Every day, new and strange cases of violence and crime spring up throughout the world. In this collection of strange stories, the Associated Press has examined the furthest edge of society's criminal element-obsessive, egomaniacal cult leaders.

Many of these stories unfold under normal circumstances. People looking to believe in something greater and find somewhere to belong. From the "friendly" sci-fi cult led by Marshall Applewhite the supposedly progressive, Beatles-loving Charles Manson, the faces of cult crime often offer its followers the acceptance they're looking for-at a price.

What drives people to the edge? Observe the evil within from the world's most famous cases of doomsday cults through the renowned reporting and analysis of The Associated Press.

Contributions by: Mari Yamaguchi