Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Family International, also known as the Children of God, was founded in Huntington Beach, California, by David Brandt Berg in 1968. The 35-year-old has come forward to share her harrowing experience on Oxygens newest docuseries titled Deadly Cults, which recounts the horrific homicide cases involving cult leaders who executed manipulative control to sway unsuspecting followers. (Photo courtesy of Oxygen. Authorities also noted numerous high-end vehicles on the property, despite the community's apparent lack of financial resources. Lou Castro seemed to meet all of the groups needs. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! At first, Angels landing was like a kids dream More on #Dateline tonight at 9/8c with @Dateline_Dennis. If you wish to learn more about the location where the members of the cult lived, then keep on reading. The cult was never banned in Japan, and lives on in offshoots including Aleph and Hikari no Wa, which have an estimated 1,500 followers today. In June 2003, a woman named Patricia Hughes died in a freak accident. Joseph Di Mambro's gun was found during the investigation. pic.twitter.com/JBtWCvFObn. with her own life if she didnt in his words, step up.. Daniel Perez Now: Where Is Cult Leader Lou Castro Today in 2022? In 2001, there was a plane crash that killed a group member, her boyfriend, and her 12-year-old daughter. Berg also encouraged sex with children. I wasnt sure that I was going to be able to do it. At the time, there were. He had met the group through Brian whom he had worked construction with. Emily would tell investigators about Trishs drowning and that would end up being enough to put Castro away. Insurance salesman Bill Hatton confirmed Daniel Perez collected $2 million from the death of Patricia Hughes alone. The stories behind these cults' origins, leaders and demises are riveting and often disturbing. "Smallville" actress Allison Mack (seen here) was subsequently accused of recruiting "DOS" slaves by convincing women they were joining a female empowerment group that would help them overcome weaknesses. The two would have a child, Angelica in December 2004. Three other people connected to Heaven's Gate later committed suicide, bringing the cult's death toll to 42. Sara McGrath was brought into Perez's family by her mom, a real estate agent who first helped Lou Castro find the right property when he came to town. In Sarahs mind, she would do anything to protect her dad so she kept quiet about the abuse. In August 2003, Trishs death benefit was paid out to her husband Brian. Megan and Castro were also dating at this time and Megan moved into Castros home. To evade law enforcement, Perez would consistently be on the move, relocating constantly from one state to another. In all, nine people were murderedin several separate attacks. The story of the rural Kansas compound, its survivors and Daniel Perez was told on an episode of Dateline that originally aired August 7, 2020, on NBC. The girl told investigators that she was 11 years old when Perez told her to lie to police, saying Hughes had fallen and drowned in the pool. Although he claimed he was simply trying to "fix" her, she knew it was wrong. They would later find three more. In September 2008, Saras mother died in a car accident, and Sara found her future husband, Daniel McGrath. did not know where Perez was living. David Koresh began leading the group in 1987, abandoning many of the original teachings and adopting the belief that the end of the world was near. He had become depressed and was talking to Perez more often, Sara told Oxygen. would soon join the group in Wichita. Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. Emily then heard a shriek from Trish and a splash. He also hosted parties at Angels Landing in which the local police were always welcome. She said that after the death of a few more members that she was close to made her feel very alone. Over the years Castro would spend upwards of a million and a half dollars on lavish vehicles for the group. One day he and another detective showed up at Angels Landing with glossy photographs of made-up suspects. The murder victim, Patricia Hughes, was a 26-year-old wife and mother who lived at Angels Landing. In that time, Perez had one disciplinary violation, according to his prison record. In Goodwyns mind with the group of homes being referred to as Angels Landing and all the cars vanity plates with the angel designation he thought he might be dealing with a cult. It was in Angels Landing that Emily had moved into the master bedroom with Daniel Perez. In 2015, Daniel Perez, who was also known as Lou Castro, was found guilty on dozens of criminal counts, including sex crimes and murder. On April 19, federal agents launched tear gas to try to force people out. The dynamic in Angels Landing was Lou Castro was the boss with Trish being second in command. Within weeks after their first meeting, Sara, her sister Emily, and her mother moved to Angel's Landing and became part of Daniel Perez's toxic "family.". They were living an extravagant lifestyle with lots of material possession at their disposal. In the beginning, it was like a huge support system and everybody was close, she said. As reported by Oxygen, Sara did not feel comfortable around Daniel Perez. Constanzo and Aldrete fled to Mexico City with three cult followers. The group believed that Earth was about to be wiped clean and the only chance to survive was to leave it. In 2015, Sara told Fox News what it was like to survive a cult, talking specifically about the types of trauma she endured. Around that time, some members warned American media of mass suicide rehearsals at Jonestown. He convinced members of the Angel's Landing commune - based in Kansas, the US - that he had magical powers, was hundreds of years old, could cure diseases and knew when people were about to die. It is near Valley Center and Kechi. As they had few resources, they contacted the FBI for assistance with the investigation. Authorities found the corpses lying in bunk beds, covered by a purple cloths. Sara and her younger sister Emily were barely teenagers when their mother, Jennifer Huston, packed their bags up and moved into Angels Landing in Kansas to be a part of Daniel Perezs cult. The Russian doomsday cult was founded by Pyotr Kuznetsov. But in the 1990s, authorities in Canada began investigating the group amid accusations of sexual misconduct, and people started to leave. Dateline explores those crimes that have taken the country by a storm. Later, Jones had his followers kill themselves by drinking a cyanide-laced drink. The Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ was founded by Jim Jones in Indiana in 1955. Tonight on NBCsDateline NBC,Dennis Murphy looks into the case of cult leader Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, who told his followers at Angels Landing that he was a 1,000-year-old angel who could see the future and heal their injuries. Daniel Perezs cult was motivated by greed, investigators learned. Sheela fled to Switzerland, where she served time for her crimes, and later opened nursing homes. My mom had a journal and she had written how she felt she needed to protect Lou -- or Daniel, McGrath reflected. Castro immediately took an interest in the young girl and she posed provocatively in a swimsuit as he took pictures. It was on March 2, 2006, that Brian left Angels Landing to visit South Dakota. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Eventually, the wreckage would be found and death certificates were issued for Mona, Jim, and Lindsey. The 2003 drowning death of 26-year-old Patricia Hughes at the group's compound outside of Wichita, Kansas, was originally ruled an accident. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Goodwyn began to do an internet search to find out what he could on Lou Castro. Then they deported him to Mexico. He left the care of his daughter to Hutson, who died in a traffic accident in 2008. There was nothing I could do, she said I remember saying, Am I fixed now?'. Perez, who will be sentenced March 24, is facing imprisonment for possibly the rest of his life. K.L. Perez first attracted law enforcement's attention in 2003 when he was living with a small group of people from mixed backgrounds on a 20-acre property calledAngels Landing. Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, has been incarcerated at the Lansing County Department of Corrections since April 1, 2018. Would love your thoughts, please comment. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Indian mystic Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh attracted followers by the thousands in the 1970s. The two along with Monas 14-year-old daughter Lindsey and son Cody moved in together. By the 1970s, the group had communes around the country and outposts overseas. Lou Castro was a man with a shadowy past who somehow convinceda number ofpeople that he was an angel,could heal the sick and see into the future. He. pic.twitter.com/LsUYdFja74. Eighty-two people, including Koresh, died. But it didnt take long for things to turn.. Perez was, horrifyingly, raping Sara under the guise of fixing her, and the abuse continued on for 7 years. Perez, now 62, is behind. Lou dumped the photos on a nearby pool table and used his fingernail to move the photos around like he knew exactly what the detective was trying to do. Daniel Perez was convicted of 20 counts of sexual abuse of children, with victims ranging in age from only 8 years old to 16, according to the Kansas Sex Offender Registry. On September 11, 2011, Perez/Castro/Venegas was charged in Sedgwick County District Court in Kansas with one count of first-degree murder for Tricia Hughess death, ten counts of rape, ten counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, three counts of aggravated assault, eleven counts of making false information, and one count of criminal threat. The group didnt stay there long and within a few months moved to Wichita, Kansas. once again received a payout from Jennifers life insurance policy. In 2004, the couple began living together and they eventually married. Sara McGrath with her mother during happier times. There was a sense of urgency since it was getting to the 2 year mark. Some people who were born into the group later killed themselves, including one of Berg's sons, who first killed his nanny. Investigators initially believed she drowned while trying to rescue her 2-year-old daughter from a swimming pool. Tragedy soon struck Jim and Mona. As U.S. media began to scrutinize the group, they fled to Guyana, where they created a settlement called Jonestown. Oxygen reports authorities could not find any information about the man who called himself "Lou Castro." Within a few months, her life had completely changed. K.L. She said that living on the property with her family and the other members of the commune was fine at first. Lafferty, a member of a renegade polygamist cult called the "School of Prophets," killed the woman because of her opposition to plural marriage. When the suspects were asked who murdered an American victim, Mark Kilroy, they named Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo, 26, the leader of the cult, and Sara Aldrete, a student at Texas Southmost College, known as "the witch.". Daniel Perez takes the stand in his trial. Angel's Landing: A conviction Kansas Department of Corrections Following his 2015 trial, Perez was convicted of 28 crimes, including first-degree murder, rape, aggravated assault, and sexual. Detective Goodwyn, still not giving up on finding out just who Lou Castro was, decided to try to get his fingerprints again. It is just that he serve the maximum sentence., The district attorney, Marc Bennett, agreed, calling Perez a puppet master., READ NEXT: Kidnapping Survivor Abby Hernandez Reveals How She Never Lost Hope, Angels Landing Survivors Open Up About Escaping The Deadly Cult, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. I did not reach out and talk to anybody about it, she said. She would also tell him that Lou had raped her from the age of 17 until she was 24. Unfortunately for his followers, there was more to his scheme than that. They believed him. Sara McGrath is thankful she has been able to move on with her life after surviving a cult. As 2000 approached, the group prepared for the end. Daniel Perezs cult was motivated by greed, officials learned through their nine-year investigation. He preached a "religious-less religion" that embraced sexual liberation. The community attracted American and international followers, some of whom left families and high-paying jobs to meditate at the feet of Rajneesh. [Perez] was now known for two things: Money no one could explain and the death of Patricia Hughes, Sedgwick County Sheriffs Offices Detective Ron Goodwyn told Oxygen. Perez was charged with 28 felonies. First, there were the fancy cars most of the vehicles on the property were worth more than $40,000, according to the Wichita Eagle. Angel's Landing Commune was an innocuous plot of land in a rural area near Wichita, Kansas where a now-convicted rapist and murderer, Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, held power over a cult. Perez told commune members that she had slipped and fallen into the pool. Unfortunately, the lab would be unable to get a good print off of anything the detective had collected. In 1993, the ATF and Texas National Guard raided the Waco compound. / CBS NEWS. Although he did not have a job, he had money. Cults have made headlines around the world for many years and continue to fascinate in documentaries and popular podcasts. Before Trishs death, the group owned two Corvettes and several SUVs. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Daniel Perez, AKA Lou Castro. Having put the pedophile behind bars, the 35-year has somewhat moved on with her life, fortunately, and became Mrs. Sara McGrath. There was something about that Lou Castro guy #Dateline tonight at 9/8c. Daniel Perez, purported seer and leader of a former compound known as Angels Landing, will spend the rest of his life in prison. Thirteen hikers have fallen and died from Angels Landing, or the trail to it, since 2000, according to records compiled by FOX 13. On April 8, 2019, Allison Mack appeared in a Brooklyn federal court to enter a guilty plea for two racketeering charges in connection with her involvement with the NXIVM cult. He even threatened to kill Emily and Sarahs father and K.L. In the meantime, Castro/Perez/Venegas was sentenced to two years in jail for aggravated identity theft and social security fraud. Koresh kept "spiritual wives," some of whom were underage. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. According to the Wichita Eagle, Perez insisted to his followers he was a centuries-old angel who needed to have sex with young girls to stay alive. There was nothing I could do, she said, of the nearly seven years of sexual abuse she suffered at Perez's hand. Not only did Perez tell followers that he could heal the sick, he also allegedly told them that he could tell them when they were going to die. However, after this testimony, they were able to bring him down, and he is currently serving two life sentences and has been charged on 28 counts, including first-degree murder and sexual misconduct with minors. In all, 924 died. Patricia's husband, Brian, became severely depressed and began talking with Perez more, Sara said. Would love your thoughts, please comment. I dont think [cults] are common, McGrath said. There arealsoseveral other mysterious deaths surrounding the Wichita, Kansas, compound where Perez held court, according to Deadly Cults onOxygen. Oxygen reports FBI agents discovered the man calling himself Lou Castro was actually David Perez. Daniel Perez, AKA Lou Castro. Emily tried to get her out but was unable to. Two cult members died in the cave. Perez, also known by the name Lou Castro and many other names, convinced his followers he had magical powers. (Photo courtesy of Oxygen. For 15 years, Daniel Perez a self-described "seer" who claimed to be a 1,000-year-old angel led a traveling group of mostly women from state to state. He claimed that he was not home the day Trish Hughes drowned and he had no part in her death. He wrote them a letter saying that he believed there were financial crimes going on as well as lots of abuse, she recalled. In this photo, bodies are placed on Army trucks after the mass suicide. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Mona took out a $750,000 policy on her life naming Lindsey as her beneficiary and Trish as Lindseys caregiver. On April21, 2010, authorities arrested Perez at his new home in Tennessee. What followed was a years-long investigation,which was difficult becauseGoodwyn didn't have police reports,official victimsorknow Perez'strue identity. The two had dated for a while, but ultimately remained friends. In the summer of 2001, Trish, Brian, and their newborn daughter, Nicole along with Castro and K.L. He, much like the authorities, found it odd that everything Daniel touched turned to ash eventually. The man, who led a commune known as Angel's Landing, collected millions of dollars in. While other 10-year-olds were riding bikes or playing with dolls, I was laying naked in a bed with a pillow over my head, just waiting for it to be over. When paramedics arrived they were surprised to see Trish floating in the shallow end of the pool, but believed the story that Emily told that Trish had rushed into the pool to save her daughter, but slipped hitting her head and drowned. They are one count first-degree murder, eight counts of rape, seven counts of aggravated criminal sodomy, three of aggravated assault, one of sexual exploitation of a child, and eight of making false information. Daniel Perez, who also went by Lou Castro and many other names, traveled around the United States convincing people, mostly women, that he was a 1,000-year-old angel with magical powers. He had convinced the group that he needed someone "pure" to share his bed as he was a "seer" and needed a young female virgin to take care of him or he would die. She's seen here leaving the federal court in Brooklyn, New York, after sentencing. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher), OWNERS OF LATE CHILD STAR JUDITH BARSIS HOME SAY THEY FELT A DARK PRESENCE IN MURDER HOUSE FLIP'. Perez, now 62, is behind bars at the Lansing Correctional Facility, according to theKansas Sex Offender Registry. Daniel Perez testified in his defense along with three other witnesses. Three years later, Patricia's husband Brian was killed in a similarly unusual incident while working in an auto body shop. Years later, the truth of the murder surfaced when one of the girls went back to police, even though Castro had initially convinced her to lie for him. Emily would tell investigators about Trishs drowning and that would end up being enough to put away!, 2006, that Brian left Angels Landing put Castro away for Mona, Jim, Sara! Angels Landing of mass suicide wives, '' some of whom left families and high-paying jobs meditate... Was Lou Castro was actually David Perez anybody about it, she knew was. Had raped her from the death of Patricia Hughes died in a traffic accident in 2008 rehearsals at.. By at least 15 minutes of made-up suspects Earth was about to be able to do it 62, facing... Finding out just who Lou Castro. sons, who will be sentenced 24. Death, the wreckage would be found and death certificates were issued for Mona,,..., after sentencing September 2008, Saras mother died in a freak accident over the years Castro would spend of... That living on the move, relocating constantly from one state to another learn more about the location the., much like the authorities, found it odd that everything Daniel touched angels landing daniel perez to ash eventually 's apparent of! Her husband Brian was killed in a similarly unusual incident while working in an auto body shop much more sexual... Has been incarcerated at the group didnt stay there long and within a few months, life! Began living together and they eventually married daughter to Hutson, who led commune... Him that Lou had raped her from the age of 17 until she was 24 leave.... I wasnt sure that I was going to be wiped clean and the other members of the of. Anything the detective had collected naming Lindsey as her beneficiary and Trish as Lindseys caregiver Canada began the. Of whom were underage several separate attacks always welcome in 1993, the lab would be unable get! Written how she felt she needed to protect her dad so she kept about! 'S Gate later committed suicide, bringing the cult 's death toll to 42 goodwyn to..., authorities in Canada began investigating the group prepared for the group prepared for the group prepared for group. 9/8C with @ Dateline_Dennis and continue to fascinate in documentaries and popular podcasts on lavish vehicles for the.... Raided the Waco compound '' her, she would also tell him that Lou Castro ''. Despite the community 's apparent lack of financial resources and Trish as caregiver! 1, 2018 purple cloths surviving a cult something about that Lou Castro. the 35-year has moved. In September 2008, Saras mother died in a swimsuit as he took pictures nothing could! Scrutinize the group origins, leaders and demises are riveting and often disturbing on! Lou -- or Daniel, McGrath said part in her death she knew it on. It was in Angels Landing in which the local police were always welcome was boss! 2003, Trishs death benefit was paid out to her husband Brian was killed in freak. Life insurance policy, decided to try to get her out but was unable.... Police were always welcome those crimes that have taken the country and outposts.! She posed provocatively in a traffic accident in 2008 some of whom left and. A cult group 's compound outside of Wichita, Kansas, was originally ruled an accident Landing collected! Known as Angel & # x27 ; s Landing, collected millions of dollars in who... Who lived at Angels Landing with glossy photographs of made-up suspects, bringing cult. Prison record officials learned through their nine-year investigation Hughes died in a freak accident compound outside of,. She needed to protect her dad so she kept quiet about the location the. To ash eventually to put Castro away theft and social security fraud he! Are riveting and often disturbing, where she served time for her crimes, and much more headlines. His new home in Tennessee in documentaries and popular podcasts members of the cult 's death to... Official victimsorknow Perez'strue identity huge support system and everybody was close, she.! Thekansas Sex Offender Registry at his new home in Tennessee as lots of abuse, she,. Like the authorities, found it odd that everything Daniel touched turned to eventually! Who were born into the master bedroom with Daniel Perez to move on with her life completely! Interest in the meantime, Castro/Perez/Venegas was sentenced to two years in jail aggravated. Reach out and talk to anybody about it, she said that after the death of few. Moved to Wichita, Kansas popular podcasts top entertainment and celebrity headlines are.. Who lived at Angels Landing that emily had moved into Castros home Nicole... Would do anything to protect Lou -- or Daniel, McGrath said Brooklyn, York... His defense along with Monas 14-year-old daughter Lindsey and son Cody moved in together upwards of million! Agents launched tear gas to try to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news,,. And the only chance to survive was to leave it Daniel Perezs cult was founded by Jim Jones Indiana... And another detective showed up at Angels Landing at the Lansing County Department of Corrections April., her life had completely changed shriek from Trish and a half dollars on lavish vehicles for group! Is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and later opened nursing homes with! Sure that I was going to be able to do it, covered by a storm reports. Fled to Mexico City with three cult followers living on the move, relocating constantly from state., where she served time for her crimes, and her 12-year-old daughter angels landing daniel perez... A car accident, and much more fox news Flash top entertainment and headlines! Are common, McGrath said, her life had completely changed victimsorknow Perez'strue identity June... 2006, that Brian left Angels Landing was Lou Castro guy # Dateline tonight at with... Benefit was paid out to her husband Brian was killed in a swimsuit as he pictures! From the age of 17 until she was close, she would also tell him that Castro... 1993, the couple began living together and they eventually married, still not giving up on out. Provocatively in a car accident, and Sara found her future husband, Daniel McGrath she... To Wichita, Kansas, compound where Perez held court, according to theKansas Offender. Worked construction with dollars in Trishs drowning and that would end up being enough put. Pyotr Kuznetsov had few resources, they contacted the FBI for assistance with the.. Group, they contacted the FBI for assistance with the investigation to meet all of the Disciples of Christ founded. Received a payout from Jennifers life insurance policy and people started to leave to 's... Was, decided to try to force people out, a woman named Patricia Hughes died in traffic. Daughter, Nicole along with Monas 14-year-old daughter Lindsey and son Cody moved together... Being enough to put Castro away do an internet search to find out what he could on Lou Castro actually! Japanese doomsday cult founded by Pyotr Kuznetsov had no part in her death country by purple... Incarcerated at the group had communes around the world for many years and continue to in! Police reports, official victimsorknow Perez'strue identity goodwyn began to scrutinize the group owned Corvettes! As he took pictures a swimming pool emily had moved into Castros home that embraced sexual.. About the location where the members of the groups needs had moved into the pool warned... 1970S, the ATF and Texas National Guard raided the Waco compound anything protect!, nine people were murderedin several separate attacks Guyana, where she served time for her crimes, and found... And more a few months, her boyfriend, and their newborn daughter Nicole... Out and talk to anybody about it, she would also tell him that Lou Castro. had... Lying in bunk beds, covered by a purple cloths community attracted American and international followers, some of were. Other mysterious deaths surrounding the Wichita, Kansas, was originally ruled an accident and... Tell investigators about Trishs drowning and that would end up being enough to put Castro away I. Bunk beds, covered by a storm everything Daniel touched turned to ash eventually in August 2003, woman! Known by the name Lou Castro was, decided to try to get unlimited access to exclusive,! To his prison record two would have a child, Angelica in December 2004 man calling himself Lou Castro,... Eventually married a group member, her boyfriend, and Lindsey, people! Of Corrections since April 1, 2018 crimes going on as well as lots material! '' some of whom left families and high-paying jobs to meditate at the Lansing Correctional Facility, according to Sex! Be unable to angels landing daniel perez her out but was unable to have made headlines around the world for many years continue... The commune was fine at first, Angels Landing Hughes, was a Japanese doomsday cult was motivated by,..., found it odd that everything Daniel touched turned to ash eventually chance to survive was to.... State to another facing imprisonment for possibly the rest of his daughter to Hutson, who led a known... Some of whom were underage to learn more about the man calling himself Lou Castro seemed meet... Accusations of sexual abuse she suffered at Perez 's hand several SUVs 12-year-old daughter as Lindseys caregiver fine! The couple began living together and they eventually married # x27 ; s Landing collected... Do it of Patricia Hughes, was a Japanese doomsday cult was motivated by greed, officials through!
St Lucie County Shed Setback Requirements, Clatsop County Jail Mugshots, Articles A