Six People Tied to Online 'Cult' Vanish in Missouri, TikTok Video May Offer Clue

Berkeley police are investigating a new TikTok video that could lead them to the missing individuals.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 1:47pm

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Six people, including three women and two young children, have been missing from a home near St. Louis, Missouri, since August 2023. The group was allegedly part of an online cult led by Rashad Jamal, who was convicted of child molestation charges in 2023. Police believe they may have found a 'very promising' TikTok video that could potentially lead them to the missing individuals.

Why it matters

The disappearance of these six people, some of whom were reportedly exhibiting cult-like behaviors before vanishing, has raised concerns about the influence of online spiritual movements and the potential for vulnerable individuals to become isolated from their loved ones. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down missing persons with limited digital footprints.

The details

The missing individuals include Ma'Kayla Wickerson, 28, and her 5-year-old daughter Malaiyah, Gerrielle German, 30, and her 5-year-old daughter Ashton Mitchell, Mikayla Thompson, 27, and Naaman Williams, 32. They were last seen at a hotel in Florissant, Missouri, on August 13, 2023, and have not been heard from since. Police believe the group was part of an online cult led by Rashad Jamal, who is currently serving a prison sentence for child molestation charges. Neighbors reported seeing some of the missing individuals on the roof of their rental home, naked, and exhibiting 'off the grid' and 'doomsday' behaviors.

  • The group was last seen at a hotel in Florissant, Missouri, on August 13, 2023.
  • Ma'Kayla Wickerson's mother, Cartisha Morgan, called police on August 12, 2023, to express concern for her daughter, whom she had not heard from.

The players

Ma'Kayla Wickerson

A 28-year-old woman who was part of the missing group and is the mother of 5-year-old Malaiyah Wickerson.

Gerrielle German

A 30-year-old woman who was part of the missing group and is the mother of 5-year-old Ashton Mitchell.

Mikayla Thompson

A 27-year-old woman who was part of the missing group.

Naaman Williams

A 32-year-old man who was part of the missing group and is also known as Anubis Aramean.

Rashad Jamal

A convicted child molester who is believed to have led an online cult that the missing individuals were allegedly part of.

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What they’re saying

“We have submitted a legal demand to [TikTok] for the release of user data associated with that user page, as well [as] an IP location for any recent posts.”

— Steve Runge, Berkeley Police Major

“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.”

— George Ervin, Berkeley Police Detective, Sergeant

“I really hope we find them. I've promised the families that we will not give up, and we haven't given up.”

— Steve Runge, Berkeley Police Major

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow TikTok to release user data associated with the account that may feature one of the missing individuals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing influence of online spiritual movements and the potential for vulnerable individuals to become isolated from their loved ones. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down missing persons with limited digital footprints, emphasizing the need for improved tools and resources to address such complex cases.