Born Vernon Wayne Howell (August 17, 1959 – April 19, 1993), David Koresh was the leader of the Branch Davidians religious sect, believing himself to be the final prophet. A 1993 raid by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and subsequent siege by the FBI ended with the burning of the Branch Davidian ranch. Koresh, 53 adults (including two pregnant women) and 21 children died in the fire.