Early in 1988, possibly the strangest story to ever come out of Knox County broke. On the afternoon of January 29th, the mummified body of Carl L. Stevens was found in his home northeast of Knoxville. Carl was born in Galesburg in September of 1939 and was diagnosed as a diabetic at age 10, and battled the disease the rest of his life. In August 1966, he married Carole Abbott and they would have two children, Cindy and Craig. In 1978 or 1979, Carl’s brother introduced him to the world of alternative medicine. The Stevens family became involved in a group with would be called a cult, “The Holistic Society.” They were mostly dentists who believed that instead of modern medicine, health could be achieved through diet and herbal supplements. Unfortunately, in May of 1979, Carl went into diabetic shock and died face down on his bedroom floor, as a result of no longer taking his insulin. He was 39 years old. His wife, Carole, found him. Their children were 8 and 5 at the time.

“From the very beginning something inside me told me he wasn’t gone and that’s why I continued to take care of him,” Carole said. “I rolled him over onto his back and he stayed on the floor – as if he were in a coma – for two months.”

By then he had started turning black and swelling. “A black liquid came out of his nostrils and mouth and he shrank back down and turned a blackish brown all over,” she described.

Carl’s body would evidently been set up in the basement on a chair for some time, before being moved to a bed in the house. Carole still did not believe he was dead, and for years still would change Carl’s clothes and bedding. If anyone asked about Carl, they were shooed away and told he was sick. At times, several family members tried to get the law involved, but due to there being no actual evidence of wrongdoing, were unable to get a warrant. Eventually, a persistent cousin was finally allowed access to the home, and saw the shriveled and leathery corpse. “He was all dried out, but his beautiful red hair was unmistakable. His skin was drawn tight around his body like leather.” He was nothing more than a skeleton with skin at this point.

Involved with the family was Richard Kunce. A former dentist from Aurora, he would visit the Stevens’ home monthly, and eventually move in. Born in 1931, Kunce had once served in the Air Force and was heavily involved with the “cult.” In addition to diet and supplements, they were deeply influenced by the writings of Harold Scott, a dentist that was living in the Cayman Islands. They believed that objects held the “black soul” of the devil and that the world was made up of “pretenders.” These “pretenders” were politicians, actors, news media, and Christians who used their influence to control the world. Kunce also seemed to have several loose ties to what were described as “right-wing extremist groups.”

During the 8 and a half years of caring for the corpse, believing he was alive, the children grew up, and were 17 and 14 at the time the public learned of the truth. To most, the seemed to be perfectly normal. They were good students and didn’t get into trouble. They did pretty much go to school and come home, and friendships fizzled. They would only eat or drink things that came from home. Not a crumb or sip of anything else could be consumed as they said they had “evil vibes” and “the black soul.” School officials were concerned, but nothing came of it. All the while, the children believed their father was alive and would get better.

Carole and Richard would be arrested. They were charged with failing to report a death and due to false signing of a power of attorney form in 1984, forgery. DCFS would put the children in a foster home and get them psychological evaluations. It was found they were in a “closed delusional system and suffering from induced psychotic disorders.” It was believed hypnosis and mind control was used on them over the years. The rigid diet as well as the repetition of telling them their father was alive was used to control them. Kunce was charged with cruelty to children for teaching them “channeling, black magic, and suicide.”

At first, Kunce refused to eat or drink in jail. He demanded halibut, tuna, and whole wheat bread. He would not even drink the jails water. He also attempted to pay his bail in gold and silver coins. He changed his mind after learning he wouldn’t get the coins back later. At a court hearing he complained about the food, throw a wad of paper at the judge, and told Judge Tenold “if your mother were still alive, she’d spank you for being a naughty boy for telling a lie.” At first, he refused a lawyer, but eventually was appointed one.

The story would make national news and was reported in newspapers cross-country. Knox County Sheriff would be contacted by both Oprah and Geraldo, and would appear on Oprah’s show on March 10, 1988 to talk about “health cults.” Ann Landers would describe the case in her advice column.

Ultimately, Carole Stevens would plead guilty to her charges, and would receive probation. In 1989, the charges of cruelty to children and failure to notify were dropped, but Richard Kunce would be convicted of the forgery charges. Afterwards, he would end up in Corpus Christi where his sister lived. He died in 1996 at age 65, and is buried in a national cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.

Carl L. Stevens would be buried in Wataga Cemetery, with only his mother, Helen, attending his burial.