The following people with connections to Peoples Temple have died since October 2025.
Jack Beam, a former member of Peoples Temple who defected with his wife Cinthia in November 1975, died on January 6, 2026. A remembrance by Shannon Howard is here.
Juanita Bogue, who left Jonestown with her family on November 18, and who survived the airstrip shootings at Port Kaituma, died of cancer in California on April 13, 2026. A remembrance by Leigh Fondakowski appears here.
Clare Bouquet, a member of Concerned Relatives who accompanied Leo Ryan to Guyana in 1978 in an unsuccessful effort to see her son Brian, died on December 21, 2025.
Eusi Kwayana, a Guyanese leader who was active in forming several of the country’s political parties during its struggle for independence from Great Britain – and who criticized the Burnham government for its complicity in the Jonestown tragedy – died on October 10, 2026. A biographical profile appears here. Obituaries in the Guyanese press include The Daily Herald and The Guyana Chronicle. A short biography by Richard Drayton is here. A remembrance by Rebecca Moore is here.
Deaths noted from previous years
Steve Naraine, a reporter for the Guyana Chronicle who became Guyana’s Minister of Works during Peoples Temple’s years in that country, died 30 July 2013.
Frank Hope, who served as Guyana’s Minister of Finance from 1972 through 1983 – encompassing the life of Peoples Temple in the country – died on 13 April 2017.
Hodding Carter, who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs under President Jimmy Carter. He frequently appeared on the news and provided updates during the weeks following the deaths in Jonestown, died May 11, 2023.
Ken Wooden, the author of The Children of Jonestown, which was based largely on interviews with survivor Stanley Clayton, died on July 23, 2023. A profile of Mr. Wooden appears here.