It was in Angels Landing that Emily had moved into the master bedroom with Daniel Perez. Was he clairvoyant? After his time here, Perez moved out to Tennessee to live in a colonial-style mansion with his fianc and their daughter. When other 16-year-olds were experiencing the freedom of learning how to drive and planning parties with their friends, I was planning my own death every day when I drove to school., Tonight on #Dateline at 9/8c pic.twitter.com/Jogo66ufqj, Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) August 7, 2020. Manson instructed followers to kill people because he believed the murders would provoke the race war. This came to fruition in June 2003 when Patricia Hughes, who lived on the property, died. The third parcel was purchased and built upon completing what looked like a compound due to the homes placements. Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, was sentenced to life in prison for murder and the rape of children in his cult, known as the Angel's Landing commune. 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.". Sedgwick County District Judge Joseph Bribiesca on Tuesday. Datelines Angels and Demons episode discusses their trials and tribulations, and their lives after losing their mother in the commune. According to affidavits taken by the Saguache County Sheriff's Office, the group was brainwashing people and stealing their money. Sedgwick County/Kansas Department of Corrections. Constanzo had instructed his follower to kill him to avoid arrest. When Sara was in her mid-teens and Emily was around 11, their mother brought them into Perezs family. According to her interview with Oxygen, Sara did not like Perez at all, but her mom was convinced he was an angel and was able to predict death. Goodwyn called it the most bizarre story he'd everheard butsaid Perez's conviction was probably the most amazing feeling in my law enforcement career.. In 2015, Daniel Perez, who was also known as Lou Castro, was found guilty on dozens of criminal counts, including sex crimes and murder. Four crime scenes, thirty-two gunshot wounds, eight members of the Rhoden family left dead in their homes. At his trial, she even said that she was made to tape an 8-year old undressing as well at least twice. Both deaths were predicted by Daniel Perez. As reported by Columbia Daily Herald, authorities linked Daniel Perez to a total of six accidental deaths, for which Perez collected an estimated $4.2 million. In September 2008, Saras mother died in a car accident, and Sara found her future husband, Daniel McGrath. Hughes death was initially ruled accidental. According to Oxygen, police first began to be suspicious of Perez in 2003 when he was living with a small group of people on a 20-acre property called Angel's Landing. s name. Now they preach that they are in a war of good versus evil. What is Angel's Landing? McGrath admitted she was too scared to tell anyone what had happened to her. The group rented a mansion in Southern California, where members took phenobarbital mixed with applesauce and washed it down with vodka, then put plastic bags over their heads. He, much like the authorities, found it odd that everything Daniel touched turned to ash eventually. Castro had gotten the girls and others to believe that he was over a hundred years old and his body was often inhabited by one of three angels Arthur, Daniel, and Amber, who was the angel of death. In all, nine people were murderedin several separate attacks. He seemed to always place the blame on others. It was during their relationship that Daniel Perez convinced K.L. Emily then heard a shriek from Trish and a splash. The man, who led a commune known as Angel'sLanding,collected millions of dollars in life insurance payouts from dead members and was sentenced in 2015 at age 55 to life in prison. Castro then came to Emily and told her to wait until he met up with Sarah at a local car dealership and then call 911. The Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God was a breakaway movement from the Roman Catholic Church founded in Uganda in the 1980s. 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. Daniel Perez led a commune which believed he could see into the future He was found guilty of killing a member in order to claim life insurance Jury also found Perez, 55, guilty of dozens of. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Prior to his arrest and conviction, Perez was the cult leader of a Wichita, Kansas, group called Angel's Landing. He went by many names, but the people close to him knew him as one of three angels that possessed special powers. Eventually, the wreckage would be found and death certificates were issued for Mona, Jim, and Lindsey. Ron Lafferty was convicted of murdering his brother's wife and her toddler in 1984. In addition to providing Perez with a steady income, his predictions of the deaths helped convince his followers that he was a prophet. Daniel Perez is currently incarcerated in Kansas'Lansing Correctional Facility. Two weeks after their conversation, Castro told Emily that it was time. Sarah would tell investigators about the abuse she suffered for years from Lou Castro. On April 28, 2021, themummified remains of Amy Carlson, the 45-year-old leader of the group Love Has Won, were found in a home in Moffat, Colorado. [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. The Times reported that female cult memberswere branded, used as sex slaves, punished by their "masters" and blackmailed. Tragically, Brian was killed in what would be ruled an accident in South Dakota. Manson's followers were mostly young women. Among the deaths was Hughes husband, Brian, who died in a freak accident at the auto body shop where he worked in March 2006. Leaders even discouraged talking to avoid breaking the Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.". In his profession unexplained wealth usually meant drugs. . Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Megan and Castro were also dating at this time and Megan moved into Castros home. named the co-beneficiary. To establish his alibi, Perez drove out to a dealership and instructed the girl to go to the pool after 20 minutes and call 911. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. I dont think [cults] are common, McGrath said. He also hosted parties at Angels Landing in which the local police were always welcome. 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. The case of Daniel U. Perez is explored on Oxygen's 'Deadly Cults' true-crime docuseries. Jennifer would die in a car accident when she ran into a fully loaded hauling truck and was killed instantly. The hope was that they would get a fingerprint and finally find out who Lou Castro was. He also would tell her that if she told anyone he would kill her dad. Prosecutors said at Perezs trial that he aimed to use life insurance proceeds from the deaths of his followers to live a lavish lifestyle, The Wichita Eagle reported. WhenMcGrath realized some of what was going on in his girlfriend's makeshift family, he sent an email to the FBI through their websitein 2010. Investigators in Sedgwick County, Kansas learned that Lou Perez and the Angels Landing commune was tied to six deaths which were ruled accidental. There, he would murder at least one of his followers and repeatedly rape children on his commune. The couple still lives in Wichita, Kansas. There he met a 15-year-old girl, K.L., who believed that Perez was much younger than his actual age and the pair soon began a sexual relationship. Aldrete and the other follower were arrested on the spot. Legal Statement. Within a few months, her life had completely changed. Then, in 1995, a Solar Temple building in the Swiss Alps was found burned down with 16 bodies inside. Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, was sentenced to life in prison for murder and the rape of children in his cult, known as the Angel's Landing commune. He was already suspicious about the accidents that occurred within the family and would work go on to work with the FBI in 2010 to find Daniel Perezs next identity (that he would use in Tennessee.) Jim had a private pilots license and had taken them up one day never to return. Soon after, new more expensive vehicles showed up on the driveway. I didnt realize I was in a cult until I had been out for a few years.. For more on the shockingAngels Landing story, including Sara's firsthand account of living with Daniel Perez and the incredible lengths law enforcement went to catch him, watch Deadly Cults atOxygen.comand airingSundays at 7/6conOxygen. Investigators found 48 bodies inside. 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. Daniel reported all of this to the FBI in January 2010. He collected more than $1 million in life insurance payouts from Hughes death alone. pic.twitter.com/aps7CzzYu8, Dateline NBC (@DatelineNBC) August 6, 2020. In the summer of 2001, Trish, Brian, and their newborn daughter, Nicole along with Castro and K.L. Perez told his followers that he needed to have sex with young girls to stay alive. As reported by Oxygen, the woman, who was like a second mother to Sara, slipped and fell in the compound's pool and drowned. Heoncetailed him to a restaurant and tried unsuccessfully several times to get his prints, but the cult leader proved elusive. It was extremely scary, she said. He also forced Emilys older sister, Sarah into the same sexual perversions. Jones taught a blend of Christianity, socialism and communism, with an emphasis on racial equality. In fact, most of his other crimes also took place on Angels Landing. One such story, where the cult leader Daniel Perez aka Lou Castro repeatedly manipulated and abused his followers, has been covered in the episode called Angels and Demons. For him to have been able to do such abhorrent acts, one wonders what the tools at his disposal were. (AP Photo/The Wichita Eagle, Mike Hutmacher). Even after he was sentenced, I was a bit scared., KIM KARDASHIAN DETAILS HER NEW DOC, SAYS SHE'S NOT WORRIED ABOUT JUSTICE REFORM CRITICS, Daniel Perez also went by Lou Castro. She said that after the death of a few more members that she was close to made her feel very alone. He was recently arrested for. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Castro immediately took an interest in the young girl and she posed provocatively in a swimsuit as he took pictures. 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. Perez, also known by the name Lou Castro and many other names, convinced his followers he had magical powers. In the early 1970s, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles renamed themselves Bo and Peep and took a road trip across the U.S., assembling a group they called "the crew.". The two had dated for a while, but ultimately remained friends. Considering that Perez had convinced his followers that he was actually an angel who had existed for many decades, the property was aptly named. In 2001, there was a plane crash that killed a group member, her boyfriend, and her 12-year-old daughter. He was found guilty on all counts on June 19, 2019. Berg also encouraged sex with children. Perez, who will be sentenced March 24, is facing imprisonment for possibly the rest of his life. Though initially from Texas, Perez settled down here in Kansas with his followers. It was during that same year that Jennifer began dating David Quiring who had joined the group in 2003. He, three journalists and a cult defector were shot to death. The story of the rural Kansas compound, its survivors and Daniel Perez is being told on a new episode of Dateline, which originally aired on NBC Friday, August 7, 2020 at 9/8C. The group believed that Earth was about to be wiped clean and the only chance to survive was to leave it. His sex offender registry indicates he began abusing children in 2001, and the abuse spanned more than a decade, ending in 2015. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This led to the big break in the case. Perez, now 62, is behind. Tonight on NBC'sDateline NBC, correspondent Dennis Murphy looks into the case of Angel's Landing and cult leader Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro. Casto wasnt single for long as he had met a woman named Mona Griffith who happened to live in the same apartment complex as him at the time. In 1989, authorities found 12 male bodies on a ranch in Mexico, near the U.S. border. By the 1970s, the group had communes around the country and outposts overseas. The two would have a child, Angelica in December 2004. The problem was that some of them ended up dying in tragic accidents leaving behind large insurance policies. K.L. In 2004, Brian, Jennifer, K.L., and another woman, Megan Harbert had taken life insurance policies out on their lives. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Jennifer had sold Castro and his group property in Missouri when they had stayed there only a short time in 2001. His death benefit was paid out to K.L. Case of Kansas cult killer and rapist Daniel Perez, AKA Lou Castro, to be featured on TV https://t.co/In25MdYhcb, kansasdotcom (@kansasdotcom) March 6, 2020. There was nothing I could do, she said. Aum Shinrikyo was a Japanese doomsday cult founded by Shoko Asahara in 1984. In June 2003, Sara was on her way to a car dealershipwhere Perez was supposed to meet her when her little sister called. PatriciaHughes,whowas like a second mother to the girls,had slipped and fallen in the pool. Debuting in 1992, it has discussed many cases that have left the audience shocked at the violence and atrocities. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! (Photo courtesy of Oxygen. He also claimed upon cross-examination by district attorney Marc Bennett, that he had no idea where the money had come from that paid for his lifestyle and that of the other group members. Goodwyn said the conviction was probably the most amazing feeling in my law enforcement career.. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. When the police arrived there, they saw many luxury cards, most valued above $40,000. For well over a decade, conman Daniel Perez convinced a small band of followers into thinking he was possessed by three mostly evil angels, or maybe was an angel, and that he had the keys. Patricia's husband, Brian, became severely depressed and began talking with Perez more, Sara said. On September 5, 2018, officials said he violated a published order, considered a class 3 offense, which is the least serious type of offense, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. The two are closer than ever with each other and their father. K.L. It was on March 2, 2006, that Brian left Angels Landing to visit South Dakota. Tonight on NBC'sDateline NBC,Dennis Murphy interviews cult leader Daniel Perez, also known as Lou Castro, who told his followers at Angel's Landing that he was a 1,000-year-old angel who could see the future. Mack was arrested and indicted on federal charges, including sex trafficking. This dental device was sold to fix patients' jaws. In court Friday, the 23-year-old woman who is the key witness told jurors that about a week before Hughes died, Perez foretold her death. All the vehicles had vanity license plates with Angel 1, Angel 2, and so forth. 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. Not to be deterred, Castro and Trish repeatedly visited the insurance agency while the search for the downed plane continued. When he died his assets and policies were paid out to various people he had been living with at Angels Landing. Her way to a car dealershipwhere Perez was supposed to meet her when her little sister called a short in... 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