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.

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.

Writings and theories

Helder performing with Apathy in his hometown of Pine Island, Minnesota.

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]

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]

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]

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.

References

External links

• Timeline of Helder's news
• The Smoking Gun archive on Luke Helder, with the six-page manifesto