Cults

Charles Manson's cult killings fueled by 'perfect storm' as theories get new analysis: criminal profiler

Theories on Charles Manson's motive for the infamous cult killings are investigated in a new Netflix documentary about the notorious Manson Family murders in California.

Crime February 20

Zizian leader Jack LaSota: Who is transgender, vegan cult head linked to border agent killing?

The Zizians, led by Jack LaSota, have been described as a radical vegan transgender cult and have ties to six deaths across the United States in the past decade.

VIDEO February 18

Transgender vegan 'cult' members arrested

Post Millennial senior editor Andy Ngo unpacks what led to the arrests of members of an apparent transgender vegan cult on 'The Ingraham Angle.'

Police and Law Enforcement February 17

Police arrest alleged leader of anarchist vegan cult tied to series of crimes, including CBP agent murder

An alleged cult leader and member wanted in connection to the murder of a Vermont Border Patrol agent were arrested on unrelated charges over the weekend, Maryland State Police confirmed.

True Crime January 19

Convicted NXIVM cult leader's defense accuses FBI of evidence tampering

Attorneys for convicted NXIVM sex trafficker Keith Raniere say defense experts have uncovered "provable" evidence of tampering in their quest for a new trial.

Cults November 15

Cult leader Charles Manson confessed to additional murders in newly revealed phone call

Charles Manson, the man behind several gruesome murders in Hollywood, confessed to additional murders during a phone call from prison being aired by Peacock for the first time.

Cults October 31

‘Cult’-run Yellow Deli gets rave reviews across US as escaped members dish on fear behind closed doors

The Twelve Tribes, a group characterized as a fundamentalist cult, funds its operations through an unassuming restaurant franchise in numerous states.

True Crime October 23

'Doomsday mom' Lori Vallow granted mental health exam ahead of second murder trial

An Arizona judge has granted 'cult mom' Lori Vallow's request for a mental competency evaluation ahead of her second trial. Vallow killed her two youngest children in 2019.

California September 21

California cult led by 'master manipulator' committed brutal murders, detective says: 'One body after another'

Dennis Colwell, Darlene “Emmie" Paris, Franklin Raper and Richard Ritchey were murdered on May 21, 1990 by Gerald Cruz and his followers from "The Cause," a cult in Salida, California.

True Crime August 16

Utah mom kept missing daughter, 5, hidden in cult 'compound' for months with help from adult sons: prosecutors

A Utah woman has been charged with kidnapping after she allegedly brought her daughter from Utah to a cult-like religious compound in Missouri with her family's help.

True Crime June 22

Family desperate for return of relative who joined 7M, 'brainwashing cult' behind viral TikTok dancing videos

A new docuseries sheds light on what an expert believes is a growing "brainwashing cult" that operates under the guise of a religion, which is spreading throughout the country

Russia April 9, 2024

'Satanic ritual murders' result in lengthy prison sentences for 3 Russians

Four Russians were arrested in connection with three murders described as "satanic ritual killings." The perpetrators lured two of their victims into the forest to kill them in secret.

CRIME April 7, 2024

Synanon rehab center turned from helping to brainwashing with 'communal living experiment,' docuseries reveals

The Synanon Foundation started as a heroin rehabilitation center in Santa Monica in 1958, but by the 1970s, it had transformed into a cult with thousands of members.

Africa March 26, 2024

Kenya starts to hand over to relatives the bodies of 429 members of a doomsday cult

Kenya's government began returning to relatives the exhumed bodies of more than 400 members of a doomsday cult; leader of the cult is accused of asking followers to starve themselves.

Africa March 15, 2024

Self-styled 'prophet' charged with exploiting 251 children through labor in Zimbabwe

A man identifying himself as a prophet has been charged with exploiting children in Zimbabwe after police raided his compound, where he led a religious sect.

ENTERTAINMENT March 1, 2024

'One Tree Hill' star Bethany Joy Lenz names 'sinister' cult she allegedly spent a decade in

Bethany Joy Lenz announced her new memoir, "Dinner for Vampires," which focuses on the actress's life, including her experience as part of a cult for 10 years.

Africa February 20, 2024

Suspects in Kenyan starvation cult case to be hospitalized after hunger strike

A Kenyan magistrate ordered doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie and 94 of his followers to be hospitalized after they appeared visibly frail in court following a hunger strike.

Africa January 16, 2024

Kenya doomsday cult pastor, followers face charges including murder and child torture

Kenya has ordered 95 people from a doomsday cult to be charged with various crimes, including murder, manslaughter, radicalization, cruelty and child torture.

Africa January 9, 2024

Kenyan court gives prosecutors ultimatum in case against alleged starvation cult leader

A Kenyan court warned prosecutors Tuesday that it will release, among others, alleged doomsday cult leader Paul Mackenzie, if he is not charged in two weeks.

CRIME January 9, 2024

Woman allegedly killed by 'Soldiers of Christ' likely beaten 'to exorcise demon spirit': expert

A grisly murder of a 33-year-old Georgia woman allegedly at the hands of the "Soldiers of Christ" has characteristics of a fanatic religious group, a cult escapee told Fox News Digital

Missing Persons January 8, 2024

Missouri police search for 6 missing people who followed so-called social media prophet

Six people, including two children, have been missing from St. Louis since August. Police have linked them to a so-called online prophet named Rashad Jamal.

CRIME January 4, 2024

Church of Scientology is a 'criminal enterprise' that should face Mafia-like RICO charges: lawsuit

The Church of Scientology was called a "criminal enterprise" in a new court filing, which alleges leaders covered up actor Danny Masterson's rape and sexual abuse of members.

Mexican Cartel Violence December 22, 2023

5 appalling crimes around the world in 2023

Child serial killers, dead bodies recovered from a Christian cult, and a violent takedown of El Chapo's son in Mexico were among some shocking crime stories this year.

True Crime September 29, 2023

Prosecutors in Delphi murders case call pagan cult ritual narrative 'colorful, dramatic' and 'unprofessional'

Prosecutors in the Delphi murders case say a memo from suspect Richard Allen's defense team alleging that Libby German and Abby Williams were killed in a ritual is "fanciful."

True Crime September 20, 2023

Girls killed in Delphi murders were sacrificed in pagan cult ritual, defense claims

Attorneys for Richard Allen, the prime suspect in the 2017 murders of two girls in Delphi, Indiana, are now claiming the girls died in a "ritualistic sacrifice."

Cults August 9, 2023

'One Tree Hill’ star Bethany Joy Lenz suffered alleged ‘spiritual abuse’ during years in a cult

Bethany Joy Lenz, of "One Tree Hill" fame, is writing a memoir that will include her experiences during her 10 years in a cult, during which she said she suffered "spiritual abuse."

Cults July 19, 2023

Joaquin Phoenix, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rose McGowan among Hollywood stars linked to cults

Cults can be strange, offbeat or downright terrifying. Glenn Close and Michelle Pfeiffer have both shared stories of cults, along with Joaquin Phoenix, Bethany Joy Lenz and more.

TV July 11, 2023

Bethany Joy Lenz of 'One Tree Hill' says she spent 10 years in a cult: 'There's a lot to tell'

Bethany Joy Lenz discussed whether she'd want to publish a book about her 10 years in a cult. The "One Tree Hill" star said it's complicated for "legal" reasons.

True Crime July 8, 2023

Leslie Van Houten, Manson family killer, to be released on parole after Newsom drops challenge

Leslie Van Houten, a Charles Manson follower and convicted killer, will be paroled in weeks, according to her lawyer. Gov. Newsom dropped his efforts to keep Van Houten behind bars.

Africa May 5, 2023

Leader of massive Kenyan death cult to be held without bond

Paul Mackenzie, a Kenyan pastor and cult leader who allegedly convinced at least 110 congregants to starve themselves to death, is being held in jail for at least five more days.

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