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Children of Thunder
Glenn Helzer is excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) due to drug use and erratic behavior.
He begins developing his own apocalyptic religious beliefs, seeing himself as a prophet destined to eliminate Satan and usher in peace. -
Formation of the Group
Helzer recruits his younger brother, Justin Helzer, and his girlfriend/accomplice, Dawn Godman, forming the Children of Thunder movement.
The group believes they must raise money to fund their divine mission and begins plotting criminal activities. -
The Murders
The group devises a scheme to extort money from Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly couple. The Stinemans are kidnapped and forced to write checks before being murdered. They also kill Selina Bishop, the daughter of blues musician Elvin Bishop, who was unknowingly involved in their money-laundering scheme. Two other associates, Jennifer Villarin and James Gamble, are also murdered to eliminate witnesses. -
Arrests
Police uncover the group’s activities after discovering body parts in the Sacramento River. Glenn, Justin, and Dawn are arrested. -
Trial and Sentencing
Glenn Helzer is sentenced to death for orchestrating the murders. Justin Helzer is also sentenced to death but later commits suicide in 2013 while in prison. Dawn Godman pleads guilty and is sentenced to 38 years to life. -
Aftermath
The group’s crimes remain one of the most disturbing cult-related murders in California’s history and Glenn Helzer remains on death row as of the latest updates.