KallMeKris

So they circled the date that Hale-Bopp would be closest to Earth in March 1997, and plans were set to

exit the world to join the spaceship that they believed was on route for them.

And in the weeks leading up to the comet's arrival, the group made a series of farewell messages and many members sat in front of cameras and some alone and some together and delivered their exit statement, which were these ominously upbeat testimonials where they smiled and talked about how happy they were and confident in the decision that they had made and what they were about to do.

It's extremely unsettling to watch.

I don't think any of us could be more happy.

That's all we got to say.

But the videos had a dual purpose in that they not only acted as members' final goodbyes, but also they hoped that they might save any last souls that would see them before the end.

And they even wrote up a press release entitled, Away Team Returns to Level Above Human, in which they framed their departure as a homecoming rather than a mass...

For the night before the big moment on March 21st, the group went to one of their favorite restaurants, Marie Callender's, to enjoy a final outing together.

And they all ordered the exact same meal, turkey pot pie, iced tea, and cheesecake with blueberries for dessert.

And this last supper, another Jesus callback, demonstrated their connectedness and devotion to each other and the cause in complete unison.

down to the very last bite, ready to take the next step into their grand journey together.

So starting on March 22nd, the members of Heaven's Gate began the process of their graduation that we now see as mass exit.

And I mean, you know, I can't say that word on YouTube.

Because YouTube doesn't like that word, but I'm assuming you know what I mean.

So the deaths were carried out in stages, which were outlined in a note later discovered in the home.

Quote, unquote.

So staggering the scheduled deaths in this way helped make sure that the earlier ones could be taken care of by those that followed.

And each member had a bunk or bed prepared as their final resting place, complete with a purple cloth to be placed over their body once they passed.

And they also had a small travel bag placed next to them, including identification and a few dollars.