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'Daughters of the Cult' air date, synopsis and the real-life story behind Ervil LeBaron the 'Mormon Manson'

The sheer scale of Ervil LeBaron's crimes and the traumatic effect it had on the victims and survivors of his cult is staggering.

Documentary miniseries name: Daughters of the Cult

Platform: Hulu

Country of origin: USA

Date of Release: January 4, 2024: 

Genre: True Crime

What is 'Daughters of the Cult' about?

'Daughters of the Cult' revolves around the polygamous Mormon offshoot Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God cult founded in San Diego and later Mexico by Ervil Morrell LeBaron -- dubbed the Mormon Manson -- and the murders and atrocities committed in his name and under his orders. According to Hulu's official synopsis the miniseries talks to survivors, relatives of killers, and law enforcement "to paint an emotional and grisly picture of a brutal madman ordering cold-blooded executions".

Who was Ervil Morrell LeBaron?

Ervil LeBaron was the younger brother of Joel LeBaron and second-in-command of the polygamous Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times in Salt Lake City. After a falling out with Joel, Ervil started his own church -- Church of the First Born of the Lamb of God -- in San Diego in 1972. Ervil was accused of ordering the murder of Joel, who was killed in Mexico that same year. When Joel and Ervil's brother Verlan took over the 'Firstborn' church, Ervil tried to have him killed too. Ervil is also known to have ordered the killings of polygamous leaders Bob Simons and Rulon C Allred. He also ordered the killings of Dean Grover Vest and Noemi Zarate Chynoweth. It is also alleged that Ervil ordered the murder of his 17-year-old pregnant daughter Rebecca. 

Who carried out Ervil Morrell LeBaron's grisly orders?  

Ervil LeBaron's thirteenth wife, Rena Chynoweth, carried out the murder of Rulon C Allred along with Ervil's stepdaughter, Ramona Marston. And although Chynoweth was tried and acquitted, she later confessed to Allred's murder in her memoir, 'The Blood Covenant'. Ervil's tenth wife, Vonda White, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Vest. It was alleged that Thelma Chynoweth-- Noemi's sister-wife -- helped in the murder. It is also alleged that Ervil's stepson Eddie Marston and brother-in-law Duane Chynoweth killed his daughter Rebecca.

Was Ervil LeBaron ever arrested for his crimes?

Ervil was arrested for ordering a murder twice. The first time was in 1974, when he was arrested, tried, and convicted in Mexico for Joel's murder. The conviction was overturned on a technicality, although there is speculation that the judge may have been bribed. On June 1, 1979, Ervil LeBaron was extradited to the United States from Mexico and tried for ordering the murder of Rulon C Allred. He was convicted in 1980 and sentenced to life imprisonment in Utah. 

How did Ervil LeBaron die?

Less than a year after his conviction and life imprisonment for ordering the killing of Allred, Ervil apparently killed himself. His body was found in his cell. Ervil's brother Verlan, whom Ervil had spent the better part of a decade trying to have killed, died in an auto accident in Mexico City two days after Ervil was found dead in his cell.

Did the murders stop after Ervil LeBaron's death?

You'd think, but no. While he was in prison Ervil created a kill list of 'disobedient' church members. Twenty copies were sent out and on June 27, 1988 (seven years after Ervil's death), at 4pm, three of the murders were carried out simultaneously in what was to become known as the '4 O'Clock Murders'. The victims were Duane Chynoweth, Eddie Marston, and Mark Chynoweth. It is claimed that more than 25 people were killed as a result of LeBaron's posthumous orders. 

Has there been a movie made about Ervil LeBaron? 

You'd think there would be a slew, but no, just one: 'Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story'. LeBaron was played by the late great Brian Dennehy and it was directed by Jud Taylor who also directed 'The Old Man and the Sea' and the 1984 Denzel Washington-starrer 'License to Kill'.

Are there any good books on the LeBaron murders?

Yes, there are quite a few. Considered to be the best are 'Prophet of Blood: The Untold Story of Ervil LeBaron and the Lambs of God' by Ben Bradlee and Dale Van Atta and 'The 4 O'Clock Murders: The True Story of a Mormon Family's Vengeance' by Scott Anderson.

Is 'Daughters of the Cult' worth watching?

The sheer scale of Ervil LeBaron's crimes and the traumatic effect it had on the victims and their families, not to mention the survivors of his cult, is staggering. The documentary should be chillingly riveting. A must-watch, but not for the faint-hearted.   

MEAWW Watch ranking

4 out of 5

'Daughters of the Cult' trailer