John Todd, also known as Lance Collins, was a controversial figure who claimed to be a former member of a witchcraft coven before converting to Christianity. He gained notoriety in the 1970s and 1980s by speaking out against what he alleged was a Satanic conspiracy within the music industry and the Illuminati. However, his credibility was later called into question, and he faced various legal issues. Todd disappeared from the public eye in the late 1980s and reportedly died in a mental health facility in South Carolina in 2007.
John Todd emerged in the Christian evangelical scene during the 1970s, claiming to have been a member of the “Illuminati” and a practitioner of witchcraft before converting to Christianity. He toured churches and Christian groups, giving lectures about the supposed Satanic influences in society, particularly focusing on the music industry and the occult. Todd claimed that his birth name was Lance Collins and that he had been a member of a powerful witchcraft family before his conversion.
His stories about the Illuminati and witchcraft gained him a following among certain Christian groups who were concerned about the influence of the occult. Todd also produced a list of alleged Satanic songs and albums, which some Christian organizations used to promote boycotts of certain artists and record labels.
However, Todd’s background and the veracity of his claims were subjects of controversy. Investigations by journalists and researchers found inconsistencies in his stories, and there was little evidence to support his claims about the Illuminati or his involvement with them. His criminal record, which included charges of rape and desertion from the military, further damaged his credibility.
In the mid-1980s, Todd was convicted of the rape of a graduate student from the University of South Carolina. Following his conviction, he was incarcerated and largely faded from public view. According to some reports, he was later transferred to a mental health facility, where he is believed to have died in 2007. Despite his death, some of his conspiracy theories continue to circulate, particularly on the internet, where they have found a new audience.
