Marshall Applewhite, a leader of the religious cult Heaven's Gate, passed away on March 26th, 1997 at the age of 65. Marshall was born in Spur, Texas on May 17th, 1931. He was a choir director, musician, and theater professor prior to becoming the leader of Heaven's Gate. After denouncing all past beliefs, he and Bonnie Nettle formed the cult in 1975 in San Diego, California. The cult believes in a series of UFO-related conspiracies, and its members believe in ascension from Earth to a higher level of existence. In March 1997, Marshall and 39 followers from Heaven's Gate committed suicide in an attempt to reach this higher level of existence. Marshall died at his home in Rancho Santa Fe, California from a fatal dose of phenobarbital. Leaving a legacy of imaginative faith, Marshall will be remembered as a hope-filled leader of Heaven's Gate. He is survived by his wife Bonnie and numerous other followers around the world. May Marshall's soul be held in peace and in the comfort of heaven.