**
In a case that has haunted Missouri for nearly three years, six individuals vanished without a trace, their fates intertwined with a controversial online cult. The group, which includes two young children, was last seen on August 13, 2023, at a Quality Inn hotel in Florissant. As investigators delve deeper into the mysterious circumstances surrounding their disappearance, a new lead from social media has sparked renewed hope for their families.
The Missing Group and Their Cult Ties
The six missing persons are Ma’Kayla Wickerson, 28, and her five-year-old daughter, Malaiyah; Mikayla Thompson, 27; Naaman Williams, 32; Gerrielle German, 30; and her five-year-old daughter, Ashton Mitchell. All six resided together in a rental home near St. Louis, where they reportedly engaged in eccentric and unsettling behaviours linked to the “University of Cosmic Intelligence,” an online cult founded by the self-proclaimed prophet and rapper Rashad Jamal. This group has garnered a significant following, luring in vulnerable individuals with its teachings of spiritual enlightenment and apocalyptic prophecies.
As police continue their investigation, they have uncovered disturbing testimonies from neighbours who described the group’s odd rituals. “They were really off the grid,” noted Berkeley Police Major Steve Runge. “They believed the world was ending and that they were not from here.” Witnesses reported seeing the group engaging in strange practices, such as digging in their yard and worshipping the sun, often clad in little more than their own skin.
A Promising Lead Emerges
Recently, a TikTok video surfaced, possibly showing Ma’Kayla Wickerson, reigniting hopes that the missing individuals could still be alive. Detective Sergeant George Ervin is pursuing a warrant to identify the account holder behind the video, but the slow judicial process has left many questions unanswered. “Was it actually our missing person? Or is this some copycat just using a picture?” Ervin pondered aloud, underscoring the uncertainty that has plagued the investigation.
Major Runge remains resolute, promising families that the authorities will not relent in their search. “I’ve vowed to them that we won’t give up, and we haven’t,” he insisted. As the investigation continues, the police are exploring every lead, from rental car records to phone data, but as Runge lamented, “There’s no digital footprint. It’s as if they vanished into thin air.”
The Impact of a Cult’s Grip
The cult-like atmosphere surrounding the missing individuals presents a troubling picture of how vulnerable people can be drawn into dangerous ideologies. According to investigators, followers of Jamal often adopt aliases of deities and sever ties with their families, becoming isolated in their beliefs. This troubling trend has raised alarms among mental health advocates and family members alike.
Cartisha Morgan, the grandmother of Malaiyah and mother of Ma’Kayla, expressed her anguish over the prolonged absence of her family. “I just want them home, and I hope that they’re safe,” Morgan said, highlighting the heart-wrenching reality faced by those left behind. She believes her daughter’s mental health struggles made her particularly susceptible to the cult’s influence, calling attention to the need for greater awareness regarding mental illness.
Why it Matters
The disappearance of these six individuals serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by manipulative groups that prey on the vulnerable. As more people turn to online communities for support, it is critical to scrutinise the ideologies they encounter. Each day that passes without answers only deepens the tragedy, not just for the families involved, but for society at large, which must grapple with the implications of unchecked cult influence. The case underscores the dire need for increased mental health support and vigilant community awareness to prevent such heart-wrenching situations from recurring.
