Aum Shinrikyo and Cults that Went Wacko

Order of the Solar Temple
Oct. 5, 1994: Solar Temple deaths in Switzerland

At its height, the Order had nearly 500 members. But internal dissension and accusations of fakery led to a steep decline. Jouret and Di Mambro had a falling out. In October 1994, a series of murders, suicides and fires wiped out most of the cult. (Di Mambro left a note deriding Jouret's staging of his own exit.) A year later, survivors staged another set of suicides. A total of 74 people died.

Remains of the Day

• The 1992 Waco Standoff