Two days after police found the decomposing bodies of 39 cult members in a mansion in the wealthy Southern California enclave of Rancho Santa Fe, the two deputies who first investigated the scene came forward to give their account of the tragic discovery.
"From the odor outside, we knew there was death in there," said Laura Gacek, who arrived on the scene 15 minutes after deputy Robert Brunk. "We just didn't realize the enormity of what we were about to walk in on." After finding only 10 of the bodies, Gacek and Brunk exchanged glances and left the house.
"We were fairly certain no one was left alive, and we became concerned for our own safety," said Brunk, who explained during a Friday afternoon news conference at the San Diego Medical Examiner's Office that the two were afraid there might be toxic fumes present in the tightly sealed house.
As it turned out, the fumes were simply the stench of the decomposing bodies, many of which may have been lifeless since as early as Saturday, say investigators. Notes found on the premises indicate that the members of the Heaven's Gate cult killed themselves in three groups, with the first and second groups each including 15 people who killed themselves with a phenobarbital mixed in either pudding or applesauce and washed down with vodka.
The first two groups were assisted by other members of the cult. The last group apparently immolated with the aid of the only two cult members who were found unshrouded and with plastic bag fastened over their heads.
Indications are that the suicides were long-planned, even though those closest to cult members say they had no indication. "A few months ago, they had been talking about going to a third-world country," said Al Vignato, owner of the Rancho Car Wash, and a friend of two cult members who called themselves Logan and Hal. "They felt alienated by all the wealth in Southern California and one month ago they decided to go to Appalachia. The news that they killed themselves was a complete shock."
At this point in the case, investigators say they are all but certain that the deaths were suicides and that the cult was an isolated group with no ties to groups elsewhere. "There's a slim chance that the computers we confiscated may contain files indicating connections with other groups," said Lt. Gerald Lipscomb, the head of the San Diego Sheriffs' Department homicide division. "But we'll be bringing in the FBI. They have experience dealing with the guts and souls and hearts of computers."
Medical examiners have so far completed 21 autopsies and notified 30 of the victims' families. Investigators say they have no plans to call a formal inquest in the case. "There's no indication that this was in any way a criminal act," said Lipscomb. "Our responsibility is to close the case, not get involved in some cult investigation."
