New documentary to unravel the mysteries of the Heaven’s Gate cult
It was one of the most shocking events in modern American history and one that continues to generate debate some 25 years later.
Heaven’s Gate was founded in 1974 by Bonnie Nettles and Marshall Applewhite (known as Ti and Do) who managed to recruit several hundred followers within just a couple of years.
The core concept of their belief system was that they would ultimately transform themselves into immortal extraterrestrial beings and ascend to another level of evolutionary existence.
Their dedication to this idea was brought into sharp focus in the most disturbing way imaginable on March 26th, 1997 when authorities discovered 39 members of the group – all of them dead – in a house in San Diego.
It turned out that they had all committed suicide in the belief that their immortal souls would be whisked away on a UFO that was accompanying the approaching comet Halle-Bopp.
Now, 25 years on from the event itself, a new ABC News documentary – “The Cult Next Door” – will delve into the mysteries surrounding Heaven’s Gate and the fate of its followers.
It will feature an interview with former cult member Rio DiAngelo who left before the mass suicide.
The documentary will air on March 11th on ABC and will be available to stream on Hulu after that.
