Teddy Joseph Von Nukem
American white nationalist (1987–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Teddy Joseph Von Nukem (born Ted Landrum, November 23, 1987 – January 30, 2023) was an American white nationalist and far-right activist noted for his role at the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
November 23, 1987
Teddy Joseph Von Nukem | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ted Landrum November 23, 1987 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. |
| Died | January 30, 2023 (aged 35) Hartshorn, Missouri, U.S. |
Cause of death | Suicide by gunshot |
| Known for | White nationalism |
| Children | 5 |
In March 2021, Von Nukem admitted to attempted drug smuggling after being arrested at the Mexico–United States border. He failed to show up for a January 30, 2023, court appearance in Arizona, and died from a self-inflicted gunshot injury the same day.
Early life
Nukem was born Ted Landrum on November 23, 1987, in Phoenix, Arizona.[1][2][3] He was of German heritage and attended middle school in Lebanon, Missouri.[4][5] One of his former classmates remembered him as a "smart 'token goth kid' and 'highly intelligent' history buff with an unsettling interest in Nazi Germany".[5]
Adult life
Von Nukem was a far-right extremist and a white nationalist who changed his name to that of video-game character Duke Nukem in 2012.[6] A photograph of him holding a tiki torch at the Unite the Right rally became the image that was most commonly used to represent the 2017 right-wing protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.[5] In the photograph he stands next to a screaming man who was later identified as University of Nevada student Peter Cvjetanovic.[5] Journalist Molly Conger identified Von Nukem as part of a mob that assaulted DeAndre Harris, a Black counter-protester, at the Charlottesville event.[7][8][9]
Nukem owned a sales training company, AnCap Incorporated (a portmanteau of anarcho-capitalism), and aspired to be a Member of Congress.[5][9]
Nukem was arrested near the Mexico–United States border at Lukeville Port of Entry in March 2021;[9] U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents said he had 14 packages containing 33 pounds of fentanyl in his vehicle.[2][10] Von Nukem admitted attempting to smuggle drugs, but denied knowledge that the product was fentanyl.[8]
He failed to attend a scheduled Arizona District Court appearance on January 30, 2023, prompting judge Rosemary Márquez to issue an arrest warrant.[4][9] He was facing federal charges.[11] Within one hour, his wife telephoned the court to inform them of an emergency at the Von Nukem family home after finding his body in the snow behind a hay shed.[2][4][12] The case was dismissed on February 10, 2023.[4]
Von Nukem was married with four daughters and a son, and resided in Hartshorn, Missouri.[2][7] He was a supporter of libertarianism and believed that "white people are disadvantaged in the arena of identity politics."[6][5]
Death
Von Nukem killed himself at his home in Missouri on January 30, 2023.[9][8] His death occurred on the same day he was due to stand trial for drug-related criminal charges.[8] He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a handgun.[12] He was aged 35 at the time of his death.[9]
Marie Lasater, the Texas County coroner, confirmed his death was suicide.[11]
