Ep 17. The Cult Next Door: The Mystery and Madness of Heaven's Gate

The Cult Next Door: The Mystery and Madness of Heaven's Gate is an investigative report in the latest episode of ABC 20/20, delving deep into the bewildering world of the infamous cult that became known for the mass suicide of its members in 1997. The episode takes a closer look at the bizarre beliefs that led to the tragic end of the Heaven's Gate cult, which was led by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles.

ABC News senior national correspondent, Matt Gutman, who has covered the story extensively in the past, leads the report, interviewing former members who had managed to escape the group's clutches before the deadly event occurred. The episode aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the group's beliefs, practices, and motivations that enabled it to gain such a devoted following and ultimately led to the tragic end of the group.

Gutman traces the roots of the cult back to the late 1970s, when Applewhite and Nettles began recruiting their followers, who believed that they were aliens on a spiritual mission to save humanity from the impending doom. According to the former cult members, Applewhite had convinced them of his divine status and his ability to communicate with the "higher beings." He had also convinced them that by committing suicide, they would be able to shed their human bodies and transcend to a higher plane of existence.

The show gives insights into the cult's elaborate preparations for the mass suicide, including the purchase of a mansion, arrival of the uniform Nike sneakers that they were all wearing when they died, and filming of the farewell videos they left behind. The media frenzy that followed the discovery of 39 bodies wearing the same attire in a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California, is explored, along with the aftermath of the tragic event. Gutman interviews family members of the deceased and explores how they have coped with their loss.

The episode also investigates the broader societal trends that enabled cults like Heaven's Gate to flourish in the United States, including the rise of the New Age movement in the 1970s and the increasing isolation and disillusionment felt by many Americans. The report also notes the similarities between the Heaven's Gate cult and other notorious cults such as the Jonestown massacre, highlighting the dangers of groupthink and the need for critical thinking.

In conclusion, The Cult Next Door: The Mystery and Madness of Heaven's Gate is a chilling examination of one of the most notorious cults in modern history. Through interviews with former members and family members of the deceased, the show highlights the warning signs of cult-like behavior and the devastating consequences they can have. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the need to remain vigilant against the seductive appeal of charismatic leaders who promise salvation.