The mysterious disappearance of six individuals, including two young children, connected to an online cult known as the "University of Cosmic Intelligence" has taken a new turn nearly three years later. A TikTok video has emerged as a potentially significant lead, offering a glimmer of hope in a case that has left investigators and families searching for answers since August 2023.
The Missing Six and Their Last Known Movements
The group vanished without a trace after being last seen on August 13, 2023, at a Quality Inn hotel on Dunn Road in Florissant, Missouri. The missing individuals are identified as Ma'Kayla Wickerson, 28; her five-year-old daughter Malaiyah Wickerson; Mikayla Thompson, 27; Naaman Williams, 32; Gerrielle German, 30; and her five-year-old daughter Ashton Mitchell. Prior to their disappearance, all six resided together in a rental home on Graham Lane near St. Louis Lambert International Airport.
A Promising Digital Lead
Berkeley Police Major Steve Runge has described a recently discovered TikTok video as a "very promising" development in the investigation. The video is believed to possibly show one of the missing women, Ma'Kayla Wickerson. Detective Sgt. George Ervin is actively seeking a warrant to identify the holder of the TikTok account that posted the video, though the court process has been slow. Ervin emphasized the need for caution, questioning whether the video genuinely features the missing person or is merely a copycat using her image.
"I know that it seems like some stuff you'd see fresh out of a movie in Hollywood, but this is real life. These people are missing," Ervin stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Major Runge echoed this sentiment, affirming, "I've promised the families that we will not give up, and we haven't given up."
Connection to the University of Cosmic Intelligence
Investigators have linked the group to the online cult University of Cosmic Intelligence, founded by self-proclaimed prophet and rapper Rashad Jamal. The cult, which amassed tens of thousands of followers on social media, promoted beliefs including the adoption of aliases tied to gods and goddesses, polygamy, rejection of government authority, and severing ties with family and friends. Major Runge, who has been investigating the case since the disappearance, noted the group's abrupt cessation of all social media activity on August 13, 2023, leaving no current digital footprint.
Disturbing Discoveries and Unusual Behavior
When police searched the rental home after the disappearance, they found unsettling evidence of a sudden departure. Food was left in the microwave, laundry in the washing machine, and valuables, including a closet full of expensive shoes, were abandoned. Officers also discovered an altar and items wrapped in copper. A diary recovered from one of the missing individuals contained repetitive writings such as "I am a god," which Runge described as indicative of brainwashing.
Neighbors reported witnessing disturbing and unusual behavior from the group, including daily meditation or worship in the backyard, sometimes while naked. They were observed worshipping the sun, digging in the yard, and running naked in the rain. Runge characterized their activities as "really off the grid kind of stuff" focused on preparing for doomsday and a belief that they were not from this planet.
Families Cling to Hope
For Cartisha Morgan, the grandmother of Malaiyah and mother of Ma'Kayla, the TikTok lead represents a rare beacon of hope after years of silence. "I just want them home, and I hope that they're safe," Morgan expressed. She believes her daughter's vulnerable state and struggles with mental illness were exploited by the cult, urging others to take such signs seriously. "This situation has brought awareness not only to my family. I just want to get the word out there," she added.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal
Authorities continue to pursue all possible leads, examining common places the group frequented, rental car records, phone records, and any ties out of state or country. The investigation remains active, with police determined to uncover the fate of the missing six. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Berkeley Police Department at 314-524-3311.
