Early Life and Formation of the Cult Adolfo de Jesús Constanzo was born in Miami, Florida, in 1962 and exhibited an interest in spiritualism from an early age. His mother was a devotee of the Afro-Caribbean religion Palo Mayombe, which involves animal sacrifice and rituals. Drawing on this background, Constanzo eventually formed his own cult, … Read more
In the heart of Uganda emerged a religious sect known as the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God. Gaining traction in the 1980s, the cult’s dramatic rise and horrifying demise have captured the attention of scholars, investigators, and the public alike. This in-depth article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of … Read more
Si Ouey Sae Urng, colloquially known as Si Ouey, has been a figure of both real and mythological horror in Thailand for decades. A Chinese immigrant, Si Ouey turned into a notorious serial killer whose crimes shook the Thai nation in the 1950s. Early Life and Migration Si Ouey was born in Guangdong Province, China, … Read more
Yukio Yamaji was a Japanese serial killer who murdered his own mother in 2000, and then murdered a 27-year-old woman and her 19-year-old sister in 2005. He was sentenced to death and executed in 2009. Background: Yamaji was born in Yamaguchi, Japan, in 1983. He was a quiet and withdrawn child, and he had a … Read more
Early Life and Fascination with Fire Jay Scott Ballinger had an unconventional upbringing that led him to develop a deep fascination with fire and the occult. While it may be a stretch to refer to his actions as cult-like, there was a clear ideological motive behind them. Noted criminologist Scott Bonn explains, “Ballinger is a … Read more
Edmund Kemper’s name is synonymous with some of the most shocking and gruesome murders in American history. With a height of 6’9″ and a chilling calmness when describing his crimes, Kemper leaves an indelible mark on criminal history. This expanded article delves deeper into the grim details, news quotes, and timelines that sketch a fuller … Read more
Family and Background Silvia Meraz Moreno lived in Nacozari, a small town in the Mexican state of Sonora. She appeared to be a devout woman but took her religious fanaticism to a horrifying extreme. By leading a cult dedicated to Santa Muerte (Saint Death), a figure revered in some sectors of Mexican folklore but largely … Read more
Takahiro Shiraishi, a 30-year-old Japanese man, was sentenced to death in December 2020 for the murders of nine people. The victims were all young women, mostly in their teens and twenties, who had expressed suicidal thoughts on social media. Shiraishi lured them to his apartment in Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, under the pretense of helping them … Read more
Early Life and Family Background Rod Ferrell was born in Murray, Kentucky, in 1980, into an atmosphere of dysfunction and occult beliefs. His mother, Sondra Gibson, who was heavily into Wiccan practices, declared herself a witch. She was known to host occult rituals in their home, providing Ferrell with an unusual and arguably dangerous upbringing. … Read more
Birth and Early Years: A Hazy Beginning Born as Herman Webster Mudgett in 1861 in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, Holmes’ upbringing was reportedly abusive, filled with strict religious indoctrination. “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson dives deep into this troubled childhood, suggesting that this early phase might have served as a ‘criminal incubator.’ … Read more