Morbid Podcast Episode 686: Glen Helzer and the Children of Thunder (Part 2)
Release Date: July 3, 2025
Host: Morbid Network | Wondery

Introduction to Part 2

In this gripping continuation of the Glen Helzer case, hosts Ash and Elena delve deeper into the sinister world of the "Children of Thunder." Building upon the foundations laid in Part 1, this episode unravels the intricate web of deceit, murder, and cult-like fanaticism that defined one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent history.

Recap of Part 1

Before diving into the new developments, Ash provides a succinct recap of Part 1:

"We were talking about Glenn Taylor Helzer. Just talking about who he was, his life before all of this. We discussed the disappearance of Ivan and Annette Steinman, and we talked about the murders of Jennifer and James in Marin County." (08:24)

The Disappearance of the Steinmans

The episode picks up with investigators grappling to find Ivan and Annette Steinman after their minivan was found abandoned in Oakland, California, with no signs of the couple.

"A few days after their disappearance, police in Oakland, California, located their minivan... But there was no signs of Ivan and Annette, which is not good." (08:43)

Desperate for leads, the Concord Police Department made a public plea for information. This led to Vicki Sexton, a bank manager at Cal Fed, recognizing the Steinmans from a televised photo.

Vicki Sexton's Encounter with Jackie

Vicki's interaction with a mysterious woman named Jackie becomes a pivotal moment in the investigation.

"The customer was what she described as a larger blonde woman in a wheelchair dressed in a bright lime green pantsuit, large cowboy hat, and black driving gloves." (10:03)

Jackie presented two checks purportedly signed by Ivan Steinman, aiming to deposit funds into Selina Bishop's account for her medical expenses. However, red flags emerged:

"Vicki explained to Jackie that the situation was unusual and said she would need to call the Steinmans to get their approval." (14:06)

Suspicious of the circumstances, Vicki discovered that Jackie had exited through the front door, bypassing the wheelchair-accessible entrance, making the encounter highly questionable.

Discovery of Human Remains

A week later, Bolton Linden stumbled upon troubling evidence:

"On the afternoon of August 8, the manager of willow berm marina, Bolton Linden, was riding his jet ski... Inside the first bag, Linden discovered a human head and what he described as, 'a lot of body parts.'" (20:37)

Nine duffel bags containing human remains were recovered, two of which were identified as Ivan and Annette Steinman. The third body bore connections to Selina Bishop, linking the cases together.

Connection to the Marin County Murders

The plot thickens as investigators connect the Steinman disappearance to the earlier Marin County murders of Jennifer and James Gamble.

"Taylor and Justin, on the charge of possessing methamphetamine with intent to sell, he was found not guilty. Okay, so there's that for him." (23:32)

Glenn Taylor Helzer and his brother Justin were revealed to be central figures orchestrating the extortion and murders to fund their cult, the Children of Thunder.

The Children of Thunder Cult

The cult, led by Glenn Taylor Helzer, operated under the belief that they were divinely mandated to overthrow the Mormon Church and hasten the Second Coming of Christ. Their disturbing ideology included:

"1. He is already perfect. So he could do no wrong. 2. There was no such thing as right or wrong... 12. There was a higher person than Taylor. Jesus Christ, the son of the Father." (34:07)

These contradictory principles underscored their fanaticism and rationalized their heinous actions.

Trials and Sentencing

Following their arrests, the brothers faced significant legal battles:

• Don Godman, an associate, accepted a plea deal and received 38 years in prison.

• Glenn Taylor Helzer initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty, resulting in a death sentence.

• Justin Helzer maintained a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity and endured a prolonged trial, ultimately receiving the death penalty after being found sane during the murders.

"In the end, Jewett argued it was Taylor's quest for money and power over others that had really led to their death." (39:32)

Justin's tragic attempts to end his life in prison culminated in his death in 2013, highlighting the profound psychological toll of his actions.

Supreme Court Review

In 2024, Taylor's case was reviewed by the Supreme Court of California, which upheld his death sentence:

"Ultimately, the court upheld the lower court's ruling and the death sentence imposed by the jury." (41:57)

Conclusion and Reflections

Ash and Elena reflect on the harrowing impact of the Helzer brothers' actions:

"That's really heartbreaking... It's awful." (43:25)

They emphasize the innocence of the victims and the catastrophic consequences of Glenn Taylor Helzer's manipulative and delusional pursuits.

"He used. Which, like thank goodness there was a connection with, like, the Morgan Stanley stuff. Like this idiot was a financial advisor and then decided to go after his clients." (42:55)

The episode concludes with a somber reminder of the fragility of trust and the devastating effects of unchecked fanaticism.

Notable Quotes

• Elena: "It's a lot. And like, again, putting the money into an account of a person that Vicki had never heard of before." (14:30)

• Ash: "Me too. But I don't have good habits about, like, going to bed at a normal." (03:23)

• Elena: "I never want to change. It's who we are." (02:04)

• Ash: "That's wild." (42:26)

• Elena: "This is a strange case, bro." (16:52)

Final Thoughts

Episode 686 of Morbid masterfully navigates the complexities of the Glen Helzer case, intertwining meticulous research with candid reflections. By highlighting the fallibility of human judgment and the dangers of extremist ideologies, Ash and Elena provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of a case that is as tragic as it is intriguing.

Stay Tuned:
For those intrigued by this episode, consider exploring previous installments for a full grasp of the Glen Helzer and Children of Thunder saga. Stay morbid, and keep exploring the darkest corners of true crime.