Bio

Michael Wayne Ryan was born on August 3, 1948, in Nebraska, USA. It is known that he dropped out of high school and became a truck driver.

As a teenager, Ryan became involved with anti-government and extremist groups. He eventually became aligned with the white supremacist movement. In the early 1980s, Ryan began leading a small cult that operated a compound near Rulo, Nebraska. His group was known for its extreme beliefs, including a strong emphasis on the supremacy of the white race.

Ryan's cult had connections with the Posse Comitatus, an anti-government organization, and was linked to the Christian Identity movement. He preached messages that included a distrust of all government establishments and promoted violent ideologies. The group accumulated weapons and supplies, preparing themselves for what they believed to be an imminent race war.

Ryan's leadership style was authoritative. He demanded strict obedience from his followers and conducted rituals that were meant to assert control over them. The compound was home to approximately 21 people, many of whom were children. Ryan was known to have taken extreme measures to exert his influence, using abuse and intimidation to maintain power over his followers.

In 1982, Ryan's actions drew the attention of law enforcement when reports surfaced about abuse within his group, leading to an investigation. 

Murder Story

Michael Wayne Ryan was involved in the murders of two people in Nebraska in 1984. His first victim was Luke Stice, who was only five years old, and his second was James Thimm, a 26-year-old man. Both murders occurred in a compound near Rulo, Nebraska.

Ryan, the leader of a small group that followed extreme anti-government beliefs, subjected Luke to horrific abuse. He physically and sexually tortured Luke, needing little reason to control his actions through violence. This included harsh punishments and rituals that Ryan dictated as part of his twisted ideology. During one of these episodes in March 1984, Ryan struck Luke, resulting in the child's death.

After killing Luke, Ryan forced others in the group, including Luke's father, Rick Stice, to participate in the abuse. In April 1984, he turned his brutality towards Thimm, who had fallen out of favor with Ryan. Thimm was held captive and subjected to extended torture that included beatings, sexual assault, and degradation. In one instance, Thimm was chained in a hog confinement shed, where he endured a series of brutal attacks. Ryan and his followers took turns inflicting violence, including breaking his limbs and using weapons to harm him.

The torture continued for several days until Thimm died from his injuries on April 29, 1984. After the murders, Ryan and his group attempted to hide their crimes. In June 1985, law enforcement became aware of the situation and eventually discovered the bodies of Luke and Thimm buried on the property.

Ryan was arrested in August 1984, and the investigation, along with testimonies from members of his group, led to his trial. The evidence presented showed the extreme nature of the torture both victims endured. Ryan was tried, found guilty of first-degree murder for Thimm's death and sentenced to death on September 12, 1985.

Michael Wayne Ryan remained incarcerated on death row for nearly three decades following his conviction. His case was subject to ongoing appeals and legal proceedings during that time.

On May 24, 2015, Ryan died of brain cancer while in custody at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution in Nebraska. His death occurred before his sentence could be carried out.