Who was David Koresh? Subject of Netflix's Waco: American Apocalypse

However, a shootout ensued resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians and leading to a 51-day siege.

Starting on 28th February, the siege eventually came to an end on 19th April as the ranch went up in flames, with 76 Branch Davidians, including 25 children, two pregnant women and David Koresh himself losing their life. Koresh is said to have died following a gunshot in unclear circumstances.

So, who exactly was David Koresh?

As the documentary airs on Netflix, read on for everything you need to know about Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh and his involvement in the Waco Siege.

Who was David Koresh?

David Koresh, born Vernon Wayne Howell, was an American cult leader.

He was born in Houston, Texas in 1959 to 14-year-old single mother Bonnie Sue Clark and father Bobby Wayne Howell. Before David was born, his father left Bonnie Sue, who began living with a violent alcoholic. Koresh didn't meet his father until he was 17.

When he was 19 years old, Koresh had an illegal sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl who later fell pregnant.

He later joined his mother's denomination, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, after claiming to be a born-again Christian.

While at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Koresh is said to have become infatuated with the pastor's daughter and after reading a passage in the bible, he took it as a sign that God wanted him to have her for a wife. The pastor threw him out of the church and Koresh was then expelled from the congregation – but continued with his pursuit of the priest's daughter.

In 1981, Koresh moved to Waco, Texas and joined the Branch Davidians – a religious sect and offshoot of the Davidian Seventh-day Adventists. At the time, the Branch Davidians were led by a man named Benjamin Roden. Roden founded the group in 1955 with new teachings that were not connected with the original Davidians.

When he died in 1978, Koresh competed for dominance with another leader, Benjamin Roden's son George. Koresh and his followers left the sect and lived in eastern Texas for a while, before returning heavily armed in 1987. They shot Roden, who survived the attack, and took over Mount Carmel.

Koresh claimed to be the final messiah, stating that he had received the same level of inspiration that Jesus had received at his own baptism. His apocalyptic Biblical teachings, including interpretations of the Book of Revelation and the Seven Seals, attracted many followers.

In the early 1990s, Koresh became subject to allegations about polygamy and child sex abuse by former Branch Davidian allies. However, authorities found no conclusive evidence when investigating.

Koresh claimed he had cracked the code of the Seven Seals in the Book of Revelation, which predicted events leading to the apocalypse. Along with his followers, Koresh built an 'Army of God; by stockpiling weapons in preparation for said apocalypse.

Who were David Koresh's wives and children?

Koresh had an affair with the sect's much older prophetess, Lois Roden, who was in her 60s when their relationship began. There was thought to be about a big age gap between her and a young David.

In the '80s, David married a teenage Branch Davidian named Rachel Jones and they later had three children together. Rachel was 14 at the time.

During his time, Koresh introduced what he called the New Light, and his belief was that he was meant to have other wives. He initially took single girls, but then he began dissolving the marriages of other Branch Davidians and taking their wives, too.

Koresh's teachings included the practice of "spiritual weddings". which allowed him to have relationships with "God-chosen" female followers of all ages.

During his time, Koresh fathered at least a dozen children with members other than his legal wife.

How did David Koresh die?

Koresh died by a gunshot wound to the head during the Waco Siege in 1993. It's unknown whether he committed suicide or if he was killed by another.

According to the FBI, Koresh's Steve Schneider, Koresh's right-hand man, "probably realised that he was dealing with a fraud" and shot and killed Koresh before committing suicide with the same gun.

Waco: American Apocalypse is available to stream on Netflix on Wednesday 22nd March. Sign up for Netflix from £4.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.

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