scene where dozens of bodies have been found in shallow graves in the village of Shakahola, near the coastal city of Malindi, in southern Kenya on April 24, 2023. The number of people who died in connection with KenyaÃ¢ÂÂs doomsday cult has crossed the 400 mark as detectives exhumed 12 more bodies on Monday, July 18, 2023, believed to be followers of a pastor who ordered them to fast to death in order to meet Jesus. Pastor Paul Mackenzie, who is linked to the cult based in a forested area in Malindi, coastal Kenya, is in police custody, along with 36 other suspects. All have yet to be charged.

More Than 400 Found Dead from Kenya Doomsday Cult

The Duggar family appear on NBC News' "Today" show

The Duggar Family’s Religion: All About the Controversial Church IBLP

By Lynsey Eidell

leslie van houten parolled

All About Leslie Van Houten, Who Was Convicted of Killing Leno and Rosemary LaBianca as Manson Follower

By Nicole Acosta

leslie van houten parolled

Former Manson Follower Leslie Van Houten Released from Prison

By Christine Pelisek

Actress Allison Mack (R) departs the United States Eastern District Court after a bail hearing

Allison Mack Released from Prison After Serving Time for Role in Nxivm Sex Cult

By Kimberlee Speakman

Laura Lentz

Ex-Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz's Wife 'Freaked Out' After Finding Him in 'Compromising Position' with Nanny

By Laura Barcella

Teenage boys playing in schoolyard

Penn. School District Must Allow Club Run by The Satanic Temple to Operate, Federal Judge Rules

By Abigail Adams

Gwendlyn Brown, Kody Brown

'Sister Wives' ' Gwendlyn Brown Alleges Dad Kody Was Nearly Arrested in Utah Over Polygamous Lifestyle

F:PHOTOMediaFactory ActionsRequests DropBox47180#Getty ImagesGettyImages-526769052_master.jpg

Netflix Docuseries 'American Apocalypse' Revisits Tragic 1993 Waco Cult Standoff

By Christine Pelisek

Police officers gather at the scene of a shooting that has left at least six people dead and four wounded in Alsterdorf district

Gunman Kills 7 People in Mass Shooting at Jehovah's Witness Hall in Hamburg, Germany

By Brandon Livesay

Linda Kasabian is escorted by Deputy District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi as she arrived to testify in the Sharon Tate murder case, more than six months after she was granted immunity in the bizarre killings. Kasabian was recalled to the stand by attorney Irving Kanarek to testify in the penalty phase of the trial. (Photo by Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

Linda Kasabian, Member of Manson Family Cult and Key Witness in Murder Trials, Dies at 73

By Brandon Livesay

Isabella Pollok

Victim of Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult Leader Who Later Became His 'Lieutenant' Gets 54 Months in Prison

By Christine Pelisek

Religious Revival at Christian Kentucky University Goes on for 2 Weeks, Overwhelms Small Town

'Revival' at Christian School Moves Off Campus After 2 Weeks of Continuous Prayer Overwhelms Ky. Town

By Maria Pasquini

Sarah Lawrence Killer rollout

How I Escaped the Sarah Lawrence Sex Cult After 10 Years of Mental and Physical Abuse

By Gillian Telling

Federal Heights Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall

Man Who Killed Wife in Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall Murder-Suicide Had Protection Order Filed Against Him

By Nicole Acosta

The Watcher. (L to R) Jennifer Coolidge as Karen Calhoun, Naomi Watts as Nora Brannock, Bobby Cannavale as Dean Brannock in episode 101 of The Watcher.

What to Binge Over Winter Break? PEOPLE Editors Share Their Top Picks

By Alex Apatoff

Sarah Krivanek, the American schoolteacher imprisoned in Russia

'Forgotten' American Sarah Krivanek Tells Her Story as She and Brittney Griner Are Freed from Russian Prison

By Juliet Butler

This undated photo provided by the Coconino County Sheriff's Office shows Samuel Bateman, who faces state child abuse charges, and federal charges of tampering with evidence

Arizona Polygamist Leader Had More Than 20 Wives, Including His Own Child, FBI Says

By Laura Barcella

Christopher-Leonard

Inside the Church Cult That Eventually Drove Parents to Join a 12-Hour Beating of Their Sons

By Chris Harris

Susan Denise Atkins, (left), Patricia Krenwinkel and Leslie Van Houten,(right), laugh after receiving the death sentence for their part in the Tate-LaBianca killing at the order of Charles Manson.; SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: (L-R) California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference on October 06, 2022 in San Francisco, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom was joined by the governors of Washington, Oregon and the premier of British Columbia to sign a new climate agreement to further expand the region’s climate partnership. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Charles Manson Follower Patricia Krenwinkel's Parole Blocked by California Gov. Gavin Newsom

By Shafiq Najib

Niki Lopez, Nuwaubian survivor: childhood photos. Brooklyn Mosque.

4 Things You'll Learn About an Egyptian-Themed Sect Hiding Child Sex Abuse

By Christine Pelisek

Marianite Sister Suellen Tennyson

New Orleans Nun Who Was Kidnapped Reveals How She Made It Out Alive: 'Prayer Sustained Me'

By Abigail Adams

Cordon tape seals off an active crime scene.

Man Who Killed Wife, Injured Daughter Had Gone Down QAnon and Election Conspiracy Theory Rabbit Hole: Daughter

By Staff Author

Matthew Taylor Coleman

Matthew Coleman Left Behind a 'Shrine' to His Children in Hotel Before He Allegedly Killed Them

By Steve Helling