Heaven's Gate mass suicide discovery revealed 39 bodies in California mansion
In March 1997, investigators found 39 members of Heaven's Gate dead in a California mansion, all dressed alike and covered with purple cloths.
Investigators entered a California mansion and found 39 bodies. In March 1997, the dead were identified as members of Heaven's Gate. They lay in separate rooms, dressed alike and covered with purple cloths.
The founder and the belief
Founder Marshall Applewhite was among them. The group believed a spacecraft following Hale-Bopp would carry them to another existence.
How the deaths unfolded
Evidence ruled out an outside attacker and showed the deaths were planned. Members consumed a lethal mixture in groups, with survivors assisting those who went before them. The final two then died by suicide.
The investigation's conclusion
Authorities closed the investigation without criminal charges, though questions remained about coercion and consent.
