Promised a meeting with Jesus, sentenced to death. 429 bodies found in the forest

Paul Mackenzie, founder of Good News International Church, was sentenced to 200 years in prison for the deaths of 191 followers, primarily children, due to starvation and violence. The court revealed that many victims were coerced into fasting under the belief that it would bring them closer to God. Mackenzie convinced his followers to abandon their homes and move to Shakahola forest, where they were controlled and prevented from leaving. The judge noted that 183 of the victims died from starvation, with others killed by suffocation or beatings. The investigation into the deaths began in April 2023, leading to the discovery of 429 bodies in the area. Mackenzie’s teachings centered on an impending apocalypse, urging followers to fast to meet Jesus, with a plan that prioritized the deaths of children and women.