One of the 39 members of 'Heavens Gate' who committed suicide in March 1997.
She was a self taught computer trainer, she joined the group in 1976.
(Source = People Magazine 14/4/1997)
The San Diego Union-Tribune
30 March 1997
Page A-17
Cheryl Elaine Butcher 42, Springfield, Mo. The last time Cheryl Elaine Butcher visited her hometown, six years ago, she went shopping, to the movies and out to dinner with her mother. In 1993, two years later her mother visited her in Texas. Then she disappeared. At the time of her death, Butcher had been associated with the cult group for half her life. "Her mother would rather that she had not been involved, but her mother knew what her philosophy was and there was no talking her out of it," said family friend Betty Chatman. She was recalled as a happy child who enjoyed ballads, played piano and was intelligent. She became a born-again Christian in her early teens, said Chatman. Butcher was 21 in 1976 when she abandoned her plans for college to join the group. Warned by the family's Baptist preacher that her daughter might be planning to leave, her mother, Virginia Norton, rushed to their Springfield, Mo., home. "Her tea was still hot. I had just missed her," she said.
She was a self taught computer trainer, she joined the group in 1976.
(Source = People Magazine 14/4/1997)
The San Diego Union-Tribune
30 March 1997
Page A-17
Cheryl Elaine Butcher 42, Springfield, Mo. The last time Cheryl Elaine Butcher visited her hometown, six years ago, she went shopping, to the movies and out to dinner with her mother. In 1993, two years later her mother visited her in Texas. Then she disappeared. At the time of her death, Butcher had been associated with the cult group for half her life. "Her mother would rather that she had not been involved, but her mother knew what her philosophy was and there was no talking her out of it," said family friend Betty Chatman. She was recalled as a happy child who enjoyed ballads, played piano and was intelligent. She became a born-again Christian in her early teens, said Chatman. Butcher was 21 in 1976 when she abandoned her plans for college to join the group. Warned by the family's Baptist preacher that her daughter might be planning to leave, her mother, Virginia Norton, rushed to their Springfield, Mo., home. "Her tea was still hot. I had just missed her," she said.
One of the 39 members of 'Heavens Gate' who committed suicide in March 1997.
She was a self taught computer trainer, she joined the group in 1976.
(Source = People Magazine 14/4/1997)
The San Diego Union-Tribune
30 March 1997
Page A-17
Cheryl Elaine Butcher 42, Springfield, Mo. The last time Cheryl Elaine Butcher visited her hometown, six years ago, she went shopping, to the movies and out to dinner with her mother. In 1993, two years later her mother visited her in Texas. Then she disappeared. At the time of her death, Butcher had been associated with the cult group for half her life. "Her mother would rather that she had not been involved, but her mother knew what her philosophy was and there was no talking her out of it," said family friend Betty Chatman. She was recalled as a happy child who enjoyed ballads, played piano and was intelligent. She became a born-again Christian in her early teens, said Chatman. Butcher was 21 in 1976 when she abandoned her plans for college to join the group. Warned by the family's Baptist preacher that her daughter might be planning to leave, her mother, Virginia Norton, rushed to their Springfield, Mo., home. "Her tea was still hot. I had just missed her," she said.
She was a self taught computer trainer, she joined the group in 1976.
(Source = People Magazine 14/4/1997)
The San Diego Union-Tribune
30 March 1997
Page A-17
Cheryl Elaine Butcher 42, Springfield, Mo. The last time Cheryl Elaine Butcher visited her hometown, six years ago, she went shopping, to the movies and out to dinner with her mother. In 1993, two years later her mother visited her in Texas. Then she disappeared. At the time of her death, Butcher had been associated with the cult group for half her life. "Her mother would rather that she had not been involved, but her mother knew what her philosophy was and there was no talking her out of it," said family friend Betty Chatman. She was recalled as a happy child who enjoyed ballads, played piano and was intelligent. She became a born-again Christian in her early teens, said Chatman. Butcher was 21 in 1976 when she abandoned her plans for college to join the group. Warned by the family's Baptist preacher that her daughter might be planning to leave, her mother, Virginia Norton, rushed to their Springfield, Mo., home. "Her tea was still hot. I had just missed her," she said.
Bio by: Christopher Jackson
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