Casefile True Crime Case 60: Jonestown (Part 3)
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Sep 23, 2017 A congressman's visit to Jonestown reveals shocking truths, igniting tensions with Jim Jones. As moments escalate, a horrific ambush unfolds, leading to a tragic display of loyalty and fear. In a chilling twist, Jones orchestrates a mass ‘revolutionary suicide,’ forcing members to drink poison, including young children. The aftermath is a haunting discovery of bodies and widespread trauma. Survivors recount their harrowing escapes while the legacy of that day prompts important reflections on accountability and memory.
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Congressman's Visit Sparks Defections
- Congressman Leo Ryan toured Jonestown and sensed staged happiness among residents during interviews and cottage inspections.
- Several residents, including Edith Parks and her family, approached Ryan asking to leave, triggering tensions with Jim Jones.
Assault On Ryan And Suspicious Passenger
- Don Sly attacked Congressman Ryan with a knife during the visit, but Ryan survived the assault.
- Larry Layton then joined the departing group and was later revealed to have hidden a revolver on his person.
Airstrip Ambush Caught On Film
- As defectors boarded planes at Port Kaituma, armed Jonestown guards approached and opened fire on the airstrip.
- NBC cameraman Bob Brown filmed the attack until he was shot and his camera fell silent.