July 26, 1970 - Glenn Helzer
Helzer built a small, devoted following around his self-declared prophetic authority, then directed that group toward a killing spree framed as sacred obligation — murders committed not for personal gain alone, but as steps toward seizing control of an entire religious institution. The Children of Thunder case stands out for the ideological architecture behind it: extortion and homicide channeled through millenarian belief, with Helzer casting himself as the instrument of Christ's return.
From Wikipedia
Glen Taylor Helzer (born July 26, 1970), also known as Jordan Helzer, is an American self-declared prophet and spree killer who founded and led the Children of Thunder, a Mormon cult, until his arrest in 2000. Helzer and his followers murdered five people as part of an extortion plot intended to culminate with Helzer taking over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and hastening the return of Jesus; among their victims was Selina Bishop, daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop.
Further reading
- The False Prophet
Traces how Taylor Helzer, convinced he was chosen to bring about Christ's return, led a murderous campaign before law enforcement finally stopped him.
View on Amazon → - Unholy Sacrifice
Chronicles how a seemingly normal Bay Area stockbroker transformed into a self-proclaimed Messiah whose twisted mission led to drug dealing, manipulation, and deadly violence.
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