Laura Johnston Kohl was one of the few who escaped the Jonestown massacre, where over 900 people died on 18 November 1978. Now, 40 years later, she speaks about her narrow escape and how she rebuilt her life.
Growing up in Washington DC, Kohl was already an activist by the time she joined the Peoples Temple in 1970 at age 22. She had protested the Vietnam War, worked with the Black Panthers, and attended Woodstock. After a failed marriage, she sought a safer political environment and was drawn to the group's ideals of racial equality and benevolence.
In 1977, Kohl moved to the remote settlement of Jonestown in Guyana, founded by charismatic preacher Jim Jones. She describes the community as fulfilling, with meaningful work and a sense of purpose. However, Jones's mental state deteriorated as scrutiny from US relatives and authorities grew.
Kohl was sent to Georgetown just before Congressman Leo Ryan's visit, which she believes was a calculated move by Jones. Ryan was investigating concerns that members were held against their will. Shortly after, Jones orchestrated the mass suicide-murder that claimed over 900 lives.
Kohl survived because she was not at the compound. In the aftermath, she struggled with guilt and trauma but eventually rebuilt her life. She now speaks about her experience to educate others about the dangers of cults and the importance of critical thinking.
