The Mysterious Disappearance of Six Individuals and the Alleged Cult Connection

The quiet city of Berkeley, Missouri, has found itself at the epicenter of a puzzling investigation surrounding the disappearance of six individuals. Among the missing is Naaman Williams, 29, Gerielle German, 26, and her son Ashton Mitchell, age 3, Mikayla Thompson, 23, Ma’Kayla Wickerson, 25, and her daughter Malaiyah, also 3. Their sudden absence since August has cast a veil of uncertainty over the community and their families.

Berkeley police Major Steve Runge has provided insight into the nature of their vanishing, offering a theory that these individuals could be ensnared in the teachings of Rashad Jamal, a social media spiritual guide with a problematic reputation. Jamal's online platform, the University of Cosmic Intelligence, purports to bring enlightenment, especially targeting Black and Latino demographics. However, Jamal faced prior convictions for child molestation in 2023 and is presently incarcerated in Georgia. Controversially, Jamal refutes claims of him being a cult leader and maintains innocence regarding his conviction.

Notably, three of the four adults were believed to be followers of Jamal, with police records showing name changes aligned with spiritual figures—an action that signifies deeper involvement in whatever organization or belief system Jamal propagated. The investigation has uncovered that the quartet exhibited behaviors typical of Jamal's other followers: a detachment from familial ties, a propensity to live off the grid, quitting jobs, and claiming sovereign citizenship.

A telling event occurred on August 12, when Cartisha Morgan, Ma’Kayla Wickerson's mother, reported her growing concern for her daughter and granddaughter. The subsequent police search of the rented dwelling where they resided bore no evidence of violence or struggle. However, upon inspecting various social media accounts associated with the group, detectives observed robust activity that halted unexpectedly—activity that was heavily intertwined with references to Jamal.

Further forensic investigation led the authorities to a hotel in Florissant, Mo., marking the last known location of the missing. Since then, silence has shrouded their whereabouts, producing no additional leads or sightings.

Adding a layer of complexity, each missing adult stems from diverse geographical roots, stretching from Washington D.C. to Lake Horn, Mississippi. Among the women, Thompson and Wickerson are native to the St. Louis region, and like Wickerson, Thompson left a child in the care of her mother.

As family members and Berkeley police remain hopeful for the return of the missing six, dedicated searches are ongoing. Major Steve Runge believes that it's only a matter of time before the group surfaces, potentially driven by an exhaustion of financial resources.

In an emotionally charged plea, Cartisha Morgan has reached out, expressing her distress and the vulnerability of her daughter Ma’Kayla, who was battling postpartum depression. Morgan's message is a blend of concern, love, and an unyielding hope for the safe return of Ma’Kayla and Malaiyah.

The case casts a spotlight on the often unseen dimensions of spiritual journeys and the potential pitfalls when vulnerable individuals encounter charismatic figures online. As the investigation persists, the central question remains: will the missing six be found and reunited with those who have held on to their memories and await their return?