The chilling murder cases of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter that sent shock waves through the Utah Mormon community in the '80s are the center of the true-crime thriller series "Under the Banner of Heaven." The seven-part FX miniseries, which is based on the eponymous 2003 nonfiction bestseller by Jon Krakauer, stars Andrew Garfield and Daisy Edgar-Jones in lead roles as it examines how deep-seated religious beliefs played an integral part in a tragic double murder. The gruesome killings were carried out by Brenda's brothers-in-law Ron and Dan Lafferty, who believed they were prophets and claimed divine revelations from God as their motivation for the murders.
Though most of the adaptation focuses on the troubled fundamentalist brothers and their misguided principles, Ron's marital life with his then-wife, Dianna Lafferty, also had an impact on their homicidal machinations. Continue reading to learn more about Dianna, her tumultuous marriage to Ron, and a small update on where she is now.
Who Is Dianna Lafferty?
The Laffertys were considered a prominent devout Mormon family. Their patriarch, Watson Lafferty, indoctrinated his six children, including Ron and Dan, with extreme values. According to Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" book, Ron and Dianna first met in Florida, where the former was on a two-year Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) mission and the latter was finishing nursing training. The couple tied the knot shortly after their courtship and moved to Utah to be close to Ron's family. The two had six children. Penelope Weiss, Dianna's friend, opened up to Krakauer about the couple's marital life, stating their marriage was "so happy for sixteen and a half years." She remembered Ron as a good husband and a level-headed, responsible eldest son who often mediated disagreements in the family.
Why Did Dianna Lafferty Leave Ron Lafferty?
Things took a turn for the worse when Dan slowly began instilling his extreme fundamentalist beliefs into Ron, which included embracing the practice of polygamy, which had long been outlawed by the Mormon church in 1890. Soon after, Ron began pushing for Dianna to participate in his newfound penchant for a polygamous lifestyle and grew increasingly abusive toward her over time. Soon enough, the brothers were excommunicated from the LDS Church, and they joined an extreme sect of Mormonism called School of the Prophets.
After losing his job, financial woes increased the tension between the couple, and with Ron tumbling down a self-righteous spiral, Dianna turned to Brenda, the wife of the youngest Lafferty son, Allen, for help. Brenda, who didn't agree with Ron and Dan's fundamentalist views, strongly advised Dianna to seek divorce from Ron. Unable to find any other way out, Dianna officially filed for divorce, which was finalized in 1983. Following their split, Dianna moved back to Florida, taking their six kids with her.
When Brenda stopped Allen from joining the School of the Prophets following his brothers' persuasions, Ron accused Brenda of attempting to split their family. Already enraged with Brenda's role in his divorce from Dianna, Ron directed his resentment at Brenda and three other people he considered "obstacles in his path." In March 1984, Ron devised a murderous plot and killed Brenda and her daughter, Erica.
Where Is Dianna Lafferty Now?
Though there isn't any public information on where Dianna is at present, the last update on her following her divorce with Ron suggests she still lives in Florida along with her children.
FAQs
In the end, Dan changed his mind about taking Matilda's daughter as his wife and instead married a woman named Ann Randak who he'd met when borrowing a horse from the ranch she worked at.
What happened to the other Lafferty brothers now? ›
He chose to be killed by firing squad, but died in prison at the age of 78 from natural causes. Dan Lafferty is still alive today and is serving a life sentence, and he even spoke with Krakauer for his book.
Who is Ron Lafferty's ex wife? ›
Though most of the adaptation focuses on the troubled fundamentalist brothers and their misguided principles, Ron's marital life with his then-wife, Dianna Lafferty, also had an impact on their homicidal machinations.
Where is Alan Lafferty now? ›
Allen Lafferty (Billy Howle)
Allen testified that he was aware of Ron's revelation regarding Brenda and Erica, and that he stood up to his brother; unfortunately, he was unable to protect them. Allen has remarried and as of 2015 was living in Saratoga Springs, Utah.
What happened to the Lafferty daughters? ›
History. Ron Lafferty and his younger brother Dan were charged for the throat-slashing homicides of their sister-in-law Brenda Wright Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter Erica that occurred on July 24, 1984.
Who is Jeb Pyre based on? ›
Detectives Jeb Pyre and Bill Taba are characters that were created purely for the show, Newsweek reports. Actor Andrew Garfield, who plays Pyre, told Newsweek that while the characters aren't based on any real persons involved in the case, he did speak to a Mormon detective to prepare for the role.
What happened to detective Pyre in Under the Banner of Heaven? ›
Pyre and Taba locate Ron and Dan in the Circus Circus Casino in Reno, Nevada. The brothers are arrested just as Ron attempts to murder Dan in a bid to become the true "One." Pyre returns home and reconciles with his wife, no longer a believing man but seeing his family as his faith like Allen before him.
What happened to the real people in Under the Banner of Heaven? ›
Dan, who is now in his mid 70s, is serving a life sentence at Utah State Prison. He claimed to have killed both Brenda and Erica, but one of the brother's acquaintances said that Ron had admitted to killing Brenda and had thanked Dan for murdering Erica.
How did the Lafferty brothers get caught? ›
On August 7, 1984 police arrested Ron and Dan while they were in line for a buffet at the Circus Circus casino in Reno, Nevada.
Who is Diana in Under the Banner of Heaven? ›
Denise Gough stars as "Dianna Lafferty." The wife of Ron, Dianna met and fell in love with Ron during his mission in Florida. An adult convert to Mormonism, she is fiercely committed to her family and faith, and proves to be a dedicated sister-in-law to Brenda.
In March 1984, Ron wrote what is now known as “the removal revelation,” in which he stated that Brenda and her baby, who he believed would grow up to be just like her mother, had become “obstacles in my path” and they had to be “removed in rapid succession.” He later shared the note with members of the School of the ...
What happened to Claudine Lafferty? ›
“How could someone hear what they were planning and not do anything to warn Brenda?” Brenda's sister Betty Wright McEntire asked Krakauer. “I just can't understand it.” As of 2004, Claudine was reportedly working at the Provo LDS Temple. She died in 2016, at the age of 96.
What happened to Diana Lafferty? ›
Though there isn't any public information on where Dianna is at present, the last update on her following her divorce with Ron suggests she still lives in Florida along with her children.
Where are the Lafferty family members now? ›
Nov. 11, 2019: Ron Lafferty dies of natural causes after spending 34 years on death row, one of the longest-serving condemned inmates in the country. 2022: Dan Lafferty remains in the Utah State Prison, serving a life sentence.
Who was Matilda Lafferty married to? ›
Chloe Pirrie portrays "Matilda Lafferty." A Scottish woman raising two children from a previous relationship, Matilda met Dan while he was overseas on his mission. Marrying Dan was a fresh start she felt she couldn't attain in the Catholic faith, but now in Utah, she too often feels like an outsider.
What happened to Brenda Lafferty baby? ›
On July 24, 1984, Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter Erica were killed by her brothers-in-law, Ron and Dan Lafferty, after they allegedly received divine instructions to murder them.
What happened to the Lafferty's father? ›
Unlike with Dan, the jury at Ron's trial were in agreement over the punishment he should receive and he was given the death penalty after being found guilty for the murders of Wright Lafferty and her daughter. Ron chose to be executed by firing squad, but he died in prison of natural causes in 2019 at the age of 78.
What happened to Jeb Pyre? ›
The brothers are arrested just as Ron attempts to murder Dan in a bid to become the true "One." Pyre returns home and reconciles with his wife, no longer a believing man but seeing his family as his faith like Allen before him.
