Doomsday book author is one of missing; Book pulled

One of four people who vanished from the south west town of Nannup nine months ago is the author of a book predicting the end of the world, the book’s publisher says.

Brett Mitchell, owner of Esoteric Publishing which published Servers of the Divine Plan, says Englishman Simon Kadwill, 45, wrote the book prophesising the birth of a new world of higher consciousness following the end of a 75,000-year cycle.

The book promotes itself as a guide for “servers” to prepare themselves as the globe heads towards an imminent “Great Transition” from darkness into light.

Mr Kadwill, Chantelle McDougall, 27, from Victoria and the pair’s six-year-old daughter Leela, along with their housemate Antonio Popic, 40, have been missing since July.

In a statement on his website today, Mr Mitchell confirmed Mr Kadwill was the author of Servers of the Divine Plan and said the book would be immediately pulled from publication.

“I am shocked to hear the news of the disappearance of Chantelle McDougall and her family,” Mr Mitchell said in the statement.

“I extend my deepest sympathy to the McDougall family and I really do hope that everyone is found soon.

“I am also dismayed to see the book Servers of the Divine Plan linked to a ‘doomsday cult’.

“This publishing house was founded to help people find their own way to truth, not to support cults and other fanaticism.

“I am removing the book from publication immediately.”

Mr Popic’s brother, Joe, today said Mr Kadwill introduced his brother and the others to the book.

The four were living in WA’s south-western town of Nannup before Ms McDougall told her mother in Victoria they were going on a holiday to Brazil.

They have not been seen since.

The three adults’ bank accounts have not been touched since they vanished and immigration checks showed they had not left the country.

Police yesterday appealed for public help in solving the mystery of their disappearance, but said they did not believe there had been foul play.

Mr Mitchell told AAP he did not know where Mr Kadwill and the others were.

“I have no idea whatsoever where they may be,” he said via email.

“To my knowledge there is no commune of any kind, anywhere, related to this.”

Counter-cult group, Concerned Christian Ministries’ director Adrian Van Leen said he had become aware Mr Kadwill was the author of the book but he did not believe he had formed a cult.

“Why he’s disappeared is anybody’s guess at this stage,” Mr Van Leen said.

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