In 1978 , 909 people were led to mass murder - suicide by Rev . Jim Jones . What is left of Jonestown today ? One - third of the dead at Jonestown were black ; only five people survived . Jones was a self - proclaimed minister and phony faith healer from the South . Unlike his followers , Jones was shot in the head , probably by a trusted friend .
In 1978 , 909 people were led to mass murder - suicide by Rev . Jim Jones . One - third of the dead at Jonestown were black ; only five people survived . Jones was a self - proclaimed minister and phony faith healer from the South . Unlike his followers , Jones was shot in the head , probably by a trusted friend .