Latest news with #TwelveTribes
Buzz Feed
23-06-2025
- Buzz Feed
Judy Garland's Death And Ted Bundy's Last-Meal
Do you love all things weird, dark, and creepy? Subscribe to the That Got Dark newsletter to get your weekly dopamine fix of the macabre! It's a scary good time you won't want to miss. Welcome to That Got Dark! I'm Crystal, and I have a habit of going down deep and dark rabbit holes, which maybe isn't recommended for a good night's sleep, but hey, I just can't help myself! Here's the thing: I love to share all the terrible, weird, and scary things I discover. So, every week, I'll gather the darkest and creepiest things I find on the internet (and beyond) to share just with you, my spooky-loving friend. So, tuck yourself in tight and get out that flashlight…it's about to get dark. So, here's something I wish I had never learned — a teenage TikToker in Florida, known for his "high-speed" driving videos, recklessly killed six innocent people while driving 151 mph. What's even worse is the fact that he was sentenced to only 12.5 years in prison, just two years for each death. Noah Galle, who was 17 years old at the time of the crash, was driving a BMW M5 when he violently crashed into the back of an SUV carrying six farm workers. The impact forced the back of their vehicle forward several feet into the passenger compartment, killing everyone in the SUV. Galle was known on TikTok for regularly speeding and asking his followers to guess how fast he was driving. In January 2025, Galle entered a plea deal to avoid his case going to trial and received a reduced sentence of 12 years and 180 days in prison. Occasionally, I like to ask the BuzzFeed Community to tell me about the most mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes towns in the United States they've ever been to. And you'd be shocked at how many responses I get each time (or maybe not). This week's spotlight: Island Pond, Vermont. 'My family and I visited friends there a few years ago. The town was very quiet and empty, which always creeps me out, but it wasn't that bad until we decided to go into a cafe that, I guess, was run by the same people as the Yellow Deli (which is run by the Twelve Tribes cult). The interior did not look like a cafe. It was an empty tarp-covered room, and they just had bread for sale, which the people I was with actually bought. I was so freaked out and thought they were going to get poisoned. Only one guy was working there, and he was creepy as hell and kept telling us to go to the Yellow Deli in Plymouth."—cwthree Wikipedia is like the Wild West. It's vast, lawless, and sometimes you can find some extremely weird (and horrifying) things out there. This week's spotlight: a medieval 'punishment' device called a scold's bridle. Used almost exclusively on women, this terrible mechanism was essentially an iron muzzle that went into your mouth and pressed down on your tongue, sometimes with a SPIKE, to prevent the wearer from talking. It was used to punish women whose speech or behavior was considered 'too offensive' or 'unruly' and was designed to inflict extreme pain and humiliation. You know, I would say it's hard to believe this thing was real, but then, humans (*cough cough* men) have been making diabolical devices for thousands of years, so… Judy Garland — Died: June 22, 1969, Cause of Death: Barbiturate overdose How she died: The iconic singer and movie star, who was just 47 years old at the time of her death, was found dead in her London townhouse by her fifth husband, Mickey Deans. Garland had a long history of substance abuse and struggled with addiction for much of her life, which was compounded by the pressures of fame, financial and career issues, as well as mental health challenges. Her death was ultimately ruled accidental. Companion (2025) What it's about: A weekend getaway at a remote cabin turns chaotic when one of the guests goes you should watch it: If you're in the mood for a less traditionally 'scary' horror film, Companion errs more on the side of sci-fi thriller bordering dark comedy. A good date night movie for those with a dark you can watch it: Streaming for free on Max or for rent for $5.99 on Fandango at Home. Ted Bundy Often remembered for the widespread media coverage of his trial and the self-proclaimed admiration of many women, Ted Bundy was a serial killer who kidnapped, raped, and murdered at least 30 young women and girls in the '70s. However, many believe there may have been over 100 victims. After several years in prison, Bundy was executed by electric chair in January 1989. His last meal: Bundy declined to choose, so he was given the standard last meal provided at Florida State Prison: Steak cooked medium-rare, eggs over easy, hash browns, toast with butter and jelly, milk, and juice. Well, it's another dark AF week in the books. In the next issue, I'll talk about a man who died from eating a hot fishcake (seriously!), a missing person Wikipedia page that will haunt you, and an impressive body horror film from Norway. Until then, stay safe, keep the lights on, and I'll see you for another horrifying trip down the rabbit hole… Thirsty for more? Subscribe to the That Got Dark newsletter to get a weekly post just like this delivered directly to your inbox. It's a scary good time you won't want to miss.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I visited an Aussie cafe and couldn't believe how cheap everything was... and then I was told something that unsettled me
A British man has shared his shock after learning the truth behind his visit to a cheap cafe in the Blue Mountains, just outside of Sydney. Tom Hammond, 28, enjoyed breakfast at The Yellow Deli Cafe in Katoomba on Friday before finding out a controversial religious cult runs the popular spot. Mr Hammond, who lives in Sydney, told Daily Mail Australia he wanted to help warn others who may innocently come across the cafe. The self-employed landscaper came across The Yellow Deli Cafe after looking for recommendations on Blue Mountains' breakfast spots on TikTok. 'The venue itself is really pretty, it reminded me of the Cotswolds in England,' he said. Mr Hammond said he 'grabbed a chair by the fireplace' but instantly felt 'something wasn't right' as the waiter was far less welcoming than the friendly service he's become used to in Australia. He said the waiter explained a group of volunteers ran the cafe which is why the prices were low. Mr Hammond didn't think to question this. 'I've been backpacking, I know there are places that you work a shift or two and in exchange you get a room,' he said. The Brit ordered waffles and eggs, adding: 'The venue is really good, the food is really nice, it's cheap - it's a great spot.' However, he claimed the waiter had no interest in making conversation with him and was a lot friendlier with other customers. The landscaper was oblivious to the controversial history of the cafe until a local couple told him it was run by religious cult Twelve Tribes. 'It wasn't until later on in the evening after a hike, I was at another restaurant and there was some bingo going on. One of the locals asked 'Why would you go there?' And they told me who it was run by,' he said. The Twelve Tribes, founded in Tennessee in 1975, came to Australia in the 1990s. Those working in the cafe live in nearby Balmoral House while the rest are at a farm near Picton, about 90 minutes south-west of Sydney. The cult has been accused of child abuse and child labour as well as forcing its members to live by authoritarian rules. It is not suggested there is any truth to the accusations. In 2019, Andrew McLeod, who managed the cafe and is an original member of the Australian branch of the group, said allegations of child abuse and child labour were untrue. 'We want our children to have a well-balanced life and what we do and our beliefs have somehow been taken out of context to portray us as a fundamentalist cult that bashes our children, which is just not true,' he said. 'It's sad that so many people are gullible enough to believe what they believe without looking into it themselves.' Mr Hammond shared a video on TikTok about the encounter, admitting he 'felt guilty' for 'accidentally supporting a cult'. 'Went into the Yellow Deli in Katoomba thinking, 'Wow, what a wholesome little café — handmade furniture, herbal tea, peaceful vibes…,' he captioned the clip. 'Turns out it's run by The Twelve Tribes, which is less 'hippie commune' and more 'actual cult with some seriously wild beliefs.' 'I was just out here vibing with my sandwich, meanwhile unknowingly funding the end times. Honestly though… great eggs 9/10. Would escape again.' The viral clip was flooded with comments from locals and visitors who had also innocently come across the establishment. On reflection, Mr Hammond suggested his visible tattoo collection may have been the reason for the less friendly reception he received after hearing about similar experiences of others who have visited the cafe. The expat said that although he 'can't complain about the food' he wouldn't return to the cafe as 'it's not something I would support'. The cafe declined to comment when contacted by Daily Mail Australia. What is the Twelves Tribes? The cult began in 1975 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, when former carnival showman Gene Spriggs broke away from the First Presbyterian Church after finding services were cancelled for the Super Bowl. He and his wife Marsha earlier opened the first Yellow Deli a few years earlier and were living communally with a small group from 1972. Twelve Tribes practices a hybrid of pre-Catholic Christianity and Judaism mixed with teachings by Spriggs. The group's stated aim is to bring about the return of Jesus - whom they refer to by the Hebrew name Yahshua - by reestablishing the 12 tribes of Israel. All members are forced to sell their possessions and give to proceeds to the cult and are assigned a Hebrew name discard their old ones. Spriggs himself is known as Yoneq. These tribes would include 144,000 'perfect male children', which accounts for the group's obsessive and controversial child-rearing practices. The Sabbath is observed in line with Jewish tradition, along with conservative dietary rules and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. Birth control of any kind is banned, as is much modern medicine - they instead rely largely on homeopathy and 'natural' remedies. Marriage outside the cult is forbidden and couples must go through a series of supervised talks to get to know each other. Only after marriage can they even kiss or hold hands. Children aren't allowed to play with toys, engage in make-believe, or any of the normal childhood activities, and must be supervised at all times. They must be strictly obedient and are beaten with a 50cm rod for every infraction by any adult watching them, not just their parents. All children are homeschooled and do not attend university as it is considered a waste of time and not a good environment. Instead, children work in the community from a young age, sparking accusations of child labour. Estée Lauder and other businesses cut ties with the organisation after finding children were involved in making their products. Members don't vote and are not allowed to watch TV or any other media as 'the crazy box robs your time and pollutes your soul'. Twelve Tribes has 3,000 members and operates in the U.S., Canada, France, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Germany and England, arriving in Australia in the early 1990s. Members live in Balmoral House in Katoomba, Peppercorn Creek Farm near Picton, and a small number in Coledale, north of Wollongong. Numerous businesses include a network of cafes in every country, all called the Yellow Deli or Common Ground, and bakeries, farms, and furniture, construction, and demolition businesses. These are believed to be very profitable because none of the workers need to be paid.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What Are Some Mysterious, Cult-Like, "Bad-Vibes" Towns In The United States?
A while back we perused Reddit and found some interesting threads about creepy, cult-like towns across the United States. The topic generated A LOT of responses and made me want to see what your thoughts are on the subject. So, tell me, what are some mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes towns across the United States? Perhaps you had a sketchy experience in Vidor, Texas, like this person — "I worked on a door-to-door sales team, and we got sent there because we happened to be all 'white' at the time. Spoiler: We weren't all 'white,' and our crew included several Latino members. Someone spoke in Spanish, and we were detained by the most overtly racist cops I have ever met and literally escorted out of town. Freaky shit." —tossaway78701 Related: Discover Which Classic Disney Film You Are By Picking GIFs From Modern Disney Faves Or maybe you passed through Island Pond, Vermont, and got a bad vibe, like this person — "It's home to one of the Twelve Tribes communities. Twelve Tribes is a fundamentalist Christian cult known for its misogyny, racism, child abuse, and workplace exploitation. They operate the Yellow Deli restaurants." —cwthree Related: I Can Accurately Guess Your Eye Color Based On Your Breakfast Choices! Heck, you maybe even grew up in Seabrook, Washington, and, like this person, it never sat well with you — "It is idyllic. Perfectly idyllic. Too much so. Strong Stepford Wives vibes. I read somewhere that it was inspired by the town in The Truman Show." —lotsalotsacoffee So, I'm asking you, what is a mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes town in the United States? Tell us all about it in the comment section or via the totally anonymous form below to be featured in a future BuzzFeed Community post or video! Also in Community: Let's See If You Know All 50 Of These Artists Also in Community: Curate A Summer Pinterest Board To Reveal Your Summer Aesthetic Also in Community: I'm Listening, I'm Not Judging, But This Is The Toxic Love Trope That You'd Fall For In A Second
Buzz Feed
05-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
What Are Some Mysterious, Cult-Like, "Bad-Vibes" Towns In The United States?
A while back we perused Reddit and found some interesting threads about creepy, cult-like towns across the United States. The topic generated A LOT of responses and made me want to see what your thoughts are on the subject. So, tell me, what are some mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes towns across the United States? Perhaps you had a sketchy experience in Vidor, Texas, like this person — "I worked on a door-to-door sales team, and we got sent there because we happened to be all 'white' at the time. Spoiler: We weren't all 'white,' and our crew included several Latino members. Someone spoke in Spanish, and we were detained by the most overtly racist cops I have ever met and literally escorted out of town. Freaky shit." Or maybe you passed through Island Pond, Vermont, and got a bad vibe, like this person — "It's home to one of the Twelve Tribes communities. Twelve Tribes is a fundamentalist Christian cult known for its misogyny, racism, child abuse, and workplace exploitation. They operate the Yellow Deli restaurants." Heck, you maybe even grew up in Seabrook, Washington, and, like this person, it never sat well with you — "It is idyllic. Perfectly idyllic. Too much so. Strong Stepford Wives vibes. I read somewhere that it was inspired by the town in The Truman Show." So, I'm asking you, what is a mysterious, cult-like, bad-vibes town in the United States? Tell us all about it in the comment section or via the totally anonymous form below to be featured in a future BuzzFeed Community post or video!
