Glen Helzer
Spree Killer Cult Leader
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Concord, California
TIME PERIOD
July 30 – August 7, 2000
VICTIMS
5 confirmed
Glen Taylor Helzer, a self-declared prophet and former cult leader of the Children of Thunder, orchestrated a series of murders between July 30 and August 7, 2000, in California as part of an extortion plot aimed at taking over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Helzer, along with his brother Justin and accomplice Dawn Godman, kidnapped and murdered Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly couple, in Concord, California, forcing them to write checks totaling $100,000 before killing them. They subsequently murdered Selina Bishop, Helzer's girlfriend and the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop, on August 2 to eliminate any potential witness. Helzer was apprehended on August 7, 2000, and was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, receiving a death sentence on March 11, 2005. He is currently imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison, where he remains on death row. Significant evidence includes the checks written by the Stinemans and testimonies from surviving witnesses connected to the case.
Glen Helzer is believed to have formed the Children of Thunder cult with the intent to leverage their criminal activities to gain control of the LDS Church and expedite the Second Coming of Christ. Some speculate that his mental health issues, particularly his bipolar disorder, may have contributed to his delusions of grandeur and violent actions. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Helzer's excommunication from the LDS Church played a significant role in his radicalization and subsequent criminal behavior.
The Dark Path of Glen Helzer: A Tale of Murder and Manipulation
The Rise of a Self-Proclaimed Prophet
Born on July 26, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan, Glen Taylor Helzer seemed destined for an ordinary life. Raised by devout Mormon parents, Gerry and Carma Helzer, Glen shared his childhood with a younger sister, Heather, and a brother, Justin. After graduating from Ygnacio Valley High School, Glen served in the National Guard in Texas and embarked on a missionary journey to Brazil. His career as a stockbroker at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter painted a picture of success, but beneath it lay a turbulent mind. By August 1998, Glen's life took a detour when he went on disability due to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This diagnosis marked the beginning of his descent into darkness.
Glen's personal life was equally tumultuous. In April 1993, he married Ann, and the couple had two daughters. However, by June 1996, they had separated, leaving Glen's family life in disarray.
The Emergence of the Children of Thunder
On Memorial Day 1999, at a murder mystery dinner hosted by a Mormon congregation in Walnut Creek, California, Glen and Justin Helzer encountered Dawn Godman. This meeting marked the inception of a sinister alliance. Godman, who soon became Justin's girlfriend, moved in with the Helzer brothers in Concord, California, in April 2000. Around the same time, Glen faced excommunication from the LDS Church due to drug use. Undeterred, he declared himself a prophet, crafting "The Twelve Principles of Magic," a list of maxims he imposed on his followers.
Glen's grandiose plans included training Brazilian orphans to assassinate Mormon leaders, thus paving his way to take over the LDS Church. His ultimate aim was to establish a self-help group called Transform America, a utopia of "peace and joy." His following, the Children of Thunder, was born from these twisted ambitions.
A Trail of Blood: The Murders
To finance his apocalyptic vision, Glen devised a chilling extortion scheme targeting Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly couple in Concord, California. They had been his clients during his stockbroker days. On July 30, 2000, Glen, Justin, and Godman kidnapped the Stinemans, forcing them to write checks for $100,000 before brutally murdering them.
But the bloodshed didn't stop there. On August 2, Glen murdered his girlfriend, Selina Bishop, the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop. Selina had unknowingly been part of Glen's plan, opening bank accounts under her name to assist him in hiding the extorted money. Glen feared she might expose him, sealing her tragic fate.
Glen's paranoia extended to Jennifer Villarin, Selina's mother, and her friend, James Gamble. On a fateful night at Bishop's apartment, Glen eliminated them both using a gun registered to Justin Helzer. The gruesome spree left five dead, all victims of a deranged vision.
The Investigation and Arrest
The gruesome discovery of dismembered remains in duffel bags from the Sacramento River Delta connected the dots for investigators. A note by Ivan Stineman found at the crime scene mentioned Taylor Helzer, and friends of Bishop identified Glen from a photo as "Jordan." The investigation revealed Glen's ownership of a 1998 Saturn sedan and Justin's possession of a white 1995 Nissan pickup, both linked to the murders.
Further evidence emerged when fingerprints belonging to Justin and Godman were found in the Stinemans' stolen and abandoned van. Justin had also recently purchased a 9-millimeter Beretta, the murder weapon used against Villarin and Gamble.
On August 7, 2000, police arrested Justin Helzer and Godman at their Concord home. Glen, however, fled to a nearby house, threatening a woman for money, a gun, and a car. Despite his attempts to evade capture, he was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Trials and Sentencing
Dawn Godman struck a plea deal, agreeing to testify against the Helzer brothers. Her testimony led to a sentence of twenty-five years to life for the murders, with an additional twelve years and eight months for other related charges. Glen, acknowledging his heinous acts, pleaded guilty to all charges and received a death sentence on March 11, 2005.
Justin, attempting to evade responsibility, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing a delusional disorder. However, the court found him guilty, sentencing him to death. His time in San Quentin was marked by tragedy; in 2010, he attempted suicide by ramming pens into his eyes, leaving him blind and brain-damaged. On April 14, 2013, he took his own life by hanging while incarcerated.
Sources
For those seeking further details, refer to the following resources:
- "Children of Thunder". Occult Crimes. 2015. Netflix.
- Gumbel, Andrew (June 14, 2004). "A Nude Model, Five Bodies and the Mormon Assassination Plot Attempt". Independent.
- Scott, Robert (2005). Unholy Sacrifice. Pinnacle Books.
- Read, Simon (January 14, 2002). "Alleged gym bag killers appear in court". SF Gate.
- Bulwa, Demian (June 24, 2004). "Details of Bizarre Plot to Kill in God's Name". SF Gate.
- Rogers, Patrick (September 4, 2000). "Blues for Selina". People.
For a more comprehensive exploration, visit the Wikipedia page on Glen Helzer.
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First Murders Committed
Glen Helzer and accomplices kidnap and murder Ivan and Annette Stineman.
Selina Bishop Murdered
Helzer murders his girlfriend Selina Bishop to prevent her from revealing information.
Jennifer Villarin Murdered
Helzer kills Jennifer Villarin and her friend James Gamble to eliminate witnesses.
Arrests Made
Police arrest Glen Helzer, Justin Helzer, and Dawn Godman in connection with the murders.
Trial Begins
Glen Helzer's trial begins, revealing details of the murder spree and cult activities.
Sentenced to Death
Glen Helzer is sentenced to death for his role in the quintuple murder.
Final Defendant Sentenced
Dawn Godman is sentenced to 25 years to life for her involvement in the murders.
Justin Helzer Commits Suicide
Justin Helzer, sentenced to death, commits suicide in prison.
Glen Taylor Helzer, a self-declared prophet and former cult leader of the Children of Thunder, orchestrated a series of murders between July 30 and August 7, 2000, in California as part of an extortion plot aimed at taking over the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Helzer, along with his brother Justin and accomplice Dawn Godman, kidnapped and murdered Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly couple, in Concord, California, forcing them to write checks totaling $100,000 before killing them. They subsequently murdered Selina Bishop, Helzer's girlfriend and the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop, on August 2 to eliminate any potential witness. Helzer was apprehended on August 7, 2000, and was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, receiving a death sentence on March 11, 2005. He is currently imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison, where he remains on death row. Significant evidence includes the checks written by the Stinemans and testimonies from surviving witnesses connected to the case.
Glen Helzer is believed to have formed the Children of Thunder cult with the intent to leverage their criminal activities to gain control of the LDS Church and expedite the Second Coming of Christ. Some speculate that his mental health issues, particularly his bipolar disorder, may have contributed to his delusions of grandeur and violent actions. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that Helzer's excommunication from the LDS Church played a significant role in his radicalization and subsequent criminal behavior.
The Dark Path of Glen Helzer: A Tale of Murder and Manipulation
The Rise of a Self-Proclaimed Prophet
Born on July 26, 1970, in Lansing, Michigan, Glen Taylor Helzer seemed destined for an ordinary life. Raised by devout Mormon parents, Gerry and Carma Helzer, Glen shared his childhood with a younger sister, Heather, and a brother, Justin. After graduating from Ygnacio Valley High School, Glen served in the National Guard in Texas and embarked on a missionary journey to Brazil. His career as a stockbroker at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter painted a picture of success, but beneath it lay a turbulent mind. By August 1998, Glen's life took a detour when he went on disability due to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This diagnosis marked the beginning of his descent into darkness.
Glen's personal life was equally tumultuous. In April 1993, he married Ann, and the couple had two daughters. However, by June 1996, they had separated, leaving Glen's family life in disarray.
The Emergence of the Children of Thunder
On Memorial Day 1999, at a murder mystery dinner hosted by a Mormon congregation in Walnut Creek, California, Glen and Justin Helzer encountered Dawn Godman. This meeting marked the inception of a sinister alliance. Godman, who soon became Justin's girlfriend, moved in with the Helzer brothers in Concord, California, in April 2000. Around the same time, Glen faced excommunication from the LDS Church due to drug use. Undeterred, he declared himself a prophet, crafting "The Twelve Principles of Magic," a list of maxims he imposed on his followers.
Glen's grandiose plans included training Brazilian orphans to assassinate Mormon leaders, thus paving his way to take over the LDS Church. His ultimate aim was to establish a self-help group called Transform America, a utopia of "peace and joy." His following, the Children of Thunder, was born from these twisted ambitions.
A Trail of Blood: The Murders
To finance his apocalyptic vision, Glen devised a chilling extortion scheme targeting Ivan and Annette Stineman, an elderly couple in Concord, California. They had been his clients during his stockbroker days. On July 30, 2000, Glen, Justin, and Godman kidnapped the Stinemans, forcing them to write checks for $100,000 before brutally murdering them.
But the bloodshed didn't stop there. On August 2, Glen murdered his girlfriend, Selina Bishop, the daughter of blues guitarist Elvin Bishop. Selina had unknowingly been part of Glen's plan, opening bank accounts under her name to assist him in hiding the extorted money. Glen feared she might expose him, sealing her tragic fate.
Glen's paranoia extended to Jennifer Villarin, Selina's mother, and her friend, James Gamble. On a fateful night at Bishop's apartment, Glen eliminated them both using a gun registered to Justin Helzer. The gruesome spree left five dead, all victims of a deranged vision.
The Investigation and Arrest
The gruesome discovery of dismembered remains in duffel bags from the Sacramento River Delta connected the dots for investigators. A note by Ivan Stineman found at the crime scene mentioned Taylor Helzer, and friends of Bishop identified Glen from a photo as "Jordan." The investigation revealed Glen's ownership of a 1998 Saturn sedan and Justin's possession of a white 1995 Nissan pickup, both linked to the murders.
Further evidence emerged when fingerprints belonging to Justin and Godman were found in the Stinemans' stolen and abandoned van. Justin had also recently purchased a 9-millimeter Beretta, the murder weapon used against Villarin and Gamble.
On August 7, 2000, police arrested Justin Helzer and Godman at their Concord home. Glen, however, fled to a nearby house, threatening a woman for money, a gun, and a car. Despite his attempts to evade capture, he was apprehended shortly thereafter.
Trials and Sentencing
Dawn Godman struck a plea deal, agreeing to testify against the Helzer brothers. Her testimony led to a sentence of twenty-five years to life for the murders, with an additional twelve years and eight months for other related charges. Glen, acknowledging his heinous acts, pleaded guilty to all charges and received a death sentence on March 11, 2005.
Justin, attempting to evade responsibility, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing a delusional disorder. However, the court found him guilty, sentencing him to death. His time in San Quentin was marked by tragedy; in 2010, he attempted suicide by ramming pens into his eyes, leaving him blind and brain-damaged. On April 14, 2013, he took his own life by hanging while incarcerated.
Sources
For those seeking further details, refer to the following resources:
- "Children of Thunder". Occult Crimes. 2015. Netflix.
- Gumbel, Andrew (June 14, 2004). "A Nude Model, Five Bodies and the Mormon Assassination Plot Attempt". Independent.
- Scott, Robert (2005). Unholy Sacrifice. Pinnacle Books.
- Read, Simon (January 14, 2002). "Alleged gym bag killers appear in court". SF Gate.
- Bulwa, Demian (June 24, 2004). "Details of Bizarre Plot to Kill in God's Name". SF Gate.
- Rogers, Patrick (September 4, 2000). "Blues for Selina". People.
For a more comprehensive exploration, visit the Wikipedia page on Glen Helzer.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murders Committed
Glen Helzer and accomplices kidnap and murder Ivan and Annette Stineman.
Selina Bishop Murdered
Helzer murders his girlfriend Selina Bishop to prevent her from revealing information.
Jennifer Villarin Murdered
Helzer kills Jennifer Villarin and her friend James Gamble to eliminate witnesses.
Arrests Made
Police arrest Glen Helzer, Justin Helzer, and Dawn Godman in connection with the murders.
Trial Begins
Glen Helzer's trial begins, revealing details of the murder spree and cult activities.
Sentenced to Death
Glen Helzer is sentenced to death for his role in the quintuple murder.
Final Defendant Sentenced
Dawn Godman is sentenced to 25 years to life for her involvement in the murders.
Justin Helzer Commits Suicide
Justin Helzer, sentenced to death, commits suicide in prison.