Mummified body wrapped in Christmas lights believed to be dead cult leader: Investigators

SAGUACHE COUNTY, Colo. (TCD) --

Seven people were arrested after mummified remains believed to be a suspected cult leader were found on a bed wrapped in Christmas lights at a Colorado residence last week.

Saguache County Sheriff’s deputies found Amy Carlson’s remains in a sleeping bag wrapped in Christmas lights inside a Moffat home on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, the Denver Post reports. Followers of the “Love Has Won” religious group were staying in the house, according to investigators.

“Ms. Carlson is believed to be the leader of ‘Love Has Won’ and goes by the name ‘Mother God,’” according to the arrest affidavit. Amy Carlson also went by “Lia,” according to multiple reports and the sheriff’s office.

The woman’s identity was not officially confirmed, according to the Saguache County Coroner. The coroner said she had been dead for a while, saying “must be a couple of weeks or more,” according to the Denver Post. The investigation was ongoing.

Saguache County Sheriff’s deputies were responding to a report of a dead woman at the residence, and “a concern of child abuse,” KDVR-TV reports.

The resident of the house, Miguel Lamboy, went to the Salida Police Dept. on April 28 to report a death at the location at 4 Alcedo Court in Moffat, the Saguache County Sheriff’s Office said. Moffat is located about 180 miles southwest of Denver. KDVR has a copy of the sheriff’s office arrest affidavit.

• Probable Cause Statement In Support of Warrantless Arrest - Saguache County Sheriff's Office via KDVR

Lamboy told investigators he returned to his house the day before, on April 27, to find five people at his house needing a place to stay. Lamboy identified them as Jason Castillo; John Robertson; Crystal Raymond; Karin Raymond; and Ryan Cramer.

The next day, Lamboy told investigators, he drove to Denver and to Buena Vista, then returned to the house and found the dead woman, “known to him as Lia Carlson.” He said it was obvious she was dead because her eyes were missing, the sheriff’s office said.

“Mr. Lamboy stated that the body appeared to be mummified with Ms. Carlson’s teeth exposed through the lips. Mr. Lamboy stated that Ms. Carlson was wrapped in a cloth.”

The body was lying on a bed wrapped in a sleeping bag in a back bedroom. The remains “have was appears to be glitter type makeup around the eyes,” and the remains were decorated with Christmas tree lights, according to the affidavit, in a type of shrine.

“Lamboy is believed to be part of the Love has Won religious group,” the affidavit states. “The Saguache County Sheriff’s Office has received many complaints from families within the United States saying that the group is brainwashing people and stealing their money.”

A search warrant was served on the property at 11:50 p.m. on April 28. The warrant was issued to search for the body, as well as to check on the welfare of Lamboy’s son.

Ryan Kramer, 30; Christopher Royer, 35; Sarah Rudolph, 35; Karin Raymond, 47; Jason Castillo, 45; John Robertson, 32; and Obdulia Franco , 52 were found inside the house. All seven were taken into custody and transported to the Rio Grande County Jail. They were charged with abuse of a corpse and two counts each of child abuse.

Investigators also found Karin Raymond’s 13-year-old daughter in the house, and Miguel Lamboy’s 2-year-old son. Both were found sleeping and were in good health.

KDVR reports Lamboy tried to leave with his son when he saw the woman’s body, “but the visitors would not let him take the child.” That’s when he went to police. The Saguache County Sheriff’s Office then took over the investigation.

Lamboy told deputies he believed the suspects transported the body from California in a Nissan Rogue belonging to Obdulia Franco.

Saguache County Sheriff Dan Warwick “was familiar with Carlson from previous encounters and confirmed that Amy Carlson went by the name Lia Carlson,” the Alamosa Valley Courier reports.

“People whose family members have been involved in Love Has Won say Carlson led a cult and was abusive to her followers,” the Denver Post reports.

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