A former Gainesville, Florida, mayoral candidate, who had been missing for months, has been arrested in connection with the brutal stabbing death of a member of a religious sect in Tennessee.
Adam Arthur Rosenthal, 39, was taken into custody after the body of Darren Gambrel, in his early 30s, was discovered on a farm in Pulaski, Tennessee, on November 26, 2024.
Gambrel, who had been a member of The Twelve Tribes religious community for several years, was found fatally stabbed multiple times by members of the group, according to Giles County Sheriff Joe Purvis.
Rosenthal, who had recently joined the sect, had been reported missing earlier this year, last seen outside a bar in Gainesville, Florida, in April 2024.
He had been listed as missing under the National Crime Information Center before emerging as a suspect in Gambrel’s death.
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The Twelve Tribes, a controversial religious group that has faced scrutiny for its practices, operates several farms worldwide, including the one where Gambrel’s body was found.
Purvis described Gambrel as a beloved member of the group, adding that his death has devastated his fellow sect members.
“He was an outstanding member of the community for six or seven years,” Purvis said, emphasizing the emotional toll on those who knew him.
Authorities are investigating whether Rosenthal may have been involved in other serious crimes across multiple states, but details remain unclear.
Sheriff Purvis expressed concern, calling Rosenthal a “genuinely dangerous man.”
Rosenthal, who ran for mayor of Gainesville in 2022, campaigned on issues like environmental sustainability and compassionate city policies.
However, his connection to the murder of Gambrel casts a dark shadow over his political ambitions.
Rosenthal has been charged with criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence. As of now, it remains unclear whether he has entered a plea or secured legal representation.