The Story Behind This Evil Place in Nebraska Will Make Your Blood Turn Cold

Quiet little Rulo, in the southeastern corner of Nebraska, is a beautiful river town with a strong sense of community pride. The surrounding farm country is some of the loveliest you'll see in Nebraska.

Trigger warning: The story below includes violence, abuse, and murder. Reader discretion is advised.

In the early 1980s, however, a dark chapter unfolded nearby that would forever stain the area’s history. So, "What happened in Rulo, Nebraska?" you ask. I will tell the unsettling tale of one man and the horrifying events that followed. The town of Rulo itself is not evil, but the acts that took place nearby are shocking and unforgettable.

Michael Ryan was a white supremacist who took over a defunct 80-acre hog farm outside of Rulo in the early 1980s. Over time, he convinced a group of people that he was a spiritual leader—a self-proclaimed "archangel"—who would guide them through the coming end times with a mix of survivalism and heavy arms. His beliefs were influenced by the Christian Identity movement, which shaped his extreme ideology. His followers funded their activities by stealing farm equipment and other items from nearby properties and selling them to purchase weapons and survivalist supplies. As a result, a cult in Rulo, Nebraska, was born—one that would go on to commit atrocities that remain haunting to this day.

At its peak, the group contained more than 20 people, including children. Many left their previous lives behind to join Ryan. One mother of five fled her marriage and took her children to the hog farm, leaving her family unaware of their whereabouts. Ryan exerted complete control over his disciples in this Rulo, Nebraska, cult. While many of us will never understand what it’s like to be drawn into a cult, some are swayed for reasons that can seem compelling at the time.

Ryan had such command over his followers that he directed one man to commit acts of abuse against his own son, Luke Stice, which were tragically carried out. After Ryan killed the boy in a fit of anger, he ordered the father to dig the grave. Ryan's most heinous crimes also involved 26-year-old James Thimm, who was tortured by Ryan and his followers for days. They chained him up in a hog shed and committed acts so shocking that I won’t describe them here—you can read the full details on Murderpedia. Thimm was ultimately killed.

The Rulo compound was raided by local and state law enforcement as well as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms because of the group’s large weapons stockpile. Authorities found guns, ammunition, explosives, and the graves of Ryan’s two victims. Ryan was convicted of first-degree murder for Thimm’s death and sentenced to death. He pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for the death of Luke Stice and died of natural causes on death row in 2015. Two other cult members were convicted for their involvement and received lengthy sentences, though both have since been released.

Though Ryan is gone and most of the hog farm buildings have been demolished or reclaimed by time, the memory of these events lives on for Nebraskans, particularly those who call Rulo home.

After such a heavy story, it’s worth turning your attention to Nebraska’s beauty. Take a look at these 12 stunning photos of the Sandhill Region, explore more history at the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Kearney, or start planning your own trip on one of our favorite Nebraska road trips.