Cults are often a source of ridicule for most of us, something which we are aware of but a lot of us never really pay much mind to. Sure, there are prominent cult organizations which are often in the zeitgeist — but, the actuality of joining a cult, or having a loved one join, is a foreign notion to most of us.
However, one person sought out to find out more about the realities of cult-life from those who have lost loved ones to these manipulative institutions. So, they took to Reddit to ask: "Redditors who have lost a friend or family member to a cult, how did it happen?"
Below are some of the most shocking, horrific, and heartbreaking stories from people who have had personal encounters with cults, and have tragically lost loved ones to them.