A charismatic leader at the heart of apocalyptic beliefs and a mass suicide scare in California.
Reyna Marisol Chicas, a Salvadoran immigrant and mother of two, gained notoriety in 2010 as the leader of a small religious group in Palmdale, California. The group, which had broken away from a local Christian church, consisted primarily of Salvadoran immigrants, including three adult sisters, a 19-year-old son, and eight children. Chicas, described as charismatic, led the group in fervent prayer sessions that often involved overnight gatherings at members’ homes.
The group’s beliefs and practices were rooted in Pentecostal traditions, with a strong emphasis on prayer and spiritual purity. Chicas, who was 32 years old at the time, claimed to have received divine visions and messages, which formed the basis of her leadership and the group’s teachings. Their focus on renouncing worldly possessions and preparing for a spiritual encounter with Jesus became a central aspect of their faith.
Disappearance and Search
In September 2010, the group’s sudden disappearance sparked widespread concern and media attention. The alarm was raised when two husbands reported their wives and children missing, handing over a purse containing personal belongings of 13 group members. The contents of the purse included notes that read like wills and testaments, mentioning meeting Jesus and deceased relatives. These farewell letters, combined with the group’s sudden vanishing, led to fears of a potential mass suicide pact.
The disappearance triggered a significant search operation by authorities. Over 50 deputies were involved in a 22-hour manhunt, covering areas including the San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley. The search was fueled by growing concerns from family members and the discovery of personal belongings, which suggested the possibility of a collective suicide plan.
Discovery and Aftermath
After an intense search, the group was found safe in a park in Palmdale. Contrary to the initial fears, it was revealed that Chicas and her followers had no intention of harming themselves. They insisted that their actions were driven by faith and a desire for spiritual purity, not by a death wish. The group explained that they had gathered for prayer and to escape what they perceived as the evil of worldly possessions.
Despite the peaceful resolution, the incident raised several concerns. Reyna Chicas was placed under a 72-hour psychiatric hold after displaying confusion about her identity and her children. As a precautionary measure, child welfare authorities took her two children into custody.
The other group members, while unharmed, faced questioning about their intentions and beliefs. They maintained that their departure and actions were solely motivated by their religious convictions and not by any harmful intentions. This explanation, however, did little to alleviate the concerns of family members and authorities who had feared the worst during the group’s disappearance.
image via Fox News
