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Early Foundations
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The Meeting
Marshall Applewhite a former music professor and Bonnie Nettles a nurse meet in Texas. They believe they are divine figures sent on a spiritual mission. -
Name Adoption
They adopt the names "Bo and Peep" and later "Ti and Do." They travel across the U.S., studying theology, science fiction, and esoteric beliefs. -
A Revalation
They have a revelation that they are the two witnesses from the Book of Revelation, sent to guide people to a higher evolutionary level. -
Recruitment Event
They hold a recruitment event in Oregon that attracts national attention. Over 20 people leave their lives behind to join the movement, which is then called Human Individual Metamorphosis (HIM). -
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Growth and Isolation
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Going Underground
The group goes underground, cutting off ties with family and society. Members give up their possessions and take new names. -
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Lifestyle Changes
The group adopts an ascetic lifestyle, avoiding sex, alcohol, and entertainment. Members dress in androgynous clothing and prepare for their spiritual departure. -
Bonnie's Death
Bonnie Nettles (Ti) dies of cancer. Applewhite tells followers that she has "shed her vehicle" and ascended to the Next Level. -
Group Teachings
Applewhite modifies the group's teachings in the late 1880's, emphasizing that followers must willingly "exit" their human bodies to reach the Next Level. -
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The Internet Era & Final Preparations
1990's -
New Group Name
The group renames itself Heaven’s Gate and begins publishing materials online. -
A New Home
They move into a mansion in Rancho Santa Fe, California, preparing for their final journey. -
A Sign
Applewhite declares that the Hale-Bopp comet is the sign they have been waiting for, saying a spacecraft is hidden behind the comet. -
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The Mass Suicide
March 22-23, 1997 – The first wave of suicides begins. Members eat phenobarbital mixed with applesauce and vodka, then place bags over their heads.
March 24-25, 1997 – The remaining members repeat the process in shifts. Applewhite is the last to die.
March 26, 1997 – Police discover the bodies of 39 members dressed in identical black clothing and Nike sneakers, covered with purple cloths. -
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Aftermath & Legacy
March 27, 1997 – The group's website is discovered, along with farewell videos explaining their beliefs.
Present Day – A few surviving members maintain the Heaven’s Gate website and continue to answer inquiries about the group’s teachings.