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Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, 81, found dead in prison cell; sources claim suicide

June 11, 2023 | | Print Article

Infamous anti-tech eco-terrorist Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski, aka the “Unabomber,” was found unresponsive in his cell at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina early Saturday morning, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

“Responding staff immediately initiated life-saving measures. Staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) and life-saving efforts continued. Mr. Kaczynski was transported by EMS to a local hospital and subsequently pronounced deceased by hospital personnel,” the bureau said in a statement reported by CNN.

According to three anonymous sources with spoke with The New York Times, Kaczynski allegedly died of suicide, though this remained officially unconfirmed as of Sunday morning.

Kaczynski, 81, had been serving eight life sentences without the possibility of a parole as per the terrorist attacks he committed between 1978 and 1995.

“A Harvard-trained mathematician, Kaczynski sent deadly handmade bombs by mail targeting those he believed were causing the destruction of nature through technological advancement,” according to Fox News.

These bombings killed three people and injured — sometimes severely — 23 others.

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Kaczynski’s motives were outlined in a 35,000-word manifesto titled “Industrial Society and Its Future” that he forced the mainstream media to publish in 1995.

That year, he sent a letter to the media claiming he’d cease his terror campaign if they’d simply publish his manifesto. Desperate to stop the unnecessary deaths, a number of major papers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, complied.

In the manifesto, Kaczynski excoriated technology, claiming that it was somehow destroying both the planet and society.

“The Industrial Revolution and its consequences have been a disaster for the human race. They have greatly increased the life-expectancy of those of us who live in ‘advanced’ countries, but they have destabilized society, have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world,” the first paragraph of the manifesto reads.

“The continued development of technology will worsen the situation. It will certainly subject human beings to greater indignities and inflict greater damage on the natural world, it will probably lead to greater social disruption and psychological suffering, and it may lead to increased physical suffering even in ‘advanced’ countries,” it continues.

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Incidentally, it was the forced publication of his memo that ultimately led to his downfall.

“Kaczynski’s brother, David, and David’s wife, Linda Patrik, recognized the treatise’s tone and tipped off the FBI, which had been searching for the Unabomber for years in nation’s longest, costliest manhunt,” according to the Associated Press.

“Authorities in April 1996 found him in a 10-by-14-foot (3-by-4-meter) plywood and tarpaper cabin outside Lincoln, Montana, that was filled with journals, a coded diary, explosive ingredients and two completed bombs,” the AP notes.

In lock-up, Kaczynski went on to be diagnosed as schizophrenic.

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“Mr. Kaczynski’s delusions are mostly persecutory in nature. The central themes involve his belief that he is being maligned and harassed by family members and modern society,” Dr. Sally Johnson reportedly wrote in a 47-page report.

He wasn’t pleased by the diagnosis.

“Kaczynski hated the idea of being viewed as mentally ill and when his lawyers attempted to present an insanity defense, he tried to fire them. When that failed, he tried to hang himself with his underwear. Kaczynski eventually pleaded guilty rather than let his defense team proceed with an insanity defense,” as reported by the AP.

Politically, Kaczynski expressed a mishmash of views, sometimes attacking technology like a leftist, but other times attacking leftists like a conservative.

Years later, he’s now viewed as a hero by some who appreciate his various criticisms. Indeed, following news of his death breaking Saturday, the words “Uncle Ted” began trending on Twitter in his honor:

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However, this praise for him also prompted pushback.

“If you are referring to this cold-blooded murderer as ‘Uncle Ted’ or ‘King’ then you are a part of the problem. Ted Kaczynski murdered 3 people and injured 23 throughout multiple decades. He was not even close to a good person,” popular liberal commentator Brian Krassenstein tweeted.

“He was a domestic terrorist who believed technology was leading to Americans suffering from a sense of alienation and powerlessness. While I do think technology has changed our way of life significantly, it will be technological progress that helps us in so many ways as we move forward,” he added.

Vivek Saxena
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