Exclusive Brethren Suicide - Bevan Malcolm

Bevan Malcolm had trained as a school teacher but, as demanded by the cult, he now ran his own business - a small garden supplies shop selling glasshouses and equipment. Bevan provided well for his family and was a respected businessman in the small town of Timaru. The family purchased a large house and Bevan kindly built a small flat onto the house to accommodate an elderly spinster who required some assistance with everyday living.

As time passed, Bevan was elevated to a leading role and even attended the Bristol 3-day meetings for several years running. On his return from these annual events, he would always bring little gifts back for all the children in Timaru ... there were then approximately 20 children in the community.

Over the course of time, several other families were also asked to migrate. One was Alistair Suckling and his wife Carolyn - several years later John Brewerton and his wife Janice also settled in Timaru.

Quite unexpectedly, on February 23rd 1980, Bevan was 'shut-up' (Exclusive Brethren 'shunning'). Apparently he had made a public comment on the Aberdeen incident many years previously and had not confessed that he held an opinion other than the acceptable Brethren version. It is believed that these comments 'came to light' when the Brethren were converting data from an old recording system onto newer recording technology and his 'unacceptable comments' were discovered.