Luke Helder
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| Lucas John Helder | |
|---|---|
 Helder's FBI mugshot.
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| Born | May 5, 1981 Pine Island, Minnesota, U.S.A. |
| Penalty | incompetent to stand trial |
| Status | Committed to mental hospital |
| Occupation | student |
Lucas John Helder (born May 5, 1981) was a University of Wisconsin-Stout college student and Pine Island, Minnesota resident who earned notoriety as the Midwest Pipe Bomber of May, 2002.
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[edit] Bombings
Helder's plan was to plant pipe bombs in mailboxes across the United States to create a smiley face shape on the United States map. The bombs, which were packed with BBs and nails, were rigged to explode as the mailboxes were opened. Completed and rigged bombs were found in Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Iowa. In Iowa, six people, including four mail carriers, were injured when the bombs detonated.[1] Ultimately, Helder planted 18 bombs and covered 3,200 miles.[2] He was eventually captured in rural Nevada before he managed to complete the full smile. At the time of his arrest, police were looking for an unknown suspect driving around in a black Honda Accord and newspapers reported that he was wearing a Kurt Cobain T-Shirt.[3] The bombings were heavily covered by the United States media.
[edit] Writings and theories
While Helder wasn't at the top of his college class, his teachers described him as a reasonably good, quiet, and polite student and at first there was confusion as to what the motivation for the bombings could be.[2] Within the year prior to his arrest, Helder had become passionate about astral projection techniques and came to believe that death of the flesh and body is not the end of existence, as evidenced by the manifesto he sent to The Badger Herald of the University of Wisconsin-Madison at the beginning of the bombing spree.[2] The essay also includes sinister statements such as
I'm taking very drastic measure in attempt to provide this information to you... I will die/change in the end for this, but that's ok, hahaha paradise awaits! I'm dismissing a few individuals from reality, to change all of you for the better"[4][5]
and ends with the words "written before any of the bombs".[4]
It later came to light that his actions were an attempt to garner media attention so that he could spread a message denouncing government control over daily lives and the illegality of marijuana as well as promoting astral projection as a method to reach a higher level of consciousness.[2]
[edit] Trial
In April 2004, a federal judge found Helder incompetent to stand trial.[6] While the judge could free Helder if doctors find he is not a threat to society, legal experts doubt this possibility due to the violent nature of his crimes. Luke Helder, inmate #36460-048, remains in the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minnesota.[7]
[edit] Musical background
Prior to his bombing spree, Helder was a member of a Rochester, Minnesota three-piece grunge band named Apathy. Even though the band was only successful on a local scale, they recorded a CD named "Sacks of People" at the end of their first summer together which they funded and released themselves.
When the news broke that Helder was the pipe bomber, the media made significant mention of his status as a musician.[8] Many music critics scrambled to acquire copies of Apathy's CD, some of which were auctioned on Ebay for as much as $200. Material from an interview with Apathy bassist Eric Hielscher was even included in a Rolling Stone article on Helder.[citation needed]
[edit] References
- ^ 2002 Annual Report of Investigations: Violent Crime. USPS Website (2002). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ a b c d Reaves, Jessica. "Person of the Week: Lucas Helder." Time May 9, 2002 [1]
- ^ Dad aids son's capture. Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire Press Company (2002). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ a b Helder, Lucas. "Life on Earth." [2]
- ^ Lagorio, Christine. "News Analysis: Newspapers receipt of shady mail a daily occurrence." The Badger Herald May 10, 2002
- ^ Van Hyfte, Vanessa (2004). Helder not fit to stand trial. WQAD Report. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ Experts say mailbox bomb suspect unlikely to be freed soon. WQAD Report (04/06/2004). Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
- ^ Feldman, Charles (May 9, 2002). Feds: Suspect admitted pipe bomb spree.. CNN.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-17.
