Inside Bizarre Cult That Thai ‘Murder Island’ Victim Joined Before Her Death

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It’s been revealed that members of a cult – the same cult that was followed by a backpacker before she was found half-eaten by lizards in a Thai jungle – believed their leader was a reincarnation of God.

Elise Dallemange, who was allegedly part of the Sathya Sai Baba movement, had been living at a yoga retreat in Koh Tao, with a self-proclaimed Sathya Sai Baba ‘guru’.

Tragically, under un-clear circumstances, 30-year-old Elise was found dead, with Thai police stating she had hung herself before lizards had eaten away at half her body.

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Members of the bizarre cult thought their leader, (who had the same name and died in 2011), was an ‘avatar’ of God.

The so-called ‘divinity in human form’ has 1,200 worship centres set up across 126 countries which offer ‘spiritual advancement’ and are dedicated to his controversial practices, according to the Mirror.

The devotees of Sathya Sai Baba, believe their leader conducted various ‘miraculous healings’ during his lifetime, including resurrections.

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Sathya Sai Baba was one of India’s biggest spiritual leaders during his lifetime, but came under criticism for supposedly using tricks to fool his followers.

Baba also faced accusations over the years of sexual abuse of young males, as well as incidents of fraud, which he claimed were simply smear campaigns.

In some parts of Thailand, there are schools set up to carry on his teachings.

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Elise has become the latest tourist found dead on the island of Koh Tao – a resort popular with british backpackers – the seventh in three years.

While Thai police claim Elise hung herself her devastated mother does not believe them and thinks somebody else was involved.

Michelle van Egten, who is understandably heartbroken at her daughter’s death, believes Elise wouldn’t have committed suicide.

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She said:

I am devastated by events.

I am still waiting for the final autopsy report.

We just want more information.

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Michele continued:

Police told us that Elise hanged herself in the jungle but I cannot accept why my daughter should have killed herself.

I don’t know why she would have booked a transfer to Bangkok and then went into the jungle to commit suicide

hopefully justice will be served for Elise.

UNILAD