Heaven's Gate: The Cult That Believed a UFO Would Take Them | Crimes Of...

In March 1997, police entered a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California… and found 39 bodies. They were all dressed the same. Laid out the same. And believed they were leaving Earth. This is the story of Heaven’s Gate: one of the most infamous cults in history. Led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles, the group believed a spacecraft was traveling behind the Hale-Bopp comet… and that the only way to reach it was to die. But this isn’t just a story about a mass suicide. It’s about identity. Control. Belief. And how ordinary people can be led to do the unthinkable. In this episode of Crimes Of: Cults, we break down: How Heaven’s Gate began The psychological control inside the group The chilling final days leading up to 39 deaths And why this case still haunts investigators today Because the scariest part isn’t what happened… It’s how it happened. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Crimes Of… to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Crimes Of… is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios 🎧 Need More to Binge?  Listen to other Crime House Originals include Clues, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, America’s Most Infamous Crimes, Murder True Crime Stories, and more wherever you get your podcasts! Follow us on Social YouTube: @crimehousestudios Instagram: @Crimehouse TikTok: @Crimehouse Facebook: @crimehousestudios X: @crimehousemedia Crimes Of… is hosted by Sabrina Deana-Roga and Corinne Vien Instagram: @sabbertoothtiger | @corinnevien  Episode Sponsor: Go to https://www.LangeHair.com and use code CRIMES to get 20% off your first order.  Chapters 0:00 Welcome to Crimes Of… Cults 3:22 Identity 4:16 Bonnie Nettles & Marshall Applewhite 5:52 Sheriffs Arrive at the Home 8:48 Heaven’s Gate Members Dead 9:10 Piecing Together Evidence 12:28 Official Cause of Death 14:00 The “Protocol” 17:15 Earth Exit Messages 20:08 Comet Hale-Bopp 24:28 Public Fascination 26:23 Who is Marshall Applewhite? 30:07 Massive Turn in Marshall’s Life 32:36 Marshall’s Obsession with UFOs 33:22 Marshall Checks In To Hospital 34:01 Who is Bonnie Nettles? 37:57 Platonic Soulmates? 41:58 Revelation 11 44:47 The “Demonstration” 47:10 Human Individual Metamorphosis 49:01 Search for Members 51:50 Group Travels 53:12 Public Attention 56:22 The Classroom Phase 1:00:01 Danger on the Rise 1:04:40 Loosening the Rules 1:06:25 Big Turning Point 1:08:02 Change in Ideology 1:09:45 Symbolic Marriage 1:10:55 The “Harvest” 1:14:23 Medical Procedures Done in the House 1:17:28 Beginning of Name: Heaven’s Gate 1:19:02 “Last Chance to Evacuate Earth” 1:20:40 Final Days 1:30:22 Resources