The Ashes of Waco

Very Sad News

We are very upset to report the tragic and untimely death of Bonnie Haldeman, David Koresh's mother. All reports we've found thus far are vague (and contain disagreements regarding Mrs. Haldeman's age and even the spelling of her name), but it appears that she was stabbed to death by her sister Beverly Clark last Friday (Jan. 23). Most reports indicate that they were alone at the time, but it is possible that their mother was also present in the house. We will be following this story closely.

We are also greatly saddened by the news that April 19 survivor Jaime Castillo passed away in late December of last year. In the late 80s Mr. Castillo, a drummer, answered an ad placed by Koresh, who was looking for musicians to play with. Over time Castillo became more and more involved with the Branch Davidian community and theology. He had been working as a personal trainer in Sylmar, California since his release from prison in 2006. Mr. Castillo died of liver failure brought about by hepatitis C. He was 40. 

Our heartfelt sympathies and condolences go out to their families and friends. 

Messiah Productions

For a time, the Branch Davidians maintained two houses in California, which became a base for recruiting new members. California was also a place where Koresh tried to further his musical ambitions. These business cards were passed out to promising contacts; a similar card was given to future member David Thibodeau in a music store.

Interview with the author

Last Tuesday, December 30, I had the opportunity to interview Dick J. Reavis in his office on the campus of North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, NC. This was the third time that I've had the pleasure of spending time with Dick and discussing Waco (as well as a variety of other topics) but the first time I've had to officially interview him. From the time I started processing his papers, over three years ago, to the current grant project, he has been very helpful and forthcoming with information, and this occasion was no exception.

My visit was over the winter break, so the NC State campus was quiet and almost empty. We ate lunch at El Rodeo, a Mexican place across the street from campus, and talked a lot about Dick's planned book on day laborers in America. After that we walked over to his office in the English building and started the interview. I started the interview asking him to talk about where he was at the time of the siege, and he took it from there, providing valuable insight into the press' involvement (or un-involvement) with the Branch Davidians, and sharing his personal experiences, from the time of the Feb. 28 raid up to his testimony before Congress over two years later, as the book was about to be published. 

Dick also shared his thoughts on the Constitutionalists and other right-wing groups he had an unlikely involvement with at the time. He talked about the government's behavior at Mt. Carmel and what they seem to have learned from it, regardless of whether they ever admit that their approach was wrong. And he gave the incident historical, international, and current-event context that was very engaging for me as a listener and an interviewer. 

After over three hours, we shut the recorder off and called it a day, not being out of topics to discuss but out of time to discuss them. The plan now is to get the interview transcribed by a student in late January and select portions to post on the blog as well as the online exhibit. I am hoping this will be the first of at least two interviews with Reavis, the second one taking place after the exhibit goes up and being about specific materials we have on display.