Quiet little Rulo, in the very southeastern corner of Nebraska, is a beautiful river town with a strong sense of community pride. The surrounding farm country is some of the loveliest you’ll see in Nebraska. In the 1980s, however, evil came to town and left a permanent mark. What happened in Rulo Nebraska? The town of Rulo itself is not evil in the least, but the acts that took place nearby are so shocking that they will never be forgotten.

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Michael Ryan was a white supremacist who took over a defunct 80-acre hog farm outside of Rulo in the early '80s. Ryan was somehow able to convince a group of people that he was a spiritual leader - a self-proclaimed "archangel" - who would usher them through the coming end times with a mixture of survivalism and heavy arms. His followers supported their cause by stealing farm equipment and other items from nearby properties, then selling the burgled items to purchase weapons and survivalist supplies. This cult in Rulo Nebraska would end up doing horrible things.
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At its pinnacle, the group contained more than 20 people, many of whom were children. People left their previous lives behind to join Ryan and his cause. One mother of five fled her marriage and took her children to the hog farm, leaving her family clueless as to their whereabouts. Ryan, shown here after his arrest in 1985, exerted complete control over his disciples in this Rulo Nebraska cult.
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He had such command over them, in fact, that when he ordered one follower to abuse his own five-year-old son, the man did it without question. After Ryan killed the son in a fit of anger, he ordered the father to dig the young boy's grave. Again, the father complied. But Ryan's most heinous crimes centered on another follower who became the target of his anger.
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Ryan and some of his followers brutally tortured 26-year-old James Thimm for days. They chained him up in a hog shed and committed acts so shocking and horrific that we won't give the full story here. (If you want to read the gory details, you can find the whole story on Murderpedia.) Following the unthinkable acts of torture, Ryan dealt the final blows that resulted in Thimm's death. Not long after, the Rulo compound was raided by local and state law enforcement as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (who were involved due to the group's large weapons stockpile, some of which is pictured above). What they found was absolutely horrifying, and would be forever known as the Rulo Nebraska murders.

Law enforcement officials found huge quantities of guns, ammunition, and explosives. Further searches turned up the graves of Ryan’s two victims. Evidence led to Ryan’s conviction on murder charges, after which he was sentenced to death. Two others involved in the torture were also convicted for their crimes and received stiff sentences, but have since been released.

The news video below shows the fate of one of the other men involved in the torture. After serving many years in prison, he was released on parole and his sentence was later commuted.

For Ryan’s part in the evil crimes, he was sentenced to death…and he died of natural causes while on death row in 2015. Although he is gone, and most of the hog farm buildings have been demolished or simply swallowed by time, the memory of these terrible events will live on in the memories of Nebraskans and particularly those who call the sweet little town of Rulo home.

Now that you’ve read a disturbing story about what happened in Rulo Nebraska, let’s balance it out with something a little more pleasant. Take a look at these 20 historic pictures of farming in Nebraska.

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What Happened In Rulo Nebraska?

Megan McDonald | March 10, 2023

What happened in Rulo Nebraska?

Rulo, Nebraska gained notoriety in the 1980s for being the location of a cult known as the "Rulo cult" or the "Rulo killing cult." The cult was led by Michael Ryan, who claimed to be a prophet. The group engaged in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, armed robberies, and acts of violence. The cult's activities culminated in a series of brutal murders, including the killings of a 5-year-old boy and a couple who were former members of the cult.

The crimes committed by the Rulo cult shocked the community and attracted national attention. Law enforcement eventually intervened, leading to the arrest and conviction of several cult members, including Michael Ryan. The case shed light on the dangers of extremist cults and the devastating consequences of their actions. Today, Rulo, Nebraska is remembered for the dark chapter in its history involving the Rulo cult, which serves as a reminder of the potential dangers and harms associated with such groups.

What did Michael Ryan do? 

Michael Ryan, the leader of the Rulo cult in Nebraska, was involved in a series of horrific crimes. He exerted control over his followers, manipulated them, and engaged in various criminal activities. One of the most disturbing acts committed by Ryan was the brutal murder of a 5-year-old boy named Luke Stice. The child was beaten to death, reflecting the extreme violence that Ryan and his cult members were capable of. Ryan was also involved in other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, armed robberies, and acts of violence against former cult members. These actions inflicted immense pain and suffering on the victims and shocked the community. Eventually, law enforcement intervened, leading to the arrest and conviction of Ryan and several other cult members.

What happened to James Thimm?

James Thimm, a former member of the Rulo cult led by Michael Ryan, played a crucial role in bringing attention to the cult's criminal activities. After leaving the cult, Thimm reported the cult's activities to law enforcement, leading to the investigation and subsequent arrest of Ryan and other cult members.

Due to his cooperation with the authorities, Thimm was granted immunity from prosecution for his involvement in the cult's criminal activities. His testimony and assistance were essential in unraveling the extent of the cult's crimes and providing evidence for their convictions.

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