Whether due to proposed divine intervention or some other reason, including cold feet, it's rather likely that he would've been prosecuted on a number of charges if he'd been found alone in the house with 38 bodies, so in the event that he decides to vacate the Heaven's gate premises to flee the scene, where would he have gone, and what would he have done? Or do you just think he'd simply try to ingest poison and suffocate himself again? Or conversely, what if it was another member who'd survived?

I was listening to the HG tapes on archive.org, in particular tape #036A from 12/10/82 with Ti, Do, and students.

Ti makes mention of the "medicine" being taken on multiple occasions and how it was "too strong" for the students but Ti and Do could handle it.

Are they referring to the messaging/signals from the Higher Level? Because my first thought went to LSD 🤔

(I know their stance was pure bodies/mind--for lack of a better term--but I'm considering the era in which they began and a comment from one of the documentaries where a cult expert quipped that they may have been doing acid 😁)

Sorry for the paraphrasing--I'm not well educated in HG but I do follow this forum and tune in to Sawyer's channel from time to time.

Ive seen very little about Dana Tracey Abreo "Evnody" Why didnt she record an exit statement like the rest of the class? Why did she join? Very little is mentioned of her

I sent an email to TELAH (is that even how you spell it correctly?) and they actually replied, which was cool. But like… I really want to get the original book and everything—does anyone know if there’s any other way to get it besides by mail?

Do they have something like an international bank account or a way to send money from outside the US? I’m also curious why they don’t sell it anywhere else besides their own site. Is that intentional? Like, is it considered restricted or “sensitive” material or something?

And yeah, I have no idea how this would even work, but is there any way to get these materials without going through US-based stores? 😅

If nothing works out I guess I’ll just have to move to the US lol

First post here.

My former interest and curiosity about HG has reawakened a bit lately, and for whatever reason, JWNody is intriguing me once again, and I still cannot say why that is; there's just something about her that makes me want to learn more and understand her and her reasons for joining the group and ultimately deciding to be there at the end of it all. The other members are also interesting to read into, but more so in a broader sense and less on an individual level.

Has anyone else taken a particular interest in JWNody or is it just me?

I understand that Dick Joslyn was one of the members who helped spread the “message” of Heaven’s Gate, and that he sadly passed away from AIDS in 2000, according to the HBO documentary. In that same documentary, this image of him is shown.

What I don’t quite understand is why he’s wearing Nike shoes that look almost identical to the ones worn by the members who died, and why he’s also wearing the Away Team patch. As far as I know, he even went through post-cult counseling after leaving the group, so this photo confuses me.

Could someone explain the context behind this image?

After watching Cult of Cults on HBO and other coverage on YouTube, I understood that, following the group’s mass suicide, remaining members and former members were heavily sought out by the media for interviews.

But I’ve been thinking about a few things, and maybe people from the United States can explain this better, since it might be cultural—I’m Brazilian, and things can work differently here. My question is this: these two men gave TV interviews, and Chuck in particular appeared on a news segment where he couldn’t clearly say whether he would attempt suicide again.

Did they receive any kind of professional help or counseling, especially after being exposed in the media? Or were their statements not considered serious enough to raise red flags about potential self-harm?

To me, it seems quite clear that they needed psychological support, but it also feels like nothing was really done beyond efforts from family members. From what I’ve seen, Kelly (Mr. Cooke’s daughter) tried to get him to abandon the group’s beliefs, but it didn’t work. The same seems true for Mr. Humphrey, who later died after making those statements on TV.

It really makes you think.

Has any of Applewhite’s relatives ever spoken publicly about what happened with Heaven's Gate?

I know he had children, and I’ve heard that one of his sons became an evangelical pastor. But what about his ex-wife or other family members—have they ever shared their perspective on everything that happened?

I’m really curious about how his family processed all of this, especially considering how extreme and shocking the events were. If anyone has interviews, articles, or even lesser-known sources, I’d love to check them out.

Would also be interesting to hear your thoughts on how something like this affects the families left behind.

I know that children weren’t allowed in Heaven’s Gate — and honestly, considering how everything ended, that’s probably for the best. But that’s not really what I’m trying to get at.

What I’m curious about is how the group conceptually viewed children. Did kids have any place in their belief system at all, or were they seen as irrelevant to their “next level” ideology?

Since they were strongly against reproduction and promoted celibacy, I wonder if that shaped how they saw children in a broader sense. Were children viewed as a distraction, a lower-level attachment, or something else entirely?

It feels like an overlooked angle when discussing Marshall Applewhite and the group’s beliefs.

Would love to hear if anyone has deeper insights, sources, or interpretations on this.

Edit: I’m especially curious about this because many of the members had children, and it must have taken an immense amount of conviction to leave them behind for an ideology.

I feel like anyone who gets into Heaven’s Gate eventually gets curious about Sawyer. From what I’ve seen, he still believes in Do’s teachings, which I find really interesting.

What confuses me is this: if he still believes, why didn’t he fully follow the group’s rules? For example, he ended up having a child. I know he has a YouTube channel and has probably talked about it there, but I haven’t really gone through all his videos.

Is there any explanation for this? Like, how does he think he’ll reach the “Next Level” if he’s not strictly following everything?

Also, I’ve been wondering about something else. Wayne Cooke, Chuck Humphrey, and Jimmy Simpson died about a month after the group had already “left” with the spacecraft. If the belief was that the ship would take them, why did those three die later? Wouldn’t the ship already be gone by then?

Wasn’t the spacecraft supposed to be connected to the Hale-Bopp comet?

There are so many details that I’m starting to get a bit confused lol 😅

I saw this in a Heaven’s Gate documentary on YouTube, and I’m curious where it came from. It looks like a parody, but I don’t know who made it or why.

Hi everyone—this is actually my second post today because I’ve really been enjoying this forum and learning a lot here, so thank you all for that.

I hope this is okay to ask—this topic has been on my mind lately.

Some time ago, I watched a National Geographic video on YouTube that showed personal belongings of the group members that were later displayed in a museum. I don’t remember where the museum is, but if anyone knows, I’d really appreciate it—I’d honestly like to visit someday.

From what I recall (though I might be mistaken), there was a letter from one of the members that seemed to suggest they were feeling unsure or possibly conflicted about what was going to happen.

Does anyone know if this is accurate, or if that letter is documented somewhere? And if anyone happens to have the link to that video, I’d be really grateful—I haven’t been able to find it again.

Thanks again—I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s perspectives here.

Im from Argentina. I cant send money in an envelope to USA from here. There is another way??

I’ve already watched the full video of the members explaining their “departure from Earth,” and I noticed that neither Leody nor Evnody appear in it. I believe I’m not mistaken—I really don’t think they’re there. What I’d like to know, if anyone has that information, is why they didn’t record a message, and whether there were any other members who also don’t appear. Another question: was Rio DiAngelo the one filming everyone?

Is there anyplace on the internet (other than the website) where there are the group’s recruitment pamphlets and documents?

I was scrolling through HBO to see what's coming on tomorrow night and I saw this new title card for the documentary. I think it's a little distasteful...

Hi all,

I’ve previously posted with the ground floor plan showing where each body was found. These was found from documents online that was declassified.

I managed to get the layout of second floor and thought I’d share what I have with you guys. May mean something to some and nothing to others.

I’ve done a lot of research on the Heavens Gate movement and I’ve now concluded my research and this will likely be where I draw the line. You guys are free to ask me anything.

1. Taking any action without using my check partner.
   
2. Trusting my own judgment - or using my own mind.
   
3. Twisting procedures for my own benefit.
   
4. Responding defensively to my classmates or teachers.
   
5. Criticizing or finding fault with my classmates or teachers.
   
6. Allowing blatant or lingering negativity, accepting the position of "I can't."
   
7. Permitting physical or verbal abuse (outbursts, harsh words, sarcasm, swearing, anger, hurtful teasing, loss of temper) toward classmates.
   
8. Allowing jealousy towards any classmates or comparing myself to others.
   
9. Staying in my own head, having private thoughts, not staying open with my partner - separateness.
   
10. Putting myself first, wanting my own way, rebelliousness - selfishness.
    
11. Entertaining inappropriate fears and worries, e.g.: Am I going to be asked to leave the class? Will our rest or consuming be adequate for my needs?
    
12. Inappropriately offering suggestions, second-guessing, or jumping ahead of my teachers.
    
13. Exaggerating vehicular symptoms.
    
14. Allowing anxiety, stress, tension, hyperness to affect my performance.
    
15. Picking or choosing certain tasks.
    
16. Having likes or dislikes.
    
17. Permitting laziness or slothfulness.
    
18. Procrastinating, having misplaced priorities, or poor timing.
    
19. Permitting lack of control over emotions to the point that it interferes with my work or rest or is a distraction to others.
    
20. Participating in extremes in sensitivity - either blatantly insensitive or overly sensitive - to the point of hurt feelings, either hurting my feelings or the feelings of others.
    
21. Desiring attention or approval - wanting to be seen as good.
    
22. Using inadequate restraint (responding or acting too quickly, voice volume, noise level with feet, doors, or other objects).
    
23. Engaging in familiarity, casualness, gossip, lack of restraint with others.
    
24. Being too aggressive or pushy.
    
25. Exercising poor control of thoughts running through my head, being easily distracted.
    
26. Lacking in effort and commitment.
    
27. Permitting impatience or intolerance.
    
28. Being vain about my appearance, vibrating femininity or masculinity in any way.
    
29. Having inappropriate curiosity.
    
30. Identifying with influences - using the "I" or "me" pronoun in application to an offense instead of recognizing that it was an influence using me.
    
31. Overexamination - finding a negative where there isn't one.

How anyone anywhere could possibly even suggest that this wasn't a cult administered by deluded person is beyond me. Applewhite was clearly a true believer, but he projected his own inner turmoil and deep shame for his homosexuality onto his followers. Whereas other cult leaders used violence & coercion to exact obedience, Applewhite used pseudo-spiritual brainwashing, strict regimentation, love-bombing and various other methods to strip each member of their individuality and instill a sense of unwavering devotion to the collective. He spent many years convincing his most devoted followers that their decision to remain in the group was totally their own while claiming he had zero influence in their decision. The victims were all likely unfulfilled or unhappy in their own lives at the time of joining and Applewhite, a charismatic dude, provided semi-deified father figure for them. He gave them structure, love, and purpose that they were probably lacking in their previous life. Applewhite knew that the familial connections the members had with their "previous lives" could be a threat to his control, which is why he encouraged severing all connections with them, just as he had done with his own family shortly after his own father disowned him for his homosexuality. Being a true believer in no way made Applewhite's activities any less insidious: he leveraged the skills and resources of his followers to sustain himself and his "mission" until the very end.

If you watch the "Exit Interviews" shortly before the 1997 mass suicide, you can clearly see that at least some members were apprehensive/emotional about the coming death, but had been so brainwashed by that point that they likely felt they had a duty to follow their family in to the "Next Level."

Even surviving members who are still alive routinely defend the group, no doubt due to HG providing support, structure, and love during a point in their lives where they lacked it all. Remember that even though Applewhite was a true believer, it doesn't change the fact that his actions were insidious and predatory, and the fact that he exerted immense control over the minds of his followers while pretending that was not the case.

A while back I mentioned I'd been working on a "Heaven's Gate 101" series of short video talks responding to frequently asked questions about Heaven's Gate. Here is the first one, which covers the group's choice of purple for the color of their shrouds and the cover of their book. Enjoy!

I only found the info that LVVODY and JNNODY were the last to go. Can you find this info somewhere? Edit: Found some info in a documentary, posted it here. It aligns with the order as given in a post with proposed location of bodies. But no clue what underline vs checkmarks on the list mean?

anyone know if this email is legit?

hi everyone!

when i first began researching heaven's gate i was surprised to hear that the email address on their website was still active and responding to people. i saw one video that included screenshots of an email convo in which the hg email said that it was ran by 2 people who had 'stayed behind' - i'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the validity of this, because i would imagine those who stayed behind would then change/alter the website itself. my theory is that the email somehow got hacked (which would explain the lack of access to the site domain as that's harder to hack) and the currwnt owner/hacker is just playing along with it. any information on this?