The Branch Davidian cult’s leader, David Koresh, was claimed to have died from a gunshot wound to the head before the cult’s property was destroyed by fire, according to the police, who stated that they had located and identified his body.
According to Judge David Pareya, a peace judge in charge of the investigation into the deaths of the cult members in the April 19 fire, Mr. Koresh’s severely charred body was discovered in the ruins of the group’s compound. He also mentioned that Mr. Koresh’s head was fragmented.
If Mr. Koresh, 33, had been slain or if he had committed suicide, the officials would not disclose it. According to the officials, the bullet wound was in the middle of his forehead.
According to Mr. Pareya, his body was discovered all by itself next to the compound’s kitchen and communications area. The authorities did not disclose the precise time of Mr. Koresh’s death. Recovery of the Body on April 22. (as reported by the New York Times)
On April 22, his body was removed from the facility, but Mr. Pareya claimed it took several days to regain his damaged head. He said (as reported by Los Angeles Times) –
“The condition of the body was about the condition of the rest of the bodies that were there, extensive burning.”
He claimed that X-rays and dental molds allowed for the identification of Mr. Koresh’s remains. Byron Sage, the main negotiator for the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the 51-day siege with the cult, said (as reported by Tampa Bay Times) –
“There was no doubt that he was there. It just helps put an end to the story.”
As agents sent tanks into the compound to break down the walls and spray tear gas, the fire started a few hours later. Authorities have recovered 72 bodies from the wreckage, including the remains of 17 children, but officials warned that different bodies might have been burned and may never be found.
The fire was ignited by cult members, according to independent investigators, although some of the nine survivors claim agents were responsible after a tank knocked over a light. The sixth body that investigators have publicly identified is that of Mr. Koresh.
All displayed signs of gunshot wounds. According to Mr. Pareya, nine other people have been identified preliminarily. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents raided the property on February 28 to serve a warrant related to allegations of gun offenses.
Recently, there have been several deaths in the public eye that garnered a lot of attention, and we have been covering the following causes of death:
- Gina Lollobrigida Cause of Death: Italian Bombshell Movie Star Dies at 95!
- Jerry Richardson Cause of Death: How Did He Pass Away?
This was when the siege started. Four agents and an undetermined number of cult members were killed in a shooting that ensued. Mr. Koresh, born Vernon Howell and went by that name throughout his life, frequently referred to himself as the Lamb of God, and many of his followers saw him as the Messiah.
However, Mr. Koresh, a ninth-grader who took control of the Branch Davidians in 1987, asserted at one time that he was outraged by such comparisons made by reporters. He claimed to be only a prophet.
