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Conviction November 18, 1978 Multiple Homicide

Rep. Leo Ryan & Jonestown Victims

Status Conviction
Type Multiple Homicide
Date November 18, 1978
Location Jonestown, Guyana, California
Victim Age Unknown
Gender Multiple

U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan was shot dead at an airstrip in Guyana along with members of his delegation while investigating Jim Jones's Peoples Temple. Hours later, 918 Temple members died in Jonestown in the largest mass death in American history. Larry Layton was convicted of the Ryan murder and served 37 years.

homicide Jonestown mass death conviction Peoples Temple 1978