The messed up truth of David Koresh includes a dysfunctional childhood, religious fanaticism, rockstar aspirations, manipulative tactics, child abuse, and a stand-off with the FBI. In 1990-ish, Koresh took over a Christian sect called the Branch Davidians. He preached of an imminent apocalypse, and the cult started stockpiling weapons and running military drills, aiming to become a so-called Army of God. At the same time, Koresh ordered that all the other men be celibate, while he chose wives (including very young girls) from the women. He also controlled where and when everyone slept, and limited access to food.
On February 28, 1993, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) conducted a disastrous raid on the Davidians' compound outside of Waco, TX, which killed six cult members and four officers, and led to a stand-off with the survivors. On April 19, a fire destroyed the compound, apparently started from the inside.
Fifty bodies were recovered: 17 had been shot, including at least four children. According to the LA Times, on May 2, authorities confirmed that Koresh's body was among them. They reported that he had likely died from a gunshot wound, not from the fire, although it's not clear who inflicted it. A month later, Koresh was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tyler, TX, at a private funeral. Originally the grave was unmarked, but as TIME reported in 2013, at some point a small marker was added.
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