Rebecca Musser in Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey and Warren Jeffs during extradition hearing Courtesy of Netflix; Ethan Miller/Getty via People
Warren Jeffs became the leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) after his father Rulon Jeffs died in 1955 . The FLDS leader claimed he was the only one who could perform marriages and assign wives to men who married numerous underage girls .
Jeffs was convicted of sexually assaulting minors, including two of his child brides, and is currently serving a life sentence. Reports indicate that at least 24 of his “spiritual wives” were underage when they married him.
Warren Jeffs' wives in 'Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey'. Courtesy of Netflix via people
Some of Jeff’s former wives have managed to escape and rebuild their lives. Briell Decker, his 65th wife, fled the FLDS and now runs the Short Creek Dream Centre, a 40-bed residential facility that helps survivors of trauma, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and addiction. Vicki Thompson left in 2018, remarried the following year, and now lives in New Harmony, Utah, raising her children in a normal environment. Naomie Jeffs, once considered Jeffs’ “favourite” wife, also left in 2018 and is pursuing a career in nursing. Merrianne Jessop, married at just 12, has stayed out of the public eye since leaving the church.
Rachel Blackmore with her father, Warren Jeffs. Blackmore claims Jeffs sexually abused her during childhood, since she was eight years old. Courtesy of Rachel Blackmore with permission via abcnews
The Blackmore sisters had very different experiences. Alyshia , who married at 12, left FLDS in 2016 and now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her daughter, speaking publicly about the abuses she endured. Millie, married at 13, returned to the Bountiful FLDS community and remains loyal to the church. Nolita left in 2019 and is now pursuing writing, raising awareness about cults and the abuses within the FLDS.
Many of Jeff’s former wives managed to reclaim their lives, pursue careers, and speak out for other survivors but some have chosen to stay within the FLDS community.
Reference:
Where Are Warren Jeffs' 80 Wives Now? A Look at Their Lives After the Cult Leader Was Imprisoned for Sexually Assaulting Minors, 30 August 2025. https://people.com/where-are-warren-jeffs-wives-now-11797854
Further Reading:
The twisted world of Warren Jeffs: Former FLDS members speak out, 27 February 2024. https://abcnews.go.com/US/twisted-world-warren-jeffs-former-flds-members-speak/story?id=107493397&utm_