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Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles meet and begin teaching a mix of Christianity, New Age beliefs, and UFO theories. They begin recruiting followers who share their vision of transcending the human experience.
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A group of followers, led by Applewhite, attempted to leave Earth but failed, believing that their spiritual readiness was insufficient.
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The group becomes more focused on the idea that the "Next Level" could only be achieved by leaving Earth physically. They begin preparing for their final departure.
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The group believes that the Hale-Bopp comet (visible in the sky in 1997) was a sign that the spacecraft they were waiting for was approaching. On March 26, 1997, 39 members of Heaven's Gate (including Marshall Applewhite) committed suicide in a mass ritual in Rancho Santa Fe, California.
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Following the mass suicide, Heaven's Gate became widely known. Their story gained significant media coverage and sparked debates about cults, faith, and human belief systems.