Episode 596: The Krugersdorp Cult Murders Part III - Your English Teacher Loves Murder
Last Podcast On The Left
Key Insights
Why did Cecilia Steyn manipulate her followers into committing murders?
She relished in convincing others to commit murders on her behalf.
How did Cecilia Steyn justify the murders to her followers?
She cited the Old Testament, claiming God had ordered murder all the time.
Why did the police initially suspect Rhea Grunewald for the murders?
They interpreted Overcomers Through Christ literature as occult material, making Rhea a closet Satanist.
How did Cecilia Steyn keep some members of Electus Perdeus in the dark about the murders?
She limited their involvement to weekly meetings and excluded them from planning committees.
Why did Michaela Valentine change her appearance after the double murder?
She was traumatized and fell into a gloomy depression, adopting a goth appearance.
Why did Cecilia Steyn choose to murder Pastor Reg Ben Dixon?
She convinced her followers that Reg had led Rhea astray and was perverting their Christian message.
How did Cecilia Steyn manipulate her followers into committing more murders?
She played on the sunk cost fallacy, emphasizing the meaningless of previous murders if they stopped now.
Why did the police fail to act on James Vermock's confessions?
The files containing their confessions were allegedly corrupted, and there was investigative incompetence.
How did Cecilia Steyn manage to avoid arrest despite multiple confessions?
The police were overwhelmed and incompetent, often focusing on the wrong suspects.
Why did the cult members believe they were justified in their actions?
They believed they were avenging angels and Christian soldiers, acting on God's orders.
Chapters
- Cecilia Steyn convinced followers to bomb a prayer group, burn down a church, and murder innocent people.
- She used the concept of saving fictitious orphans in America to justify the murders.
- Rhea Grunewald, a former follower, was framed for the murders she orchestrated.
Shownotes Transcript