2026-07-17 13:02:02 Latest podcast in ‘American Nightmares’ series explores The Zion Society cult – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

Latest podcast in ‘American Nightmares’ series explores The Zion Society cult

By WTOP Staff

A neighborhood in Ogden, Utah, full of immaculately groomed yards, trimmed hedges and vibrant flower gardens conjured up images of the ultimate American Dream in the 1980s.

But hiding beneath the veil was an insidious secret. More than 100 residents there were members of a cult called The Zion Society

It’s the subject of the latest story told on the Gamut “American Nightmares” podcast series.

“Gardens of Evil: Inside the Zion Society Cult” is hosted by Mike King, a former police detective with more than 40 years of experience in law enforcement, intelligence and public safety technology.

King joined WTOP’s Shawn Anderson and Anne Kramer to talk about the series.

Listen to the full interview or read the transcript below.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for clarity.

A timeline leading up to D4vd’s murder charge in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

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