HBM043: Last Chance To Evacuate Earth

Marshall Applewhite met Bonnie Nettles in 1972, and together they built a religion. It was called Heaven's Gate, and it drew heavily from the bible, astrology, and Star Trek. Applewhite and Nettles believed they were placed on Earth to deliver a holy message. They were the leaders of their new religion, and they changed their names to Do and Ti (pronounced "doe" and "tea"). After Nettle's death, the group developed a larger, stronger following, its doctrine evolved—incorporating more and more elements of outer space and astronomical phenomenons. In 1997, Heaven's Gate became known to the public as the world's most infamous UFO cult, when 39 members (including Applewhite) ate poison and died in their Californian mansion. They believed that the comet Hale Bopp was their exit to a higher life.

But before all this, Heaven's Gate supported itself financially through web design. The cult created a small company called Higher Source, and together, members of the group would travel to different businesses and build them their first websites. It was through Higher Source that Heather Chronert met the members of Heaven's Gate. She was an employee of the San Diego Polo Club, and it was her job to work closely with two Higher Source web designers on the design and execution of the polo club's website.

Steven and Yvonne Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio found Heaven's Gate online. The two were unhappy with their lives in Ohio, and when they happened on heavensgate.com, it seemed like they'd found a religion tailor-made for them. Steven and Yvonne abandoned their lives in Ohio and moved to California to join the cult. Steven was one of the last people to defect from Heaven's Gate before the comet lit up the sky and the believers of Heaven's Gate killed themselves.

If you're feeling suicidal, or know someone who is, know that help is available for you and that suicide is preventable. We recommend reaching out to The Samaritans, who operate a 24 hour hotline at (877) 870-4673. Callers outside of the US should look at organizations available in their country on this list from Suicide.org.

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This episode was produced by Lina Misitzis. The episode was edited by Jeff Emtman, Bethany Denton and Nick White. Special thanks to Amy Isaacson.

Music: Flowers ||| Swamp Dog ||| Serocell ||| The Black Spot

Screenshot of Higher Source's Website as of April 1997.

Screenshot of the San Diego Polo Club's Website as of April 1997. Website designed by Higher Source.

Heaven's Gate's website as of July 2015. The website is still maintained by 2 surviving members.

Heaven's Gate's statement against suicide.

Screenshot of Marshall Applewhite speaking in a Heaven's Gate recruitment tape. Abnormal coloration is due to VHS artifacts.

Screenshot of Marshall Applewhite speaking in a Heaven's Gate recruitment tape. Abnormal coloration is due to VHS artifacts.

Screenshot of Marshall Applewhite speaking in a Heaven's Gate recruitment tape. Abnormal coloration is due to VHS artifacts.

Screenshot of Marshall Applewhite speaking in a Heaven's Gate recruitment tape. Abnormal coloration is due to VHS artifacts.

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