David Koresh

David Koresh
Koresh in 1987
Born
Vernon Wayne Howell

(1959-08-17)August 17, 1959
Houston, Texas, U.S.
DiedApril 19, 1993(1993-04-19) (aged 33)
Mount Carmel Center
McLennan County, Waco, Texas, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wound to the stomach or fire wounds sustained in the Waco siege
Body discoveredBranch Davidian ranch
McLennan County, Texas, U.S.
Resting placeMemorial Park Cemetery
32°21′23″N 95°22′03″W / 32.35640°N 95.36750°W / 32.35640; -95.36750 (Memorial Park Cemetery)
Occupation(s)Singer, guitarist, religious leader of the Branch Davidians
Known for
  • 1983 "the Son of God, the Lamb" prophecy
  • Shootout on November 3, 1987, with George Roden for jurisdiction of Mount Carmel Center
  • Branch Davidian leadership 1988–1993
  • Apocalypticism, millenarianism, polygamy
  • February 28, 1993 – April 19, 1993, 51-day confrontation and stand-off with the ATF and FBI
SpouseRachel Jones
Children
  • Cyrus Howell
  • Star Howell
  • Bobbie Lane Howell

and 12 others

Parents
  • Bobby Wayne Howell (father)
  • Bonnie Sue Clark (mother)

David Koresh (born Vernon Wayne Howell; August 17, 1959 – April 19, 1993) was the American leader of the Branch Davidians religious sect.[1]

Koresh was responsible for the 51-day Waco siege.[1]

April 19, 1993

On April 19, 1993, fifty-one days after the siege began, the FBI fired tear gas at/in the cult's compound and it caught on fire. At least 85 Branch Dividians died that day, including Koresh.[1] Branch Dividian Steve Schneider shot and killed Koresh, then killed himself, according to the FBI.[2][3]

Early life

Koresh was born on August 17, 1959 in Houston, Texas to a 15-year-old single mother, Bonnie Sue Clark. He joined the Branch Davidians in 1982.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "David Koresh | Research Starters | EBSCO Research". EBSCO. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  2. ↑ "2ND-IN-COMMAND KILLED KORESH, FBI AGENT SAYS". scholar.lib.vt.edu. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. ↑ "Department of Justice | Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas: The Aftermath of the April 19 Fire". www.justice.gov. 2014-09-15. Retrieved 2025-09-27.