After murdering his wife, Hersch (sick with regret) sought to end his own life, when he was struck by a bolt of lightning.

Over the subsequent years he operated as the cult leader "Cicada", accumulating many followers planning for the day he would resurrect his wife.

Cicada's cult followers were dedicated to use lightning bolt shaped daggers to murder every one that the Flash has ever saved.

[5] Cicada has the ability to steal the life-force of other living beings and use it to prolong his own life and regenerate physical damage.

David Hersch carries two hilted blades capable of absorbing the life force of its victims and resurrecting the dead.