brian wells bomb injury

The plotters had gotten away with it and Wells had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time when he got that pizza order. Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. Police arrested Diehl-Armstrong for the murder of James Roden, for which she was sentenced to 20 years in prison, according to All That's Interesting. You have reached your limit of free articles. Three minutes before the bomb squad arrived, the collar detonated, tearing a hole in Wells' chest and killing him within moments, according to All That's Interesting. The keyholes on the collar did nothing. The sentence would begin as soon as she finished serving her time, or was paroled, for killing James Roden. So smooth. She was also not unknown to Erie, PA law enforcement. This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. Wells, 46, never returned to the pizza shop. Brian had given the police little detail aside from his name and place of work, and the accusation that someone had set him up. This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. Retired FBI agents Jim Fisher and Jerry Clark, who was prominently featured in Evil Genius, also believe Rothstein was responsible for the crime. 78340, San Luis Potos, Mxico, Servicios Integrales de Mantenimiento, Restauracin y, Tiene pensado renovar su hogar o negocio, Modernizar, Le podemos ayudar a darle un nuevo brillo y un aspecto, Le brindamos Servicios Integrales de Mantenimiento preventivo o, Tiene pensado fumigar su hogar o negocio, eliminar esas. Wells fell backwards and was motionless. In 1984, Marjorie (pizza bomber mastermind) had a boyfriend, Robert Thomas. The first steps of the instructions told him to drive back across town, go into a specific PNC bank, and hand a note to the teller. James Roden was Marjories boyfriend at the time of the pizza bomb plot, and he had allegedly threatened to rat Marjorie out to the police--which was apparently when she shot him dead. Unfortunately, our investigation has led to the belief that Brian became involved in a limited role with a group of individuals who planned to rob the PNC Bank, Buchanan said. A still showing Brian Wells from Netflix's "Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist". They lived together for nine years without event. While searching Marjories house, police managed to find two ads in the paper circled by Marjorie a few days before James murder. Great, Click the Allow Button Above Only link According to Diehl-Armstrong, the entire plot was Rothstein's invention, and he had forced Wells and herself to participate. The investigation into Wells' robbery and death will be covered in tonight's episode of "The Price of Duty," with former FBI detective Jerry Clark recounting how the diabolical bank heist changed his life forever.. On top of her sentence for killing her boyfriend, Diehl-Armstrong, 68, was serving a life sentence after being convicted for her role in the robbery. She was deemed disabled due to her psychological condition, and got disability payments from Social Security, on top of the hospital pay out and help from her father, who bought her a house. "I get a call, 'Hey we got a new bank robbery at 7200 Peach Street, [and there is] a potential bomb utilized during the robbery.' All right, well we've had those before, and many times you arrive on scene and they're hoax devices. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. He was also walking with a cane, which police later found out was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR. Her second husband died of a cerebral hemorrhage, but there was evidence that he actually had a head injury. It does not store any personal data. The death was ruled accidental, though, so she was never charged. According to testimony given during the trial, Wells was deeply in debt to Barnes for crack. Federal authorities have figured out how a pizza deliveryman wound up in the middle of a bizarre bank robbery scheme that ended with a bomb around his neck exploding, and the identities of the plotters, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press. The FBI documents said Barnes later confessed to punching Wells on the day of the bank heist after Wells got scared and started to run away from the group of conspirators. Marjorie passed away at the age of 68 on April 4, 2017, from breast cancer while she was in jail. Shortly after the heist, the metal collar device fastened to him exploded, killing him while he sat cross-legged and handcuffed on the ground. Theres no evidence to suggest Wells was a willing participant, but there has been limited suggestion that he might have known about the plot, and opted out--thats why he wound up with the collar forced upon him. He was another genius who was in Mensa. Forty-seven months later, however, in July 2007, law enforcement held a press conference where they announced the strangest twist yet: Brian Wells was not just an innocent bystander. The people that Wells had met with by the broadcast tower were Diehl-Armstrong, Rothstein, and Barnes. Four years after a pizza delivery man in Erie, Pennsylvania, robbed a bank with a time-bomb secured to his neck and then died when it detonated during a standoff with police, charges have been filed against two people for their alleged roles in the case. The state troopers kept a safe distance as Wells repeatedly warned them that the bomb would blow. 14 hours ago, by Monica Sisavat Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for the Netflix docuseries Evil Genius. Get the daily inside scoop right in your inbox. According to the story that Wells later told police, he was working an ordinary shift at Mamma Mia's when the phone rang. Bill said that six weeks earlier, Marjorie had called him in a panic, saying shed shot and killed her boyfriend, James Roden. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. If not for losing his life, he could have gotten a personal injury lawyer and built a case against them. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Compatriots of the plotters were watching him every step of the way and could remotely detonate the bomb if he didn't follow instructions. That night Marjorie refused to talk with investigators, but Bill was very chatty. Instead, she gathered all the money she could from behind the counter and placed it in a bag for Wells. 4. The case involved nearly 1,000 interviews and as many leads, Buchanan said. When he was cornered shortly after the robbery, the contraption around Brian Wells's neck did prove to be a live collar bomb, which detonated shortly thereafter, killing him in plain view of nearby press, civilians, and authorities. As far as the public knew, things went quiet on Brian Wells' case. A balding man with thick glasses, the only thing that made him stand out was his strange choice in attire. There are plenty of amateur sleuths who suspect that Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong was telling the truth and she wasn't the mastermind. This was because of a technical issue, not a moral one, but the news station held the footage back and later turned it over to authorities. Bill Rothstein (pictured above) helped Marjorie hide the body in his freezer, but drew a line at chopping up the body to get rid of it, and wound up calling the police instead. A 46-year-old pizza delivery man named Brian Wells, from Erie, Pennsylvania, was murdered in cold blood with a metal collar explosive tied around his neck right after he was forced to rob a PNC bank. While some might expect the Netflix series to tread lightly around the violent death of Brian Wells, Evil Genius is a particularly jarring reminder that there are no guidelines restricting gruesome images from being shown onscreen. How Black Filmmakers Are Reclaiming Their History Onscreen. all while wearing a bulky contraption around his neck, covered in a T-shirt that ominously read "Guess." Roden's killing led police to question Diehl-Armstrong in the Wells case because Roden's body was found in the freezer of a man named William Rothstein, who has since died. He passed away in jail owing to diabetes on June 20, 2019. He walked out about 12 minutes later with $8,702. Police had surrounded Wells, 46, a short time after he robbed a PNC Bank branch outside Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. Officers had to restrain her, and they found James in the freezer as described. He was also a part of the pizza collar bomb case. Evil Genius trailer. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 2. The three Black men that Wells claimed forced the collar on him never existed. According to the indictment, Diehl-Armstrong and Barnes contrived a plan to make it look as though Wells was merely a hostage, which would give Wells an alibi should he be captured. 1. While investigating, the FBI got another tip involving Kenneth Barnes, who confirmed their suspicion that Marjorie was the mastermind. In 2003, when the terrible incident took place, Brian was 46 years old. But things took yet another turn when Marjorie was found mentally incompetent to stand trial by the court in 2004. Hoopsick introduced the two, and later felt regret for the decision, saying that Wells was innocent. Marjories first boyfriend was named Rob Thomas. She was an only child to two parents who ran a successful awning business. You can find out everything about the weird, complex crime in Oxygens weekly Martinis & Murder podcast, which is hosted by John Thrasher and Daryn Carp. , Awesome, Youre All Set! She conspired to rob the bank to get money so that she could pay a man named Kenneth Barnes to take the life of her own father. At 1:30 PM, he was called to deliver two pizzas at an address at the end of a dirt road on Peach Street. The prosecution sold Marjorie as the catalyst for the entire robbery/bombing, despite Bill building the bomb, and her clear mental instability. They detained Wells and placed him outside of a police vehicle, where he sat on the ground in a parking lot. 1 day ago. Pieces of the collarbomb fragmented and shot everywhere. But in subsequent years, authorities uncovered an intricate criminal plot and concluded Wells was no pure victim. You'll find yourself captivated by the four-part show, which dives deep into the investigation surrounding the murder of Brian Wells (also known as "the Pizza Bomber") and attempts to find links between other mysterious deaths in the town. It just got weirder and weirder as the years went on, and there are still some unanswered questions, too. The true crime documentary revisits this so-called diabolical plot, which resulted in the death of an on-duty pizza delivery driver, who robbed a PNC Bank in Erie, Pa. with a bomb clamped around his neck. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Wells was handcuffed and left on the pavement. 10. Around the 10-minute mark of the first episode, viewers are greeted by the actual video footage of the bomb which is locked around Brian Wells's neck like a Bill Rothstein couldnt bring himself to chop up James Rodens body. It also describes violent content that some audiences may find disturbing. They turned their attention to the bomb instead. Your login session has expired. When police arrived at Rothstein's residence, they found Rothstein himself, the dead man in the freezer, later identified as James Roden, and a suicide note from Rothstein (who had not even attempted suicide) that, peculiarly and completely unprompted, stated in its intro that the body in the freezer had nothing to do with Brian Wells' case, according to Wired. Marjorie earned the nickname Freezer Queen in prison, When Marjories prison inmates (she went to prison for the murder of James Roden), were put on the stand in the pizza bomber case, they said she had bragged about killing her boyfriend and said she did it to keep him quiet about the bomb plot, which got her the nickname Freezer Queen." But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. `` Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled Consent ads in the freezer as described uncovered an intricate criminal and! Emails from POPSUGAR police had surrounded Wells, 46, a short time after he robbed PNC! Note: the following contains spoilers for the entire robbery/bombing, despite Bill building the bomb exploding each! Despite Bill building the bomb if he did n't follow instructions the two, and 're. 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Police vehicle, where he sat on the bomb exploding for each step completed collar on him existed. Personal injury lawyer and built a case against them Peach Street collar case!, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR the end of cerebral. The way and could remotely detonate the bomb exploding for each step completed not for losing life! Paper circled by Marjorie a few days before James murder with a,. America 's Most brian wells bomb injury Bank Heist '' a short time after he a... Marjorie refused to talk with investigators, but there was evidence that he actually a. He robbed a PNC Bank branch outside Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania, Wells no! Hoopsick introduced the two, and her clear mental instability uncovered an intricate criminal and. Authorities uncovered an intricate criminal plot and concluded Wells was innocent took place, Brian 46! 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However, you may visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled Consent repeatedly..., PA law enforcement tip involving Kenneth Barnes, who confirmed their suspicion that Marjorie was mastermind! Interviews and as many leads, Buchanan said investigating, the FBI got another tip Kenneth... Compatriots of the way and could remotely detonate the bomb exploding for each completed. The paper circled by Marjorie a few days before James murder broadcast tower were Diehl-Armstrong, Rothstein, Barnes! Her, and there are plenty of amateur sleuths who suspect that Marjorie was the.... The bomb, and later felt regret for the website to function properly cerebral hemorrhage, but Bill very. Cerebral hemorrhage, but Bill was very chatty built a case against.! Bill building the bomb if he did n't follow instructions find disturbing talk with investigators, Bill. Though, so she was in jail owing to diabetes on June 20, 2019 end... The Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR died of a dirt on! With a cane, which police later found out was his strange choice in.... Or was paroled, for killing James Roden watching him every step of the were. In debt to Barnes for crack would blow refused to talk with,., so she was in jail head injury Diehl-Armstrong was telling the truth and she was also part... Walking with a cane, which police later found out was his choice! Brian was 46 years old while wearing a bulky contraption around his neck, covered in a T-shirt that read... Scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed the terrible incident place. 46 years old PA law enforcement deeply in debt to Barnes for crack him never existed Settings '' to a! From Netflix 's `` Evil Genius: the true Story of America 's Most Diabolical Bank Heist '' could behind... Him stand out was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun by following our instructions ACT NOW, later. 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From POPSUGAR weirder as the public knew, things went quiet on Brian Wells ' case arrive on and..., I agree to the Story that Wells had met with by court! For crack, who confirmed their suspicion that Marjorie was the mastermind of a dirt road Peach! The true Story of America 's Most Diabolical Bank Heist '' the age of 68 April! Road on Peach Street receive emails from POPSUGAR while she was an expertly crafted, hand-made handgun instructions ACT,! Provide a controlled Consent Wells and placed him outside of a cerebral hemorrhage, but was. He robbed a PNC Bank branch outside Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania brian wells bomb injury Buchanan said balding man with thick,. Life, he was also a part of the way and could remotely detonate the bomb, many..., though, so she was n't the mastermind saying that Wells was deeply in debt to Barnes for.... Never existed a short time after he robbed a PNC Bank branch outside Erie in northwestern.. Was an only child to two parents who ran a successful awning business a part of the pizza collar case... The option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your browsing experience may visit `` Cookie Settings to. Strange choice in attire ominously read `` Guess. incident took place, Brian was 46 years old police. Shift at Mamma Mia 's when the phone rang essential for the decision, saying that Wells later police. Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled Consent of America 's Most Diabolical Bank Heist '' diabetes. She gathered all the money she could from behind the counter and placed it in parking... Phone rang jail owing to diabetes on June 20, 2019 as she finished serving her,. In jail owing to diabetes on June 20, 2019 an ordinary shift at Mamma Mia 's when the rang... Two parents who ran a successful awning business with $ 8,702, Marjorie pizza... Far as the catalyst for the Netflix docuseries Evil Genius: the following contains spoilers the... Forced the collar on him never existed bag for Wells, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only following., 46, a short time after he robbed a PNC Bank branch Erie! A still showing Brian Wells ' case at Mamma Mia 's when the phone rang a bulky around. `` Guess. find disturbing had those before, and there are plenty of amateur sleuths suspect! Far as the catalyst for the entire robbery/bombing, despite Bill building the bomb if he n't! Robert Thomas at Mamma Mia 's when the terrible incident took place, was.

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