Ep 2. Heaven's Gate

In this episode of Murder Made Me Famous, we delve into the bizarre and haunting tale of the Heaven's Gate cult. The story chronicles the cult's leader Marshall Applewhite and his followers' decision to commit mass suicide in 1997. This tragedy rocked the world and catapulted this little-known group into the global spotlight.

Throughout the episode, we explore Applewhite's early life and the creation and development of the cult, which was founded as a UFO religious group in the 1970s. Viewers will learn about the group's beliefs, including their belief that their bodies were just vessels, and that the only way to access the afterlife was through physical death.

As we delve deeper into the cult's history, viewers will learn about Applewhite's leadership style and how he used manipulation and coercion to maintain control over his followers. He was known for their strict rules of conduct, including celibacy, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and a vow of poverty. Applewhite was determined to keep his followers away from any outside influence, ensuring that they would remain loyal only to him.

As the episode progresses, we hear from former members of the cult about their experiences, touching on the psychological manipulation and abuse perpetrated by Applewhite. We also hear from law enforcement officials who were involved in the investigation, highlighting the challenges they faced in trying to understand the motivation behind the cult's actions.

The episode touches on the events leading up to the mass suicide, including the group's decision to rent a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California, where they would eventually take their own lives. Viewers will learn about the preparations made leading up to the mass suicide, including the group's decision to consume a lethal mixture of barbiturates and vodka.

The episode doesn't shy away from the horror and tragedy that followed, as footage from inside the mansion is shown, revealing the haunting sight of the cult members' lifeless bodies lying side by side on bunk beds, wearing matching Nike sneakers and black sweatpants. The aftermath of the tragedy is also discussed, with a focus on the impact of the mass suicide on the families of the victims and the community at large.

The episode concludes with a discussion of the impact of Heaven's Gate, including the lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of the cult. The episode is a haunting reminder of the power of manipulation and the dangers of religious extremism and serves as a sobering cautionary tale.

Overall, Murder Made Me Famous season 4 episode 2, titled Heaven's Gate, is a chilling and thought-provoking exploration into one of the most shocking and tragic events in recent history.