The SMS Murders

How a Pentecostal religious sect brainwashed a member to kill.

This is a story of a religious cult, manipulative pastor, murder, and attempted murder in the village of Knutby, Sweden.

People have asked “What kind of person falls under the spell of a cult?” But the reality is, there is no type of person. Sure some characteristics may be a common theme, like naivety, disillusionment, or lack of self-confidence, but research shows that the majority of members lie within the normal range of behavioral characteristics. Tennessee State University found that just like an effective sales organization, cults adjust their pitch to the personality and needs of their prospects. That’s why it feels like this sect was made just for you and that these are your soul people. Cults aren’t always bad or dangerous, some people live just fine and fulfilled in their small bubble. But it’s organizations like Heaven’s Gate, The Manson family, and The People’s Temple that contort their messages, often so far removed from spirituality, into weapons against their very own followers. In a small Swedish village lives a story of manipulation and brainwashing through sex and through religion that left the world in awe.