It’s been nearly 28 years since the FBI arrested the domestic terrorist known as the “Unabomber.” Unsurprisingly, it remains a subject of interest for people around the world. This case stands out from others because of the highly intelligent mastermind behind the crimes and the struggle law enforcement faced in apprehending the culprit.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum is opening a new temporary exhibit titled “Evil Intelligence: The Making of the Unabomber,” which will run from December 15, 2023, through April 19, 2024, and will be a part of the regular admission fee.
This exhibit will include information about how Theodore Kaczynski became a criminal, the timeline of his crimes, and how he was caught. The exhibit will also include information about the many people who investigated the case over the years, trying to solve the mystery that terrorized the nation. Artifacts that will be on display include Unabomber passport photos, handwritten documents from his cabin, and saws that he used.
For 17 years, Kaczynski mailed or delivered homemade bombs to people around the country, all of which he hand-constructed in his Montana cabin. The FBI tried to figure out who was behind the crimes for years, but they were unsuccessful until there was a major break in the case. Kaczynski anonymously mailed a 35,000-word manifesto, claiming responsibility for the crimes and saying the attacks would end if the manifesto was published. The government allowed The Washington Post to publish the document, hoping that someone would recognize the author. They struck pay dirt when several leads pointed to Kaczynski, including one from his brother, who provided the FBI with additional writing samples. After determining that Kaczynski was the Unabomber, they moved to arrest him in Montana. The Unabomber’s crime spree left three people dead and two dozen more injured.