Dan Jordan: How Did He Die? Who Killed Him?

Over the years, the Church of the Lamb of God and its followers have faced intense scrutiny due to their connection to various criminal activities. One of the most prominent figures linked to the group is Daniel “Dan” Ben Jordan, known as the right-hand man of self-proclaimed prophet Ervil LeBaron. After Ervil’s downfall, Dan went on to lead one of the church’s splinter factions, maintaining the sect’s extreme ideologies. In Lifetime’s ‘The 13th Wife: Escaping Polygamy’ or ‘The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy,’ actor Matthew Harrison portrays Dan with striking nuance, capturing both the character’s mindset and the disturbing loyalty that defined his role within the cult. Along with the story of Ervil’s thirteenth wife, Rena, Dan’s story also becomes important.

Dan Jordan Was Leading His Own Religious Sect When He Passed Away

Daniel “Dan” Ben Jordan was born on May 20, 1934, in Baker City, Oregon. Not much is known about his early years, but eventually, he traveled to northern Mexico, where he became involved with The Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, which was led by Joel LeBaron. In the late 1960s, when Ervil LeBaron split from the church and established his own faction known as the Church of the Lamb of God, Dan chose to follow him. He fully believed in the principles and values promoted by Ervil and became one of his most trusted confidants. Dan served as his right-hand man and was a key figure in the organization and leadership of the religious sect.

Dan was married to three women within the church. His first wife was Elsa, the daughter of Marilu Vega, who was one of Ervil’s wives. His other two wives were Ramona and Faye Marston, daughters of Ervil and Anna Mae Marston. Some reports even claim that he married the two sisters on the same day. In 1972, when Ervil allegedly orchestrated a plot to murder Joel, Dan was reportedly one of the two individuals sent to carry out the attack. He was arrested for the crime a few years later, but due to a lack of evidence and witnesses, he had to be released. In 1976, reports surfaced claiming Dan had been killed in a gunfight; however, these reports were later proven false. At the time, authorities suspected that the news of his death had been fabricated to help him evade prosecution in connection with the murder.

Dan remained with the church until Ervil’s death in August 1981, after which he broke away and formed his own faction with a small group of followers. He reportedly relocated to Utah with his family and children, where he lived a low-profile life. By October 16, 1987, Dan was residing in Boulder, Colorado. On that day, he had taken several members of his family on a hunting trip to central Utah. During the trip, he was shot multiple times and died as a result. The police promptly launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the polygamist leader.

Dan Jordan’s Killer Could Not be Traced by the Police

The police immediately suspected that Dan’s murder may have been the result of a family feud. Statements made at the time indicated that there had been significant violence within the group since its formation, which only intensified following Ervil LeBaron’s death. Authorities believed that Dan’s killing could have stemmed from internal conflict. Some reports even suggest that Heber’s younger brother, Aaron LeBaron, had shown up at Dan’s doorstep in August 1977. However, Dan was reportedly wary, as he had allegedly received threats and feared for his life. He still took Aaron and some members of the church who had come from Mexico into his home.

On October 16, 1987, Dan reportedly went on a hunting trip with his family and was killed at a campground. While the police were unable to directly link the murder to any one individual, there was widespread speculation that a family member may have been responsible. Just a week later, authorities arrested Aaron for allegedly pulling a gun on Dan’s wife and children. He had alleged that he had been ordained by God and believed he held divine authority over them. To this day, Dan’s murder remains unsolved, but the broader pattern of criminal activity within the sect offers a clearer context for the circumstances surrounding his death.