Ted Kaczynski, the 'Unabomber,' Dies by Suicide in Prison at 81

Ted Kaczynski, the notorious 'Unabomber' who conducted a deadly mail bombing campaign over nearly two decades, died by suicide in his solitary cell in June 2023 at the age of 81. Kaczynski was found dead in his solitary cell at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, where he was serving four life sentences for his crimes.

According to the autopsy report, Kaczynski had been diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer in March 2021. Prison staff had noted that he appeared depressed about a month before his death. The official cause of death is pending the final autopsy results, but reports confirm that Kaczynski took his own life. Enough time had passed after his death for rigor mortis to set in before his body was discovered.

Kaczynski, a former mathematician, had moved to the remote town of Lincoln, Montana in 1971 and lived a self-sufficient lifestyle in a tiny cabin. He became the subject of an extensive FBI investigation for his nationwide mail bombing spree, which killed three people and injured 23 others between 1978 and 1995. Kaczynski targeted individuals he believed were advancing modern technology and causing environmental destruction.

In 1996, Kaczynski was arrested after his brother recognized his writing style in the 'Unabomber Manifesto,' a 35,000-word essay criticizing modern society and technology that was published in The Washington Post and The New York Times. He pleaded guilty to all charges in 1998 and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Why this matters: The death of Ted Kaczynski marks the end of a notorious chapter in American criminal history. His bombing campaign terrorized the nation for nearly two decades and sparked a massive FBI manhunt, raising questions about the motivations behind domestic terrorism and the societal impact of technology.

Kaczynski's suicide also raises concerns about the mental health support and monitoring provided to high-profile inmates serving life sentences. This is the second time Kaczynski attempted suicide, with reports indicating he had made a similar attempt months before his trial in 1998 and was subsequently placed on suicide watch. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will likely face scrutiny over whether Kaczynski's death could have been prevented, especially given his advanced age and terminal cancer diagnosis.

Key Takeaways

• Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, died by suicide in prison at age 81 in 2023.
• Kaczynski had stage 4 rectal cancer and was reportedly depressed before his death.
• Kaczynski conducted a deadly mail bombing campaign from 1978-1995, killing 3 and injuring 23.
• Kaczynski was arrested in 1996 after his brother recognized his writing in the Unabomber Manifesto.
• Kaczynski's suicide raises concerns about mental health support for high-profile inmates.