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Glen Helzer, Justin Helzer, and Dawn Godman were the focal points of the "Children of Thunder" killings that shook California in 2000. The three committed a string of killings as part of an extortion plot and to finance what Glen Helzer called a spiritual mission.
Five individuals died as a result of their crimes, including Selina Bishop, the daughter of blues musician Elvin Bishop. After their arrests, the three were prosecuted and sentenced to long prison terms.
As of 2025, Glen Helzer is still on death row at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in California, Justin Helzer has died, and Dawn Godman is incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. She will be eligible for parole in 2043.
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Their crimes have seen a resurgence in public interest following the true crime documentary, The Playboy Murders, on Investigation Discovery. The series aired on May 5, 2025.
Glen Helzer: On death row
As per the San Francisco Chronicle, Glen Helzer was convicted of five counts of first-degree murder in 2005. He was the leader of the "Children of Thunder" cult and devised the murders as part of a plan to overthrow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bring about the return of Christ sooner, according to court documents and news reports.
Glen Helzer has been in prison at San Quentin State Prison since his conviction. In January 2024, the California Supreme Court affirmed his death sentence, denying appeals that objected to parts of his trial and sentencing.
Despite a moratorium on executions in California, Glen Helzer is still on death row as of 2025, as per the San Francisco Chronicle. There is no public record of any change in his status or sentence.
Justin Helzer: Deceased
As per the San Francisco Chronicle, Justin Helzer, Glen Helzer's younger brother, was also found guilty along with Glen for his involvement in the murders. He was given the death penalty for the murders of Ivan and Annette Stineman and Selina Bishop, and a life sentence with parole eligibility for two other murders. As per the LA Times, Justin Helzer was imprisoned at San Quentin State Prison.
In April 2013, he died by su*cide in his cell by hanging himself with a bedsheet. Before his death, Justin had previously made another su*cide attempt, which prompted prison officials to have him under closer supervision. This precaution did not help, though, as he died by su*cide.
Dawn Godman: Serving a prison sentence
As per the San Francisco Chronicle, Dawn Godman was a close friend of the Helzer brothers and was involved in the crimes. She pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including murder, kidnapping, and robbery, in return for her testimony against Glen and Justin Helzer.
As per the LA Times, Godman was sentenced to almost 38 years to life imprisonment in 2003. She is still in prison in the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla until 2025. At the time of sentencing, Godman apologized for what she had done and apologized to the families of the victims. She will be eligible for parole in 2043, as per Harper's Magazine.
For more details on the case, watch The Playboy Murders on Investigation Discovery.
