Sex Cult Horror! NXIVM Victim Recalls Flesh Being 'Seared Open' With 'Hot Iron'
May 21 2018, Updated 4:48 p.m. ET
In a never-before-seen video exclusively obtained by RadarOnline.com, former NXIVM sex cult member Sarah Edmondson describes the torturous moment she was branded with leader Keith Raniere's initials on her crotch.
In the clip from A&E Investigates' new special, Cults and Extreme Belief, Edmondson ripped the lid off of the group's sickest secrets. She walked host Elizabeth Vargas through the twisted initiation ritual, which began in a "tiny little guest room" with a medical table.
"We were told to take off our clothes and the first woman laid down on the table," Edmondson recalled. "We were all pawns for Keith and his perverted fantasy."
What happened next was the opposite of what the women were expecting to receive: new tattoos.
"The point they said of the whole branding is to do something character building to experience your body as separate from yourself so that you can do anything,"Edmondson said.
Instead, Edmondson said a device was used to cut open her skin. The branding procedure was not a simple stamp process as many assume, she said.
"I don't think people can imagine what it's like to have your skin seared open by a hot cauterizing iron for 40 or 45 minutes," Edmondson said.
As tears filled her eyes, Edmondson remembered "weeping and crying, twisting and turning."
"Everything in my body was saying get the f**k out of here," she added.
The torture had just begun for Edmondson. A&E showed a photo of Edmondson's body showing the bumpy red lines.
"There's this whole description of what all the lines meant," Edmondson explained. "But really, it was Keith's initials. I have Keith's initials on my crotch."
Vargas asked what Edmondson would say to Raniere if she had the opportunity.
"I would say that he messed with the wrong person," the former member said.
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Raniere is facing sex trafficking charges while being held in jail without bail.
Smallville actress Allison Mack faces the same charges for allegedly recruiting women to the cult. She reportedly threatened slaves into having sex with the cult leader. She faces sex trafficking charges and is currently under house arrest.
The two are expected to appear in court June 13.
The two-night premiere airs on Monday, May 28 and Tuesday, May 29 on A&E.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.
