Dynasty Star Catherine Oxenberg’s Desperate Fight to Save Daughter From Alleged Cult Nxivm

In a story that sounds more like a dramatic screenplay than real life, Hollywood actress Catherine Oxenberg, renowned for her role in the iconic soap opera ‘Dynasty’, has publicly shared her harrowing ordeal. The 56-year-old star claims her beloved 26-year-old daughter, India Oxenberg, has fallen under the influence of a highly controversial group known as Nxivm (pronounced NEX-i-um), which allegedly subjects its female members to alarming practices including starvation and branding.

“I’m helpless,” a heartbroken Catherine Oxenberg confided to PEOPLE magazine. Her voice heavy with anguish, she added, “I’ve lost my child and will do whatever I can to get her back.” This isn’t a plot twist from an old episode of Dynasty; it’s the grim reality facing Catherine as she desperately tries to reclaim her daughter from what she describes as a dangerous and manipulative organization. India’s involvement with Nxivm’s “self-improvement program” began in 2011, steadily escalating over the years. What started as participation in costly classes soon spiraled into a deeper commitment, involving the recruitment of her own friends into the group and ultimately, a permanent relocation to Nxivm’s main headquarters in Albany, New York.

The Slow Burn of Suspicion: Catherine’s Initial Unease

For years, Catherine harbored deep reservations about Nxivm. She recalls finding the group “weird and creepy,” but out of respect for her adult daughter’s choices, she largely held her tongue. Her concern, however, simmered beneath the surface, growing with each passing year India spent immersed in the organization’s teachings and activities. The financial strain of the increasingly expensive classes was evident, as was the increasing distance, both geographical and emotional, between mother and daughter. It wasn’t until a critical intervention from a trusted friend and former Nxivm member that Catherine realized the true gravity of India’s situation.

That turning point came when 34-year-old Bonnie Piesse, an ex-Nxivm member, reached out to Catherine with an urgent and terrifying plea. “You need to save your daughter,” Bonnie implored Catherine. “You need to save India.” Bonnie’s words were a chilling confirmation of Catherine’s worst fears, but the details that followed were far more sinister than anything she could have imagined. Bonnie revealed the existence of a “secret sisterhood” within Nxivm, an inner-circle known as DOS (Dominus Obsequious Sororium), which translated means “master over obedient female companions.” This revelation painted a disturbing picture of control and manipulation.

Unveiling the Dark Secrets: Branding and Alleged Abuse within Nxivm’s DOS

Bonnie’s revelations brought to light the shocking claims surrounding this clandestine group. Women recruited into DOS were allegedly coerced into participating in a horrific branding ritual. This procedure involved a hot cauterizing tool used to permanently etch what are believed to be the initials of Nxivm’s founder and leader, 57-year-old Keith Raniere, onto their skin. The graphic nature of this practice was corroborated by another former Nxivm member, Sarah Edmondson, 40, who bravely shared her own experience with PEOPLE. Sarah recounted the ordeal as “the most painful, traumatic moment of my life,” detailing how she was branded just below her hip, a permanent mark of her alleged allegiance.

The branding was not the only disturbing claim emerging from the former members of Nxivm and its secret sisterhood. Sarah Edmondson also reported encountering women within DOS who were allegedly instructed that their daily caloric intake was strictly limited to no more than 800 calories. This extreme dietary restriction, if true, points to a severe level of control over individuals’ bodies and minds, often seen in high-demand or cult-like environments. Bonnie Piesse, who last saw India in January 2017, further emphasized the dire situation India was in, recalling a chilling conversation: “One time she told me that she wasn’t going to eat for three days [out of] penance to try and correct her behavior.” Such confessions underscore the alleged psychological manipulation at play, where physical deprivation is used as a tool for perceived self-correction and loyalty.

A Mother’s Desperate Plea and India’s Alarming Decline

Armed with these terrifying insights from Bonnie, Catherine immediately reached out to India in April. During their conversation, India reportedly confided in her mother about alarming physical symptoms. “Mom, my hair has been falling out, and I haven’t had a period in a year. Maybe I should see a doctor?” India’s words were a stark confirmation of the severe physical toll the alleged 800-calorie diet and extreme practices were taking on her body. When Catherine confronted her daughter, who she described as “superskinny,” with her profound concerns and the alarming information she had received, India reportedly dismissed her mother’s worries. Tragically, the very next day, India returned to Albany, to the heart of Nxivm’s operations, and subsequently ceased all communication with her mother.

The communication blackout only intensified Catherine’s fears. In an attempt to reassure her mother and perhaps maintain an image of well-being, India reportedly sent a Facebook message on October 19. “I’m absolutely fine,” she wrote, adding, “Great actually. I would never put myself or the people I love into any danger.” While these words were intended to quell her mother’s fears, for Catherine, they only served to highlight the depth of the alleged indoctrination and the perceived disconnect from reality that her daughter was experiencing.

Nxivm’s Rebuttals and Troubling Past Investigations

Nxivm itself has largely remained silent in the face of these grave accusations, declining to respond directly to PEOPLE’s requests for comment. However, they vehemently denounced a recent New York Timesarticle that exposed similar allegations, branding it as a “criminal product of criminal minds.” This defensive posture, rather than addressing the specific claims, has only added to the skepticism surrounding the organization.

The current controversy is not the first time Nxivm and its founder, Keith Raniere, have faced intense scrutiny. For nearly two decades, an estimated 16,000 individuals have reportedly paid as much as $3,400 for what Nxivm touted as executive-coaching workshops, accumulating substantial wealth for the organization. Before establishing Nxivm, Keith Raniere founded a discount-buying club that was ultimately shut down. This earlier venture came under investigation by federal authorities following allegations that it operated as an illegal pyramid scheme. While Raniere maintained his innocence in that case, he eventually agreed to pay a monetary settlement, an incident that casts a long shadow over the current allegations against Nxivm.

Growing Scrutiny and the Fight for Justice

The mounting allegations of branding, starvation, and psychological coercion have not gone unnoticed by authorities. The New York State Governor’s Counsel has officially launched a review into Nxivm, signaling a significant step towards understanding the full scope of the group’s activities and potentially holding those responsible accountable. This governmental oversight brings a new layer of hope for families like the Oxenbergs who are desperately fighting to extricate their loved ones from what they believe to be a dangerous and exploitative environment.

Catherine Oxenberg’s courageous decision to speak out is a testament to a mother’s unwavering love and determination. Her story serves as a stark warning about the potential dangers lurking within organizations that promise self-improvement but allegedly employ coercive and abusive tactics. The battle to bring India home, and to expose the alleged abuses of Nxivm, is far from over, but Catherine’s public fight has brought much-needed attention to a deeply troubling situation.

What do you think about this ongoing and incredibly serious situation, HollywoodLifers? Share your thoughts on Catherine Oxenberg’s fight and the allegations against Nxivm.