[Editor’s note: This listing is part of a special report by the November 18 Project. The table of contents for the report is here.]
The history of Peoples Temple lasted a quarter century, from the early 1950s when Jim Jones opened his first church in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the tragedy of November 18, 1978. For most people interested in the Temple story, its most important place in history was marked by its final week in mid-November.
The November 18 Project has attempted to document this time as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Within the vast amount of material associated with this effort are scores of names – some familiar, some not as much so – especially in the notes made by the Staff Investigative Group of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which investigated the death of Rep. Leo Ryan separate and apart from the FBI’s RYMUR probe.
The list below was compiled as a quick reference to the names of the key players from that final week. Many other people, especially those in Jonestown who died, were identified from the NBC footage guide. In addition, the November 18 Project’s transcript of the Death Tape includes several members of the Temple who have been identified by their voices.
Congressional delegation
Rep. Leo Ryan (D-CA)
James Schollaert, Foreign Affairs committee staff member
Jackie Speier, Legislative Counsel to Ryan
Members of Concerned Relatives who accompanied Leo Ryan to Georgetown (but were not part of the official party, and only the four below marked with an asterisk accompanied the congressman to Jonestown)
Clare Bouquet, mother of Brian Bouquet
Carol Boyd*, relative of Houston family
Jim Cobb*, former Temple member, with numerous relatives in Jonestown
Sherwin Harris, former husband of Sharon Amos, father of Liane Harris
Nadyne Houston, relative of Houston family
Steve and Anthony* Katsaris, relatives of Maria Katsaris
Howard and Beverly* Oliver, parents of William and Bruce Oliver
Wayne Pietila, former Temple member, member of Eight Revolutionaries
Tim and Grace Stoen, former Temple members
Bonnie Thielmann, former Temple member
Mickey Touchette, former Temple member, member of Eight Revolutionaries
Members of the press who accompanied Leo Ryan
NBC cameraman Bob Brown
NBC producer Bob Flick
NBC reporter Don Harris
Ron Javers, reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle
Charles Krause, reporter for The Washington Post
Gordon Lindsay, freelance reporter writing for The National Enquirer
Tim Reiterman, reporter for The San Francisco Examiner
Greg Robinson, photographer for The San Francisco Examiner
NBC soundman Steve Sung
U.S. Embassy personnel
John Burke, U.S. Ambassador
Richard Dwyer, the Deputy Chief of Mission who accompanied Ryan
Guyana government officials
Neville Annibourne, Guyana information officer who accompanied Ryan
Rashleigh Jackson, Foreign Minister
Vincent Teekah, Minister of Education
Herbert Thomas, official with Ministry of Regional Development
Corporal Emil Rudder, who piloted aircraft to Port Kaituma
Members of Peoples Temple (unless otherwise noted, died on November 18)
Jim Jones
Sharon Amos, Temple member in Georgetown
Tim and Mike Carter, Jonestown survivors tasked with taking money to Soviet Embassy
Phyllis, Patricia and Judy Houston
Garry Dartez “Poncho” Johnson
Johnny Moss Brown Jones
Marceline Jones
Maria Katsaris
Teresa King
Carolyn Layton
Karen Layton
Tish Leroy
Paul McCann, survivor (unconfirmed)
Jim McElvane
Annie McGowan
William and Bruce Oliver, sons of Howard and Beverly Oliver
Parks family, defectors who left with Ryan on November 18
Mike Prokes, Jonestown survivor tasked with taking money to Soviet Embassy
Odell Rhodes, survivor
Larry Schacht, Jonestown doctor
Simon family, would-be defectors who remained behind on November 18
Don “Ujara” Sly, attacked Ryan with knife on afternoon of November 18
John Victor Stoen, son of mother Grace Stoen, paternity disputed
Harriet Tropp
Richard Tropp
Deanna Wilkinson, singer with Jonestown Express
Joseph Wilson, later identified as Port Kaituma shooter
Other Members of Peoples Temple, not in Guyana
Jean Brown
Walter Duncan
Other Members of Concerned Relatives, Temple critics
Debbie Layton Blakey, defector from Jonestown in May 1978
Others
Dennis Banks, leader of American Indian Movement
Willie Brown, San Francisco political figure
Temple attorney Charles Garry, remained in Jonestown after Ryan left
Carlton Goodlett, San Francisco newspaper publisher
Temple attorney Mark Lane, remained in Jonestown after Ryan left
Joe Mazor, private detective hired by Concerned Relatives