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Seven arrested after spiritual leader’s mummified remains found in Colorado

MOFFAT, Colo. (KRDO) -- Seven people are in custody after law enforcement found the mummified remains of a spiritual leader inside a southern Colorado home.

According to arrest affidavits obtained by KRDO, the mummified remains of 45-year-old Lia Carlson, who also goes by Amy Carlson, were found set up in the back bedroom of a home in Moffat in a what looked like a shrine. Her body was found inside what appeared to be a sleeping bag decorated with Christmas lights. There was glitter makeup around Carlson's eyes, though her eyes were removed. The documents also state that her skin appeared grey in color.

Carlson is believed to be the leader of a religious group called "Love Has Won." She is often referred to as "Mother God" by members of the group. In court documents, the Saguache County Sheriff's Office reports that they've received many complaints from families about the members of Love Has Won. Those complaints allege that the group is brainwashing people and stealing their money.

Authorities found Carlson's remains after a member of "Love Has Won" reported that five people had shown up at his house in Moffat looking for a place to stay on April 27, 2021. He left his home for a few hours the following day, and found Carlson's remains set up in his home when he returned. He reported what he saw to the Salida Police Department, the Saguache County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant from there and found the remains inside his home.

Police believe those who stayed at the home in Moffat transported Carlson's remains from California, in an SUV registered to Obdulia Franco.

The seven people arrested include John Robertson, Christopher Royer, Sarah Rudolph, Karin Raymond, Jason Castillo, Ma Obdulia Franco Gonzales, and Ryan Kramer. All seven are facing one count of abuse of corpse and two counts of child abuse.

The child abuse counts relate to the fact that two children were found in the house when authorities discovered Carlson's remains. The 13-year-old daughter of Karin Raymond and the 2-year-old son of the man who reported the remains to the police were both found inside the home. The 13-year-old was placed in the custody of the Saguache County Department of Social Services as her mother was arrested. The 2-year-old was released to his father.

All seven are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 in Saguache County.

Article Topic Follows: Crime

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Sydnee Scofield

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