Jonestown Murder Victim. Born Patricia Chaffin in Springfield, Ohio, she was the wife of Gerald Parks. During the 1960's, she met Rev. Jim Jones and, with her family, became followers of his teaching. In 1966, the Parks family followed Jones to California and settled in the town of Ukiah until March 1978, when they moved again to follow Jones to his Peoples Temple settlement of Jonestown in Guyana. Soon rumors began to develop about conditions in Jonestown and that people were being held there against their will. In response, Congressman Leo Ryan announced that he would lead a fact finding mission to investigate the settlement. Arriving on November 14, 1978 with members of the media and concerned relatives, the group would enter Jonestown on November 17 and would indeed find residents who wished to leave, including the Parks family. The next day, Ryan's party and several of the Jonestown defectors were organizing to leave at the Point Kaituma airstrip when they were attacked by temple gunmen. While the other members of her family were able to escape to safety, Patricia was shot and killed. Congressman Ryan, NBC anchorman Don Harris, NBC cameraman Bob Brown, and photographer Greg Robinson were also killed in the attack, while Rev. Jim Jones and over 900 of his followers committed suicide later that same day.
Jonestown Murder Victim. Born Patricia Chaffin in Springfield, Ohio, she was the wife of Gerald Parks. During the 1960's, she met Rev. Jim Jones and, with her family, became followers of his teaching. In 1966, the Parks family followed Jones to California and settled in the town of Ukiah until March 1978, when they moved again to follow Jones to his Peoples Temple settlement of Jonestown in Guyana. Soon rumors began to develop about conditions in Jonestown and that people were being held there against their will. In response, Congressman Leo Ryan announced that he would lead a fact finding mission to investigate the settlement. Arriving on November 14, 1978 with members of the media and concerned relatives, the group would enter Jonestown on November 17 and would indeed find residents who wished to leave, including the Parks family. The next day, Ryan's party and several of the Jonestown defectors were organizing to leave at the Point Kaituma airstrip when they were attacked by temple gunmen. While the other members of her family were able to escape to safety, Patricia was shot and killed. Congressman Ryan, NBC anchorman Don Harris, NBC cameraman Bob Brown, and photographer Greg Robinson were also killed in the attack, while Rev. Jim Jones and over 900 of his followers committed suicide later that same day.
Bio by: G.Photographer
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MOM, WE LOVE YOU
PATRICIA L. PARKS
1934 — 1978
BRENDA-TRACY-DALE
Family Members
Children
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