The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-04
QUIZ MEMBERS
OF CULT IN
KILLING OF SIX
Fiend or Religious Fanatic
Hunted as Slayer of
Prophet and Family.
PATIENTS QUESTIONED
Weird Rituals, GroteSque
Affairs Revealed in Home
by Tragedy.
BIZ United Press

DETROIT, July 4.-Through the
weird rituals and records Of g nlys-
tic Sicilian religious cult police
searched today for cleWs to the MUIR
der of Benny Evangelsta, the "di-
vine prophet" and his family of
five, who were hacked to death amid
the grotesque images and affairs OF
their home.
Although the predominating the
DRY was that the six murders were
committed by a flend or religious
fanatic, beliefs written by the healer
in his book, "the Oldest History OF
the World Bible of the cult, gave
rise to theory that Evangelist
might have arranged the murders to
prove his claims of the power of re-
incarnation. The latter fantastic
theory found little credence among
detectives.
After an intensive eighteen-hour
investigation Of the brutal crime,
detectives of the police homicide and
Black Hand squads today said they
we're without a definite clew as to
the slayer and lacked even a clearly
defined theory upon which to pro-
| coed.
Question Cult Members
Five men, one of them friend of
the slain prophet were arrested
as suspects early today. Angelo
Depoli, 81, who admitted his &C
quaintance with Evangelist, was
taken into custody when detectives
found short ak in Depoli's barn,
together with a keen-edged banana
knife and a pair of shoes.
The shoes apparently had Just
been washed and the ak bore stains
which are to be tested to determine
whether they are blood or rust.
Known members of the cult, and
patients of the popular healer were
the first to be called for questioning.
From these witnesses. police at
! tempted to learn details Of the last
seance at the Evangelista home.
during which it was believed, the
| burders occurred.
The murders were discovered at
noon by Vincent Elias, real estate
man, who called at the Evangelista
home about property which the
prophet planned to buy.
Obtaining no response from
knocks at the door, Elias entered
the Office room. where Eyangelista
conducted his oddly contrasted bust
ness of healing, selling real estate
and building.
Blood Trail Through House
Elias found the herb doctors
| headleSs body arms folded across
the chest, propped up in chair at
his desk which sometimes served as
an altar for his Worshippers. The
head lay near by.
| The real estate man assembled to
the second floor seeking Mrs. San
tina Evangelista and the children.
The mother and her l8-months-
old son, Mario, had been slain in
bed. Mrs. Eyangelista'S head near
ly was severed from the body, ap-
parently by the same instrument
which killed her husband The
baby's head had been crushed by a
| heavier instrument.
Lying in their twin beds across
the hall were the bodies of Angelina.
Z, and Margaret 5. Near their little
beds lay the body of the sixth VIC
tim. Jeanne, 4.
The trail of bloody fngerprints
led from Evangelista's office
throughout the house.
The door castings of the two bed
rooms upstairs were marked with
hngerprints.
Papers under the rolltop cover Of
the healer's desk we're marked with
blood as if the killer had rummaged
through them.
Investigate Past Life
Police at first we're inclined to
link the murder with the recent
Staying Of a mother and her three
children, which was committed in
similar manner. Investigation of
the life of the herb doctor, hoT-
ever, led to the theory of religious
fanaticism.
Evangelista was 40. quiet, un-
smiling Sicilian whose acquaint-
ances we're limited to those whom
he treated with herbs and for whom
he worked as carpenter, builder
ana realtor.
Nelghbors called him mysterious
and said but few patients ever called
AZ the small frame dwelling.
In the basement, police found a
small room lined with green drapes.
Wax images we're suspended from
the ceiling. The walls and ceilings
were green. Celestial planets hung
from the ceiling beside small altar.
Over another altar were suspend
ed eight hideous figures arranged
in a circle. One figure contained
large electrically lighted eye which
Evangelist called the Sun"
Police said Mrs. Evangelista had
sold charms and amulets and that
several weeks ago she was refused
permission TO open the house for