Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 4, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On May 4, 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, California, under a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty.
For 20 years, the American mathematics prodigy turned disgruntled recluse, on his own timetable, terrorized the nation with mail bombs that killed three and injured 23 others from 1978 to 1995.
Some of the deadly bombs were mailed from Utah locations. A few of his victims were injured in Salt Lake City, in 1981 and in 1987. One, Gary Wright, became friends with David Kaczynski, the bomber’s brother.
They even toured together in 2005 to stress the importance of forgiveness, in this thoughtful piece by the Deseret News’ Elaine Jarvik:
“Bomber’s brother, victim stress forgiveness”
Some of the Deseret News coverage from that time:
“Did Kaczynski pattern his life after Thoreau?”
“‘Unabomber’ Ted Kaczynski found dead in prison cell at 81 years old”
“Kaczynski’s simple lifestyle in Montana mountains coincided well with his anti-technology views”
“1969 decision to leave Berkeley is a mystery even today”
Kaczynksi died by suicide in a North Carolina prison on June 10, 2023.