Current:Home > StocksKenya cult death toll rises to 200; more than 600 reported missing -ProfitPioneers Hub
Kenya cult death toll rises to 200; more than 600 reported missing
View
Date:2025-04-17 09:20:52
The death toll linked to a doomsday cult in Kenya hit 201 Saturday after police exhumed 22 more bodies, most of them bearing signs of starvation, according to the coast regional commissioner. The bodies are believed to be those of followers of a pastor based in coastal Kenya, Paul Mackenzie. He's alleged to have ordered congregants to starve to death in order to meet Jesus.
More than 600 people are still missing.
Mackenzie, who was arrested last month, remains in custody. Police plan to charge him with terrorism-related offenses. Hundreds of bodies have been dug up from dozens of mass graves spread across his 800-acre property, located in the coastal county of Kilifi. Mackenzie insists that he closed his church in 2019 and moved to his property in a forested area to farm.
Autopsies conducted on more than 100 bodies last week showed the victims died of starvation, strangulation, suffocation and injuries sustained from blunt objects. Local media outlets have been reporting cases of missing internal body organs, quoting investigators in the case.
Mackenzie, his wife and 16 other suspects will appear in court at the end of the month. Coast regional commissioner Rhoda Onyancha on Saturday said the total number of those arrested stood at 26, with 610 people reported as missing by their families. It is unclear how many survivors have been rescued so far from the search and rescue operations on Mackenzie's vast property. Some of them were too weak to walk when they were found.
Cults are common in Kenya, a religious society. Police across the country have been questioning other religious leaders whose teachings are believed to be misleading and contrary to basic human rights.
President William Ruto last week formed a commission of inquiry to investigate how hundreds of people were lured to their deaths at the coast and recommend action on institutions that failed to act.
In the past, Mackenzie had been charged in connection to the deaths of children in his church in a case that is ongoing in court. Residents nearby had raised the alarm after his followers moved to the forested area.
- In:
- Kenya
veryGood! (5)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- 2024 Emmys: Why Fans Aren't Happy With Jimmy Kimmel's Bob Newhart In Memoriam Tribute
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Breakup Song
- Ian Somerhalder Shares an Important Lesson He's Teaching His Kids
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Privacy audit: Check permissions, lock your phone and keep snoops out
- Jeremy Allen White Reveals Daughter Dolores' Sweet Nickname in Emmys Shoutout
- Buying a house? Four unconventional ways to become a homeowner.
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- 'Miss our families': Astronauts left behind by Starliner share updates from the ISS
Ranking
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- MLB playoffs: Does 'hot team' reign supreme or will favorites get their mojo back?
- Five reasons Dolphins' future looks grim if Tua Tagovailoa leaves picture after concussion
- 2024 Emmys: Baby Reindeer's Nava Mau Details Need for Transgender Representation in Tearful Interview
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- 2024 Emmys: Joshua Jackson Gives Sweet Shoutout to Beautiful Daughter Juno
- Profiles in clean energy: She founded a business to keep EV charging stations up and running
- Police: 4 killed after multi-vehicle crash in southeast Dallas
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
2024 Emmys: Baby Reindeer's Nava Mau Details Need for Transgender Representation in Tearful Interview
Perry Farrell's Wife Defends Jane's Addiction Singer After His Onstage Altercation With Dave Navarro
'Devastated': Remains of 3-year-old Wisconsin boy missing since February have been found
Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
Quinn Ewers injury update: Texas football QB enters locker room, Arch Manning steps in
Sister Wives' Robyn Brown Says Her and Kody Brown’s Marriage Is the “Worst” It’s Ever Been
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Photographed Together for the First Time Since Divorce Filing