The Turning - Seasons 1, 2 & 3

Episode: S3:EP 3 - The Maidens

Release Date: July 8, 2025

Introduction

In Season 3, Episode 3: "The Maidens" of "The Turning," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and Rococo Punch, listeners delve deeper into the harrowing experiences of Lindsay Tornambe within the River Road Fellowship cult. This episode unpacks Lindsay's journey from a hopeful 13-year-old selected as a Maiden to her eventual realization of the cult's oppressive nature.

Arrival at Shepherd's Camp

The episode opens with Lindsay recounting the day she was summoned to Victor's lodge at Shepherd's Camp. Initially, life at the camp mirrored her summer camp fantasies:

"I remember the first week we had this huge, almost like a flatbed trailer... we just slept out under the stars. ... It was so clear. Oh, what a beautiful sound. That became like our bird..."
[22:24] Host 1

The allure of communal living and nature initially masked the underlying control exerted by Victor.

Life as a Maiden

Upon arrival, Lindsay and her friend Jessana ("Jess") were integrated into the group of ten Maidens. Life was structured with daily chores, fostering a sense of responsibility and community:

"Everyone in Riverroad Fellowship, even the kids, were required to pitch in to keep the community functioning. Hard work was a given. And with Jess, it was fun..."
[10:10] Host 1

Despite the seemingly communal and supportive environment, subtle shifts began to indicate the cult's controlling dynamics.

Escalation of Control and Isolation

Victor's sermons began to intertwine scripture with the cult's ideology, enforcing strict gender roles and isolating the Maidens from the outside world:

"Victor started listing several names of girls in the room. ... These 10 girls would leave their families... They would live together... they would be known as the Maidens."
[07:35] Host 1

Rules intensified as Victor dictated interactions, limiting Maidens' communication and enforcing submissive behaviors:

"They shouldn't concern themselves with the outside world... They were not allowed to look a man in the eyes other than Victor."
[23:46] Erica Lance

This enforced insularity bred feelings of awkwardness and shame, particularly as Lindsay grappled with her emerging adolescence:

"I was going through my awkward phase... I felt so awkward even more."
[25:05] Host 1

The Commitment Ceremony

As summer neared its end, the true extent of the cult's control became evident. Victor orchestrated a spiritual marriage ceremony, solidifying the Maidens' lifelong commitment to the cult:

"Victor walked down the line. He asked each of them a question of commitment. Each one said, I do."
[51:09] Host 1

This ceremony not only bound the Maidens to Victor but also ingrained a sense of irrevocable loyalty and sacrifice.

Abuse and Coercion

Victor's manipulation extended beyond spiritual teachings into physical and emotional abuse. Lindsay recounts a pivotal and traumatic confrontation:

"He asked if I had ever masturbated... I was only 13... He slapped me across the face and yelled at me to get out of the lodge."
[34:02] Host 1

This incident marked a turning point for Lindsay, igniting her realization of the cult's true nature and her desire to escape.

Decision to Stay

Faced with ultimatums, Lindsay and her fellow Maidens were coerced into committing their lives to the cult. Despite internal doubts, pressure and manipulation led all ten Maidens to accept Victor's terms:

"I definitely thought that everyone was gonna say yes... All 10 of us said yes."
[42:02] Host 1

This unanimous decision underscored the cult's effectiveness in suppressing dissent and enforcing conformity.

Isolation and Emotional Turmoil

Post-ceremony, Lindsay struggles with the enforced isolation from her best friend Jess and the realization of her entrapment:

"Did Victor talk with your parents too?... The words didn't need to be said. It was just, is this happening to you too?"
[47:28] Host 1

The growing emotional strain highlights the psychological manipulation and control Victor exerted over the Maidens.

Conclusion and Foreshadowing

As the episode concludes, Lindsay's journey sets the stage for her eventual rebellion and the unraveling of the River Road Fellowship. The emotional depth and stark recounting of abuse provide listeners with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those trapped in cults.

Notable Quotes

• Lindsay on Initial Adjustment:

  "I thought it would be kind of like a long sleep away camp... not that we'd be knocking on boys cabins at the camp, but I thought it was going to be fun."
  [09:03] Host 1

• On Victor's Manipulation:

  "He said that Jesus Christ is looking for, for a virgin."
  [19:06] Erica Lance

• Lindsay Reflecting on Abuse:

  "It definitely didn't feel like God's love. It felt totally the opposite."
  [40:45] Host 1

Final Thoughts

Episode 3 of The Turning's third season masterfully captures Lindsay Tornambe's descent into and struggle within the River Road Fellowship. Through vivid storytelling and poignant quotes, listeners gain an intimate look at the mechanisms of control, the erosion of autonomy, and the resilience required to seek freedom from such oppressive environments.

For those interested in exploring the full depth of Lindsay's story and the dismantling of the River Road Fellowship, subscribe to "The Turning" on iHeartPodcasts and follow Rococo Punch for more gripping true crime narratives.