Mathew Coleman and the Psychology of Conspiracy-Driven Murder

How a spiritual surfer and sex trafficking victim advocate ended up killing his kids and what it reveals about the deadly intersection of mental illness, online radicalization, and religious delusions

@matthewtaylorcoleman via Instagram

Abby Coleman was folding tiny swimsuits and stuffing snacks into coolers when her husband, Matthew, suddenly scooped up their children and walked out the door. It was Saturday morning, August 7, 2021, and the family had been preparing for a camping trip-the kind of regular weekend activity that filled the Colemans’ Instagram feed. Kaleo, their energetic 2-year-old, and baby Roxy, just 10 months old, were still in their pajamas. He drove away without saying a word.

What Abby didn’t know as she watched the family’s Mercedes Sprinter van pull away from their Santa Barbara home was that her husband believed their children were monsters. That he’d been receiving visions from Q-the mysterious figure behind QAnon. That he saw himself as Neo from The Matrix, chosen to decode reality itself. That he believed she had passed “serpent DNA” to their babies.

Two days later, a farmer in Baja California would discover the bodies of two small children in a remote ranch area, stabbed through the heart with a spearfishing gun.

Matthew Taylor Coleman-surf instructor, devout Christian, Point Loma Nazarene graduate with a master’s from UCSB-had become a child killer. His journey from beachside entrepreneur to murderer offers a terrifying window into how conspiracy theories can hijack vulnerable minds and transform love into violence. It’s a story that begins not with apparent madness, but with a couple searching for truth together, watching YouTube videos after the kids went to bed.

The Perfect California Life-On the Surface

Born and raised in the coastal city, Matthew Coleman learned to surf, spearfish, and sail as a boy. He competed on the surf team at Point Loma Nazarene University, an evangelical Christian college in San Diego, before earning a master’s degree from UC Santa Barbara.

After college, Coleman traveled to Spain and surfed in more than 20 countries on what he called a “surf mission.” He returned to Santa Barbara, married Abby in 2017, and launched Lovewater Surf Co., teaching children ages 8 to 13 how to surf while incorporating Bible study. The business wasn’t just about waves-Coleman worked closely with Hope Refuge, a local nonprofit helping sex trafficking victims.

But by summer 2021, something had shifted.

Down the Rabbit Hole Together

According to FBI documents, by early 2021, Matthew and Abby had begun “researching” together-a term that, in the context of QAnon, carries a very different meaning from academic study. They watched videos about cabals and conspiracies. Abby sent Matthew Instagram screenshots from conspiracy accounts with mottos like “Symbolism is the language of the satanic elite.” They discussed how hand gestures revealed people who were “evil disguised as good.”They studied celebrity photos for hidden hand signals. Peace signs became evidence of evil. Thumbs up meant complicity in global plots.

The specifics of Coleman’s entry point into QAnon remain unclear, but the pattern is familiar. QAnon had been spreading through evangelical communities, exploiting existing beliefs about spiritual warfare and end times. For someone like Coleman-who spent years working with actual trafficking victims-claims about elite pedophile rings might have seemed less outlandish than they would to others. According to the FBI search warrant, Coleman told agents he first learned of “Lizard People” from “that British guy with white hair”-a reference to David Icke, the former BBC broadcaster turned prolific conspiracy theorist.

By March, friends noticed him becoming “significantly more paranoid.” He spoke of receiving divine visions, of understanding what God was really saying. One friend told the FBI that Matthew “had a hard time sharing what was in his head and had to dumb down his visions and dreams for others.”

This inability to articulate his beliefs coherently should have been a warning sign. Instead, in the evangelical circles where Coleman moved, it seemed like a sign of spiritual depth. Helen Rose, who claims to have grown up in the same house as Coleman, would later post that his “undiagnosed mental illness to an extreme…may have been recognized in other communities, but the community he was an integral part of, the fundamentalist Christian evangelical community, seeing ‘signs and interpreting messages from God’ is accepted and encouraged.”

By late July 2021, Matthew wasn’t just consuming conspiracy content-he was living it. He told friends about decoding “signs” in everyday interactions. Church leaders were suspects. Neighbors were potential reptilians. Even old photos of friends making peace signs became evidence of involvement in the global conspiracy.

Coleman began believing he was specially chosen, “like Neo from The Matrix.” The conspiracy was becoming personalized. His “serpent DNA” belief wasn’t part of QAnon canon. No online community discussed children having reptilian genetics that could be passed maternally. This was his mind taking the building blocks of conspiracy and constructing something uniquely bizarre.

The specificity is telling; it wasn’t just that elites were reptilian, but that his wife had passed corrupted DNA to their babies. Not just that evil existed, but that his children would “grow into monsters.” The delusion had become intimate, personal, and wholly divorced from even the conspiracy community that spawned it. Coleman didn’t post his theory online for validation. He didn’t seek the opinions of other believers. He began believing he was on a divine mission that no one else could understand. When arrested, he immediately confessed, still convinced he’d saved the world-the hallmark of psychotic certainty versus conspiratorial speculation.

This progression illustrates why Coleman’s case differs from that of even the most extreme conspiracy theorists. A QAnon adherent might think Hillary Clinton drinks children’s blood, but they don’t think their toddler is a threat. They might distrust vaccines, but they don’t receive personal visions from Q. They might see signs everywhere, but they can still explain their beliefs to others, however wrongly.

Coleman had crossed into true psychosis-his beliefs were bizarre, personal, incorrigible, and acted upon with absolute conviction. Understanding this distinction helps us identify who requires mental health intervention versus who needs access to better information sources.

After Matthew disappeared with the children, Abby’s paranoia surfaced, too. She accused a family friend of being “in on it” based on hand gestures in an old Facebook photo. The friend told FBI agents that Abby “kept saying that she wondered if [the friend] was a Freemason or something.”

“She explained that she and her husband were researching QAnon,” FBI agents would later write about their interview with Abby. But while she maintained some distance from the theories, Matthew dove deeper.

What we don’t know-and may never know-is what Abby was honestly thinking and feeling during this period. Was she a genuine believer in the conspiracies? Was she trying to connect with her increasingly distant husband by speaking his language? Was she, like many partners of people experiencing delusions, walking an impossible tightrope between not alienating him and not feeding his paranoia?

What we do know is that she had no idea her children were in danger. Nothing in the FBI documents suggests she knew about Matthew’s “serpent DNA” delusions or that she ever imagined he could hurt their babies. She was planning a camping trip, texting about her “little giant slayer,” completely unaware that her husband’s reality had fractured beyond recognition.

The Final Spiral

The text messages between Matthew and Abby on August 9th reveal a woman desperately trying to connect with her husband’s fractured reality. As she waited at home, not knowing her children were already dead, she texted:

“Everything you’ve believed and known to be true is happening right now. You were created to change the course of world history.”

Then, heartbreakingly:

“Take care of my little giant slayer and the voice of heaven’s dove.”

These weren’t the words of someone who knew her children were in danger. They were the words of someone who had gone far enough down the rabbit hole to speak her husband’s language, but not far enough to realize he saw their babies as monsters.

Matthew had told Abby that their son, Kaleo, was “brilliant and brave,” and their daughter, Roxy, had “very unique qualities.” What she didn’t know was that in his delusional state, these special qualities had transformed into evidence of serpent DNA.

The Murders

The details of what happened in Mexico are almost too horrific to recount. After checking into a hotel in Rosarito with his children on August 7, Coleman left with them at 3:00 AM on August 9. He drove to a ranch area about 20 miles away.

According to his confession, he stabbed 2-year-old Kaleo first, piercing his heart with a spearfishing gun. Then he killed 10-month-old Roxy the same way. He left their small bodies by the roadside and returned to his hotel alone.

When arrested at the border hours later, Coleman immediately confessed. He told FBI agents he knew it was wrong but believed killing his children was “the only course of action that would save the world.” They were going to grow into monsters. They had serpent DNA. He had to stop them.

This is the unique horror of conspiracy violence: it transforms love into its opposite. Coleman didn’t kill his children despite loving them. He killed them because he loved them-loved them enough to believe he was saving them from becoming something monstrous.

Why QAnon Was the Perfect Storm for Coleman

Not all conspiracy theories are equally dangerous. QAnon had specific qualities that made it particularly lethal for someone with Coleman’s psychological profile:

It started with his genuine concern (child trafficking from his volunteer work)

It cast him as a hero in an epic spiritual battle

It was unfalsifiable-evidence against it became proof of the cover-up

It provided an instant online community during the pandemic isolation

It transformed the pandemic’s chaos into a purposeful mission

For Coleman, QAnon wasn’t just another conspiracy theory. His work with trafficking victims made the core premise believable. His evangelical background primed him for narratives of spiritual warfare. His narcissistic traits fed on being “chosen.” The pandemic created the perfect conditions-isolation, uncertainty, and endless time online.

Most crucially, QAnon gave his deteriorating mind a framework. Instead of random paranoid thoughts, he had a divine mission. Instead of mental illness, he had enlightenment. Instead of delusions about his children, he had a calling to save the world.

Understanding Conspiracy Thinking

A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event that blames a secret, powerful, evil group, despite there being a simpler or more plausible explanation. These theories are designed to be impossible to disprove; any attempt to do so is framed as proof of the cover-up. A conspiracy belief occurs when a person buys into one or more specific theories, such as the belief that birds are actually surveillance drones or that 9/11 was an inside job.

A critical concept for understanding conspiracy-related violence risk is a conspiracy mentality. This isn’t just a single belief, but a general worldview that interprets major events as the work of secret plots. When someone develops this all-encompassing worldview, their sense of reality can shift; one conspiracy belief makes it easier to believe others. In this new reality, actions that society deems extreme can feel logical, justified, and even necessary.

This generalized mentality, more than any single belief, is the stronger predictor of a willingness to engage in illegal or violent political acts. This is why assessing for a general conspiracy mentality is a more powerful indicator of potential risk than simply asking about beliefs in popular theories.

Sometimes They’re Real

Before dismissing all conspiracy theories as bunk, remember: sometimes they’re true. The CIA really did conduct mind control experiments (MK-Ultra). The government really did let Black men suffer from untreated syphilis (Tuskegee). The NSA really was collecting our data. These were actual conspiracies, hidden until whistleblowers, journalists, or declassified documents revealed the truth. Recognizing this matters because it highlights why dismissing all conspiracy theories as “crazy” is both intellectually and practically flawed. It explains why people like Coleman might start with reasonable suspicions before sliding into delusion.

But here’s the crucial distinction: real conspiracies have characteristics that delusions lack. They typically involve small numbers of people with transparent motives. They leave evidence trails. They eventually unravel because humans are terrible at keeping secrets forever. Most importantly, they can be proven wrong-if the CIA hadn’t done MK-Ultra, documents could have shown that as well.

Coleman’s “serpent DNA” belief lacked these qualities. It was unfalsifiable, endlessly expanding, and purely metaphysical. No evidence could disprove it because any evidence against it became proof of how deep the conspiracy went. This is where healthy skepticism disappears entirely.

Why People Fall In: Normal Human Needs

Most conspiracy believers are trying to fulfill basic psychological needs we all share:

The need for answers: When the world feels chaotic-like during a pandemic-conspiracy theories provide simple explanations for complex events. They transform confusion into clarity, randomness into purpose.

The need for control: Feeling powerless is terrifying. Conspiracy theories restore a sense of control by identifying the enemy. If evil cabals run everything, at least you know who to blame.

The need to belong: Conspiracy communities offer instant connection with fellow “truth seekers.” They provide both a tribe and a way to feel special-you’re one of the few who “really understands.”

These aren’t character flaws. They’re human needs that, under stress, can lead people down dangerous paths.

Thinking Patterns That Create Vulnerability

Some people are more susceptible due to how they process information. For instance, people who tend to trust feelings over careful analysis are more likely to believe conspiracies. If it feels true, it must be true. This is not about a lack of intelligence, but rather a reliance on a thinking pattern that favors rapid, intuitive judgments over slower, deliberate analysis. Anyone can develop these patterns, but they often become more pronounced when individuals feel anxious, powerless, or uncertain, as the brain works overtime to find order in what feels like a chaotic world.

Is There a Conspiracy Personality?

While anyone can be drawn to a conspiracy theory, research shows that certain personality profiles are more vulnerable. The single strongest predictor is a trait known as schizotypy, which is characterized by odd or eccentric thinking, unusual beliefs, and magical thinking. For individuals who already perceive the world through this unconventional lens, the bizarre and secretive narratives of conspiracy theories can feel like a natural fit, providing a structured explanation for their unusual perceptions. This is often coupled with a deep and pervasive suspicion of others, particularly a profound mistrust of authority and institutions. While healthy skepticism is a valuable critical thinking skill, this level of paranoid ideation opens the door to believing that malevolent groups are constantly plotting in secret.

This vulnerability is also linked to a cluster of “dark” personality traits. For instance, individuals with a manipulative and cynical worldview, a trait known as Machiavellianism, are more likely to believe others conspire because they are inclined to do so themselves. Similarly, traits associated with psychopathy, such as a lack of empathy and a callous, selfish nature, also predict conspiracy belief. This connection is particularly concerning, as these same antisocial traits are independently linked to a greater acceptance of violence. Finally, the social need to feel special and superior, a hallmark of narcissism, is powerfully fed by the allure of conspiracy theories, which offer believers the feeling of possessing secret, privileged knowledge that the ignorant masses cannot comprehend.

In a small number of cases, these tendencies are not just traits but components of a clinical diagnosis. Full-blown personality disorders, especially Paranoid Personality Disorder and Schizotypal Personality Disorder, are found more often among dedicated believers. For these individuals, a constant fear of others’ malicious intent or a worldview defined by magical thinking is their everyday reality. However, it is important to note that while these disorders are the strongest clinical predictors, research suggests the overall link between most personality disorders and conspiracy belief is generally weak to modest, and they do not adequately capture the personality profile of the majority of believers.

Severe Mental Illness: The Outlier on the Spectrum

Most conspiracy believers don’t have a mental illness. But when severe mental illness meets conspiracy theories, the combination can be deadly.

In those who commit conspiracy-driven violence, rates of severe mental illness are 15–20%. These most commonly include schizophrenia spectrum disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, etc.) followed by bipolar disorder (during manic episodes) or severe depression with psychotic features.

However, it’s not the diagnosis that’s predictive; it’s the symptoms. When we look at the link between an untreated severe mental illness and violence in general, it is those who have command auditory hallucinations (voices ordering them to commit a certain act) and paranoid ( “I’ve got to defend myself”) or grandiose delusions (“I’ve been chosen”) that often makes violence a seemingly necessary choice.

For Coleman, mental illness transformed shared conspiracy beliefs into personal psychotic delusions. His “serpent DNA” belief went beyond QAnon; it was his mind creating its own reality.

The Bidirectional Damage

Conspiracy theories don’t just attract those with mental illness; they can put a dent in just about anyone’s mental health. Even psychologically healthy people report increased anxiety, depression, and paranoia after immersing themselves in conspiracy content.

For someone with Coleman’s vulnerabilities, it was like pouring gasoline on a fire. The constant exposure to threat narratives, the encouragement to see danger everywhere, and the validation of paranoid thinking all pushed him along the continuum from curiosity to killing.

This bidirectional damage is why Coleman’s story matters. It shows how conspiracy movements can act as both a magnet and an amplifier for mental illness, creating outcomes that neither factor alone would produce. The vast majority of conspiracy theorists will never progress beyond the normal stages of conspiracy belief. But for those with the right (or wrong) combination of traits, circumstances, and exposures, the descent can be swift and catastrophic.

The Path from Belief to Violence

Among the millions who fall down conspiracy theory rabbit holes, violence remains astonishingly rare. Less than one percent of even the most dedicated believers-those who spend hours daily consuming conspiracy content-ever commit violent acts. This statistical reality makes cases like Matthew Coleman’s all the more chilling. What transforms a believer into a killer?

The answer lies not in the beliefs themselves, but in a perfect storm of psychological vulnerabilities and life circumstances. While most conspiracy theorists remain harmless, certain factors dramatically increase the risk of violence. When researchers examined those who crossed the line from belief to bloodshed, disturbing patterns emerged.

The most consistent pattern was access to weapons, present in 95% of cases. Nearly all had become profoundly isolated, with 90% having severed ties to normal social networks. They’d experienced recent personal crises-job loss, divorce, death of loved ones-in 85% of cases. Perhaps most tellingly, 70% had shared violent fantasies with others before acting, and 40% had histories of violence or aggressive behavior.

While severe mental illness appeared in only 15–20% of violent actors, this still represented a tenfold increase compared to general conspiracy believers. Those who did experience psychotic symptoms like command hallucinations or paranoid delusions faced dramatically elevated risk, even though they remained a minority among violent actors.

To understand how beliefs become fuel for violence, we need to examine the psychological alchemy at work. Conspiracy theories don’t just provide alternative explanations for world events-they fundamentally reshape how believers see humanity itself. The world becomes a stark battlefield. You’re either a fellow truth-seeker or part of the conspiracy. There is no middle ground, no room for doubt.

This black-and-white thinking sets the stage for something far more dangerous: dehumanization. Conspirators aren’t viewed as simply misguided or corrupt; they become evil incarnate, literal monsters threatening everything good in the world. For Coleman, this transformation was horrifyingly literal. His own children ceased to be innocent babies and became serpent-DNA monsters in his eyes. Once someone stops seeing others as human, the moral barriers that prevent violence begin to crumble.

In this twisted worldview, violence isn’t just justified-it becomes heroic. If you genuinely believe evil cabals are destroying humanity, wouldn’t stopping them be the ultimate act of courage? Violence gets reframed from aggression to necessary defense of the innocent. You’re not a killer; you’re a warrior saving the world.

Two psychological processes prove especially dangerous in this transformation. The first is moral outrage-a toxic cocktail of anger and disgust that conspiracy theories expertly provoke. Believers don’t simply disagree with the “conspirators”; they’re physically revolted by them. This visceral reaction predicts both the desire for punishment and the willingness to personally inflict it.

The second process, identity fusion, goes beyond merely joining a group. It occurs when your personal identity merges completely with the group’s mission. The boundary between self and cause dissolves. Threats to the group feel like threats to your very existence, making you willing to kill or die for the cause. You don’t just believe in the mission-you are the mission.

Researchers have identified two main paths from belief to bloodshed. The first involves “true believers” whose conspiracy worldview itself drives the violence. They become so utterly convinced of the evil plot that violence appears to be the only logical response. This was Coleman’s path, though complicated by his mental illness. His psychotic symptoms didn’t just incorporate conspiracy theories-they transformed them into a divine mission.

The second path involves those already prone to violence who latch onto conspiracy theories as convenient justification. The conspiracy doesn’t cause their violence; it merely provides a socially acceptable excuse for their existing violent impulses.

But even among those with multiple risk factors, violence remains rare. Certain traits can prevent that final leap: strong impulse control allows doubts to interrupt action, while respect for law and authority creates barriers even when beliefs are firm. It’s when someone lacks these protective factors that conspiracy beliefs can turn deadly.

Coleman represented the perfect storm. A diagnosed mental illness left him vulnerable to delusions. Social isolation-exacerbated by church-hopping and pandemic lockdowns-removed stabilizing influences. The stress of new parenthood during a global crisis created overwhelming pressure. Easy access to weapons meant violent thoughts could quickly become violent acts. His expressed belief that he was “chosen” for a divine mission showed identity fusion in its most dangerous form. Most critically, he had achieved complete dehumanization, seeing his own children as literal monsters requiring elimination.

This alignment of factors is extraordinarily rare, which is why conspiracy-motivated violence remains uncommon despite the proliferation of conspiracy beliefs. But when all these elements do align, when psychological vulnerability meets circumstantial pressure meets ideological justification, the results are catastrophic. Understanding these patterns isn’t just academic-it’s essential for identifying and interrupting the path from belief to violence before another tragedy occurs. The Path from Belief to Violence

Of the millions who believe conspiracy theories, fewer than 1% ever commit any violent acts. Even among the most dedicated believers-those spending hours daily on conspiracy sites-violence remains vanishingly rare.

The Role of the Media

We know how algorithms work; platforms notice our engagement and begin recommending similar content. Echo chambers form as each click brings more extreme content. Like-minded online communities praised his “research” and “awakening,” and before long, he no longer received contradictory information.

Traditional media may also have played its role in the conspiracy ecosystem that consumed Coleman. Cable news channels, desperate for ratings during the pandemic, gave airtime to conspiracy theories and narratives with a connection to them. Even when debunking QAnon claims, they amplified the very ideas they claimed to oppose, ensuring millions heard about elite cabals and hidden symbols for the first time.

For someone like Coleman, already primed by mental illness and searching for answers, this media saturation normalized what should have seemed bizarre. When major outlets discuss “lizard people” theories-even to mock them-they move these ideas from the fringe into mainstream consciousness. The very act of taking conspiracies seriously enough to debunk them grants them a certain legitimacy.

The Aftermath

Coleman is now held at a federal medical facility in Missouri, diagnosed with “Unspecified Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder” after a 21-week psychiatric evaluation. He’s been deemed incompetent to stand trial. Guards report he “rambles incoherently” and has repeatedly harmed himself-banging his head against walls, cutting himself, slamming his head into toilets. He’s been forcibly medicated with antipsychotics.

His family says he “begged for forgiveness” in phone calls from prison in the early days after his arrest-brief moments of lucidity in an otherwise shattered mind. Helen Rose, who claims to have grown up in the same house as Coleman, told reporters: “It’s sinking in what happened, and he’s devastated.”

But these moments of clarity were fleeting. By 2025, Coleman has deteriorated to being “nearly incomprehensible” in his limited family contacts. Court documents describe a man lost in psychosis, unable to participate in his defense, trapped in the same delusional framework that led him to murder. At his last competency hearing in February, there had been no improvement.

The Woman Left Behind

Abby Coleman has never spoken publicly. She left California for Texas, where she lives with family, cycling through what friends describe as “conflicting feelings”-sometimes pity for her mentally ill husband, rage at the man who murdered her babies.

“She loves him, but she fears him,” one friend told reporters. Abby reportedly wonders if she was next on his list, if her “serpent DNA” would have marked her for death, too.

According to sources, she now realizes “some of those theories weren’t even close to being true.” Like many who lose loved ones to conspiracy-driven violence, she’s left grappling with impossible questions: Could she have done something different? Were there signs she missed? How do you process losing your children to the person you trusted most?

The truth is, there’s no evidence Abby could have predicted or prevented what happened. She was dealing with a husband whose underlying mental illness was being weaponized by online conspiracies. She tried to stay connected to him, the only way she knew how. She texted him words of love and support, having no idea her babies were already gone.

There is no public indication that she has filed for divorce. The legal complexities of divorcing someone incompetent to stand trial pale beside the emotional impossibility of processing what happened. How do you divorce someone whose mind has been so shattered by illness that the man you married is effectively missing?

Advice For Families

When a loved one becomes consumed with a concerning conspiracy, families face an agonizing dilemma. If they push too hard against their beliefs, the person may cut them off entirely. If they say nothing or play along, they may miss changes to help. Walking this tightrope is not easy; don’t do it alone. Here are a few strategies that can help:

* Ask open-ended questions rather than arguing: “What makes you think that?” or “How did you come to that conclusion?”

* Express concern about behaviors, not beliefs: “I’m worried about how many hours you’re spending online,” rather than “Those theories are crazy.”

* Maintain connection: Keep doing normal activities together that don’t involve conspiracy topics.

* Set boundaries: “I care about you, but I need breaks from discussing these topics.”

* Document changes: Keep notes on behavioral shifts, especially any mentions of violence. Don’t ignore statements or actions that worry or alarm you.

* Consult professionals: There’s no downside to getting an objective professional opinion about what’s going on, even if the concerning family member won’t attend.

* Know your resources: Familiarize yourself with local mental health laws and crisis services before you need them.

The Children Who Should Be Here

Kaleo Coleman would be five now. He’d likely be learning to surf in the same waves where his father once taught. Roxy would be almost four, maybe starting preschool.

Instead, their lives ended on a Mexican ranch, victims not just of their father’s hands but of a perfect storm of mental illness, digital radicalization, religious delusion, and systemic failures. They died because a man’s spiralling mental illness wasn’t recognized or treated. Because conspiracy theories gave a psychotic man a framework for his delusions. Because algorithms fed his obsessions. Because churches mistook madness for prophecy. Because our society lacks adequate resources for families watching loved ones slip away into delusion.

Understanding the psychological pathways to conspiracy-linked violence isn’t just academic. It’s a matter of life and death. Because somewhere right now, another vulnerable person is clicking on their first QAnon video. They’re not stupid or evil. They’re human, moving along the same psychological spectrum, searching for certainty in chaos and a way to feel special in a world that feels confusing and hostile.

References and Resources

Below is a curated list of primary sources, major news reports, and academic resources that support the information in the article and provide further reading on the case and its underlying themes.

Primary and Legal Documents

1. United States of America v. Matthew Taylor Coleman, Case No. ‘21-CR-2374-DMS (U.S. District Court, Southern District of California): This is the official court docket. The most critical document for understanding the facts of the case is the Criminal Complaint and Affidavit (Doc. 1), filed on August 11, 2021. It contains the detailed narrative from the FBI, including text messages and Coleman’s full confession.
2. Competency Hearing Reports: Subsequent filings in the federal court case provide details on Coleman’s psychiatric evaluations, his diagnosis, and the legal arguments surrounding his fitness to stand trial.

Major News Coverage and Investigative Reports

1. Los Angeles Times, “The making of a monster: A surf dad, his kids and the dark side of QAnon” (October 6, 2021): An in-depth investigation into Coleman’s life, his descent into QAnon, and interviews with friends and acquaintances. It provides significant background context.
2. PEOPLE Magazine, “Inside the ‘Perfect’ Family Shattered by QAnon” (September 22, 2021): This feature includes details from friends of both Matthew and Abby Coleman, offering insight into their relationship and the changes they observed.
3. The Daily Beast, “QAnon Dad Who Allegedly Killed Kids Was ‘Glued’ to Conspiracy Sites, Friend Says” (August 13, 2021): One of the earlier pieces detailing Coleman’s obsession with conspiracy content from the perspective of those who knew him.
4. Associated Press, “QAnon-believing father accused of killing kids must be medicated” (May 1, 2024): Reports on the ongoing legal battle regarding the government’s request to forcibly medicate Coleman to restore his competency for trial.

Academic and Psychological Resources

1. Jolley, D., & Douglas, K. M. (2014). The social, political, and psychological consequences of conspiracy theories: A review. In The Psychology of Conspiracy (pp. 24–45). Palgrave Macmillan. This provides a foundational overview of the psychological needs that conspiracy theories can fulfill.
2. van Prooijen, J. W. (2018). The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories. Routledge. A comprehensive book that covers the cognitive biases (pattern-seeking, proportionality bias) and personality traits (schizotypy, paranoia) that make individuals susceptible to conspiracy theories.
3. Borum, R. (2021). Radicalization into Violent Extremism. American Psychological Association. While not exclusively about conspiracies, this work outlines the psychological and social factors that contribute to radicalization, many of which are present in the Coleman case.
4. Laqueur, W. (2004). No End to War: Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century. Continuum. In his work on terrorism, Laqueur discusses the concept of “lethal narratives” and how ideologies, including conspiracy theories, can motivate violence by dehumanizing victims.

Resources for Families

1. International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA): Provides resources and support for families of individuals involved in cults and high-demand groups, many of which use conspiratorial thinking.
2. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Offers support and information for families dealing with a loved one’s severe mental illness, including psychosis and paranoia. They provide guidance on navigating the mental health system and offer crisis intervention services.

Originally published at https://joniejohnstonpsyd.substack.com.