He grew up as a member of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints. Jeffrey lundgren got his start as a minister with the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints rlds, a relatively large offshoot of the mainstream latterday saint organization also called mormons. On this episode we had emily g thompson the author of true crime books and creator of morbidology podcast. Jeffrey lundgren is executed cult killer meets needle. At 320 pages, the book seems too long, and some points are covered in too. Both books are well researched, but earleys focuses much more on the dynamics of the group. Former kirtland cult members talk jeffrey lundgren, avery. Lundgrens wife, alice, 39, was sentenced to five consecutive life terms for the murders, for which she blamed her husband. An account of the crimes of jeffrey lundgren describes how the fanatical. The two remaining members of a religious cult sought in the ritualistic slayings of an ohio family of. A judge today sentenced religious cult leader jeffrey don lundgren to death for killing a fivemember family belonging to his cult. Cult leader seized in familys killing the new york times. Murderer who said he was prophet is executed nbc news. The lead villain in the plot was a burly man named jeffrey lundgren, a petty thief who relocated his family from missouri to kirtland in 1984 to work as a tour guide at the churchs original temple.
International cult expert believes parents of missing rexburg. George saunders on the death penalty life and style the. Jul 16, 2012 a central question in the story of jeffrey lundgren was how his strange version of religion attracted followers who would do his bidding up to and including murder. Jeffrey lundgren, 56, died by injection at the southern ohio correctional facility. Jeffrey lundgren s legacy jeanne murphey in lundgren, the village with of the kirtland, assistance ohio, of several on the of evening his male of cult april followers, 17, 1989, murdered jeffrey lundgren, with the assistance of several of his male cult. This is a horror story worthy of anything stephen king could write. Jan 08, 1990 federal agents today arrested a religious cult leader wanted in the slayings of a family of five in ohio and numerous weapons were seized, including an ar15 assault rifle, the authorities said. Ohio executes cult leader jeffrey lundgren for killing family of 5 followers in 1989. Mar 31, 2020 united states court of appeals,sixth circuit.
Lundgren orders 12 members of his splinter mormon cult to kill dennis avery, his wife cheryl, and their 3 daughters, aged 15, and 7. Kevin currie hadnt seen jeffrey lundgren in 10 years when he. The true and terrible story of the mormon cult murders. He also provides greater details on cult leader jeff lundgren s growing psychosis. Earleys prophet of death describes the 1989 mormon cult murders of the avery family in kirtland ohio. An account of the crimes of jeffrey lundgren and his family describes how lundgren lured. It is amazing how easily led some folks are, and how demented some leaders are. Part 2 cult leader and mass murderer jeffrey lundgren. Cult leaders son sentenced to 120 years in prison for. Cult beliefs may appear unusual or bizarre to those outside of the organization, which can make it difficult for an outsider to know whether a belief is cult related or delusional. In his request to join the lawsuit, lundgren, 56, said he is at even greater risk of experiencing pain and suffering during the procedure than other inmates because he is overweight and diabetic.
Lundgren claimed to be a prophet, and asked his followers to financially support him before forcing them to help him murder the avery. According to the book the kirtland massacre, lundgren enrolled at central missouri state university, where he met alice keeler, a fellow member of the rlds church. Jeffrey, who lived in missouri, but moved his cult to ohio. April 1987 dennis avery, who became a devoted follower of jeffery lundgren in missouri, moves to kirtland. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The mormon blood atonement killings kindle edition by earley, pete. The true and terrible story of the mormon cult murders cynthia stalter sasse, peggy murphy widder on. Oct 07, 1990 damon lundgren, the 19yearold son of a cult leader, was sentenced friday to a minimum 120 years in prison for the slayings of four members of a family, killings he attributed to his father. Jeffrey lundgren headed splinter group from reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints, executed october 24, 2006, for multiple murders. Cult leader convicted of 5 killings in ohio the new york times.
Jeffrey don lundgren may 3, 1950 october 24, 2006 was a selfproclaimed prophet, former leader of a cult group, and convicted mass murderer of five people. The episode begins with an interview about emilys books and how her podcast came to be and then we get into 4 cult cases. April 19, 1984 jeffrey lundgren, his wife, alice, and four children move from missouri to kirtland. Lundgren was one of those unfortunate types who was severely abused by his father during his childhood. Predictions and prophecies about the end of the world by sylvia browne. Before i begin, i need to state that not all of the cults discussed in this book fit my criteria of what makes a cult, but it must also be said that i use a pretty strict measure that requires a single charismatic leader, alienation from family and friends, no financial control for. Twenty years ago today, cult leader jeffrey lundgren executed the avery family on a farm commune in kirtland, ohio. Nov 25, 2006 according to ap, ohio cult leader jeffrey lundgren claimed to be too obese for execution and has joined a lawsuit which states that the way chemicals in lethal injection are administered makes. Alice lundgren, wife of cult leader jeffrey lundgren, was scheduled to begin working in a san diego doctors office the day after she, her husband and teenage son were arrested and charged in the. Within months, lundgren declared that god had spoken to him, asking him to lead a revolution in kirtland.
According to his allegations, he was severely abused as a child, particularly by his father. Prophet of death is exhaustively researched and thus due to the nature of the details makes for an exhausting experience. Childrens books owned by little karen avery were left in the dirt. I only gave it 3 stars as i found some parts of the book repetitive and there where quite a few typos. Archived information about jeffrey lundgren and the kirtland, ohio. Cult leader convicted of killing family of 5 executed in ohio fox news fox news. Kirtland, ohio ohio executed a religious cult leader tuesday for the murder of a family of five followers who were taken one at a time to a barn, bound and shot to death. Kirtland cult member richard brand to be released from. An account of the crimes of jeffrey lundgren describes how the fan.
News of this slaying was not the kind of national attention my church wanted, especially when the media reported lundgren s membership in the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints. This page contains information the cult education institute has gathered about jeffrey lundgren. He was the leader of a small group of about 2 dozen members that broke away from the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints rlds, now called the community of christ. In accordance with these beliefs, or at the behest of a charismatic leader. Federal agents today arrested a religious cult leader wanted in the slayings of a family of five in ohio and numerous weapons were seized, including an ar15 assault rifle, the authorities said. Until recently, none of the kirtland cult members cult leader jeffrey lundgren is on. Laban featured in the book of mormon and the lost plates containing hitherto. The story of jeffrey lundgren, a cult leader who convinced his followers to conspire to murder five members of an ohio f. Killer cult leader jeffrey don lundgren is born kirtland, ohio, april 17, 1989. Jeffrey lundgren was born on may 3, 1950, in independence, missouri. Lundgren led a latter day saint movementbased cult in kirtland where he. Boyle takes you inside the twisted thinking of 11 different cult leaders.
Abusing others, actions typical of cult leaders, became a way of life for. Watch american justice season 11, episode 10 the cult murders. The book concerns jeffrey lundgren and his followers. Lundgren led a latter day saint movement based cult in kirtland where he and several of his followers murdered the avery family, fellow members of his cult, for which he was convicted and sentenced to death.
An account of the crimes of jeffrey lundgren describes how the fanatical preacher used his hypnotic oratory and his twisted interpretations of religious texts to justify the excesses of his churchperversion, sexual slavery, and human sacrifice. Lundgren cleaved off a small sect of devotees cultivated while working as a tour guide at kirtland temple, a historically important church of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints. A federal judge on tuesday delayed next weeks execution of cult leader jeffrey lundgren to allow him to join a lawsuit by five other death row inmates challenging the states use of lethal injection. The cult files explores the history, features and beliefs of seventeen cults through the ages. A selfprofessed prophet, he formed a religious cult in kirtland ohio, after being dismissed as a lay minister of the mormon church in 1987. How jeffrey lundgren and the kirtland cult killed the. Mitrovich sentenced him for his role in the deaths of dennis avery and averys three daughters. Lundgren led a latter day saint movement based cult in kirtland where he and several of his followers murdered the avery family, fellow members of his cult, for which he. Jeffrey don lundgren 19502006 find a grave memorial. Thirteen cult members were charged in the case, including alice lundgren, 55, jeffrey lundgren s wife at the time of the killings, and their son, damon, now 35.
In january 1990, paramilitary religious cult leader jeffrey lundgren and 12 of his followers were indicted in lake county common pleas court in connection with the executionstyle murders in april. News of this slaying was not the kind of national attention my church wanted, especially when the media reported lundgren s membership in the. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Ohio executes cult leader jeffrey lundgren for killing. Destructive mormon splinter group, led by jeffrey lundgren this was a destructive, doomsday cult founded and led by jeffrey lundgren.
Cults are charismatic groups defined by members adherence to a set of beliefs and teachings that differ from those of mainstream religions. Time has healed the city of faith and beauty kirtland cult killings. Jeffrey lundgren, a selfproclaimed prophet and former cult leader, was executed in 2006 for murdering a family of five in the summer of 1989, including a 15yearold girl, a yearold girl and a 6yearold girl who were all shot in the head. Jeffrey lundgren, the man who started the infamous kirtland cult, was a personality feared more than loved, say exmembers in deadly cults on oxygen. Lundgren led a reformed latter day saint rlds movementbased cult in kirtland where he and several of his followers murdered the avery family, fellow members of his cult, for which he was convicted and sentenced to death. Ive read my share of books on cults and grew up in a town consisting of mostly. Cincinnati enquirer cult leader who killed five is executed, by john mccarthy. Like cynthia sasse and peggy widders the kirtland massacre lj 10191, earleys prophet of death recounts the 1989 morman cult murders of the avery family. Jeffrey lundgren, reorganized church dissidents, and modern. For currie, who has worked at the veterans hospitals in both. Jeffrey lundgren, reorganized church dissidents, and. Kirtland cult killings were mandated by god, former member says kirtland cult killings. But one of the worst things to ever happen in kirtland, ohio, was the 1989 murders of dennis and cheryl avery and their three daughters by cult leader jeffrey lundgren and his followers. In this episode we finish covering the truly horrible case of cult leader jeffrey lundgren.
Cult leader convicted, could be sentenced to deathpara. He was married to alice keeler who was also convicted of conspiracy to commit mass murder. Trina, 15, rebecca, and karen, 7 were executed by cult leader jeffrey lundgren in 1989 and buried in a muddy hole. Early writes about cult leader jeff lundgren s growing psychosis and the dynamics of the group, many of who were raised with the rlds tradition of prophecy, visions, etc.
Cult leader jeffrey ludgren killed dennis avery, 49, his wife cheryl, 46, and their three children trina, 15, rebecca, and karen. Jeffrey lundgren lundgren is among the most vile cult leaders in history. Jeffrey don lundgren may 3, 1950 october 24, 2006 was an american selfproclaimed prophet and mass murderer, who on april 17, 1989, killed five people in kirtland, ohio. Dec 22, 2015 jeffrey lundgren lundgren is among the most vile cult leaders in history. Kirtland cult member richard brand to be released from prison. How jeffrey lundgren and the kirtland cult executed a family of 5 in their. Kraft and kathryn johnson are processed into the lake county jail as the last of those charged in the avery murders to be returned. Lucasville, ohio a religious cult leader was executed tuesday for murdering a family of five followers who were taken one at a time to a barn, bound and shot to death. Ten years later, kirtland cult members break their silence. Cult leader, jeffrey lundgren executed jeffrey lundgren claimed the divine drove him to murder, and that his extreme weight would make his execution a cruel and unusual punishment. Kevin currie hadnt seen jeffrey lundgren in 10 years when he opened the door to a sacred mormon temple in kirtland, ohio, in 1984. Ten years later, kirtland cult members break their silence cleveland plain dealerapril 11, 1999 by amanda garrett and maggi martin standing in the dim light of the barn that april evening, ron luff could see the glint of his preachers pistol amid the shadows of the muddy pit. Ohio executes cult leader jeffrey lundgren for killing family of five jeffrey lundgren tuesday october 24, 2006 religion news blog lucasville, ohio ohio executed a religious cult leader tuesday for murdering a family of five followers who were.
The rlds church has a membership of about 250,000, and is. Lundgren, 56, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection oct. Betty mitchell, warden, respondentappelleethe kansas city star, 25 august, 2006 cult leader to be executedend of days. A fanatical cult leader faces trial in ohio for the brutal. He discussed the book of revelations and the book of mormon, and referred to. Dec 08, 2015 jeffrey don lundgren was a selfproclaimed prophet, former leader of a cult group, and convicted mass murderer of five people. His family were members of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints. People like jeffrey lundgren and his followers, who are subjects of deadly cults, airing on oxygen sundays at 87c. Jeffrey lundgren, 39 years old, a former sunday school teacher in the reorganized church of jesus christ of latterday saints, was arrested. Choosing the 11 most infamous cults and cult leaders in american history is hard the united states is a breeding ground for cults and theres a lot of competition.
This was a destructive, doomsday cult founded and led by jeffrey lundgren. On this episode we talked about cults with a special guest. Lundgren and his followers in kirtland, ohio, former members of the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints renamed in 2001 the community of christ killed in cold blood the five member avery family. Cult leaders wife waives extradition in ohio killings.
From my studies of cults and cult leaders during my time in the fbi, i learned early on that there are some things to look for that, at a minimum, say caution, this individual is dangerous, and. A fanatical cult leader faces trial in ohio for the brutal murder of a family of five. Lundgren was born in missouri and raised in the reorganized church of jesus christ of latter day saints rlds. In a dispute over finances and what lundgren felt was group loyality, he shot and killed. How jeffrey lundgren and the kirtland cult killed the averys, a. Former kirtland cult members talk jeffrey lundgren, avery family murder crime news. Lundgren, a cult leader who said bible passages told him to kill the family, made a brief statement before he was executed. Jeffrey lundgren, convicted of killing a family of five 16 years ago, was executed in ohio tuesday. Cult leader jeffrey lundgren says hes too obese for execution. Lundgren twisted theological conceptions into bizarre expressions and his group served as a place for the rallying of dissidents over the reorganized churchs liberalization. If you havent already, please be sure to listen to part 1 of this case. Lucasville, ohio ohio executed a religious cult leader today for murdering a family of five followers who were taken one at a time to a barn, bound and shot to death. Cult member was set to work as a receptionist before. In the end, though, neither god nor the courts would spare lundgren from lethal injection.
The kirtland cult jeffrey lundgren please kindly help to have at least subscribers for more updates at. In august 1990, a lake county jury found cult leader jeffrey lundgren guilty of the kidnapping and murder of five of his followers, all members of the avery family. Lucasville, ohio jeffrey lundgren, the selfprofessed prophet who killed five. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading prophet of death. Timeline of events the newsherald, ohiodecember 30, 2014 by david glasier. Riveting, sometimes amusing, often horrifying stories show the inside workings of these groups, and trace their history and often their demise. The onetime disciple who testified against his leader jeffrey lundgren about the kirtland cult killings is expected to be released from prison as early as march 29. Still, this may be the better book for a psychological profile of a killer and the cult who assisted in the murders of five people. Charles manson leader of the manson family who served life in prison for first degree murder until his death in 2017. April 10, 1990 municipal court judge in san diego orders cult leader jeffrey lundgren and followers daniel d.
The wife of cult leader jeffrey lundgren volunteered tuesday to return to ohio, where she and 12 other cult members, including her husband and oldest son, are charged in the ritualistic slayings. Damon lundgren, 19, stood with folded hands and appeared calm as lake county common pleas judge paul h. List of religious leaders convicted of crimes wikipedia. He also provides greater details on cult leader jeff lundgrens growing psychosis.
Painesville, ohio religious cult leader jeffrey don lundgren was convicted wednesday of killing a fivemember family as part of what investigators said was a human sacrifice. Cult education institute group information archives. Jeffrey don lundgren may 3, 1950 october 24, 2006 was an american selfproclaimed prophet and mass murderer, who on april 17, 1989, killed 5 people in kirtland, ohio. Lundgren was a radical, violent, abusive, utterly mad, coprophiliac yes cult leader of the mormon offshoot variety. Ross said he sees similarities between chad daybell and jeffrey lundgren, a prominent cult leader who recruited members from the flds church and was executed in 2006. He gives you the stories behind the rise and fall of the leaders and their cults. Cult leader jeffrey ludgren killed his followers for not. Jeffrey don lundgren may 3, 1950 october 24, 2006 was an american self proclaimed prophet and mass murderer, who on april 17, 1989, killed five people in kirtland, ohio. Cult leader who killed family of 5 followers is executed. How jeffrey lundgren and the kirtland cult killed the averys. Cult leader convicted of killing family of 5 executed in. A seventh cult member was deemed unfit for trial and was ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment. According to the book the kirtland massacre, lundgren enrolled at. Jeffrey lundgren the kirtland massacre mass murder of.