Peter Duma Kamenoff

Public historical records do not provide a detailed biography of Peter Duma Kamenoff’s early life, upbringing, family, or occupation prior to 1958. What is known, through cult history and reporting on the Fountain of the World tragedy, is that Kamenoff was a former follower of Krishna Venta’s WKFL (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, and Love) – Fountain of the World cult in Simi Valley, California. At some point before December 1958, he became disgruntled with Venta, alleging that Venta was a fraud, had mishandled cult funds, and had been intimate with the wives of former followers.

On December 10, 1958, Peter Duma Kamenoff and Ralph Muller executed a suicide bombing at the Simi Valley compound of Believers in the Fountain of the World religious movement, founded by Krishna Venta. Motivated by accusations of fraud, deception, and personal betrayal, Kamenoff and Muller strapped explosives to themselves and detonated the device during a gathering at the property.

The explosion killed both men, along with seven others, including Venta himself. The blast was powerful enough to blow off the roof of a children’s dormitory and ignite a brush fire that consumed more than 150 acres nearby. Among the injured were several adults and children; two young girls, ages 8 and 9, and a 59‑year‑old woman suffered serious burns as a result.

Investigators later uncovered tape recordings left by Kamenoff and Muller in which they professed their intent “to bring Krishna to justice.” The act was both a targeted attack on the cult leader and an extreme expression of their personal grievances against him.