Unabomber

Unabomber News History

Copyright 1993 Gannett Company, Inc.

USA TODAY

October 7, 1993, Thursday, FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 3A

LENGTH: 394 words

HEADLINE: $ 1 million for clues to 'unabomber'

BYLINE: Sam Vincent Meddis

BODY:

Federal authorities Wednesday offered a $ 1 million reward for information that helps catch the elusive "unabomber" who has killed one person and injured 23 others since 1978.

"We do not have any viable suspects at this time and we need the public's help," said George Clow, who heads an FBI task force of 45.

The "unabomber" - so named because two of his targets are universities and airlines - has been linked to 14 bombings since 1978.

Clow said a psychological profile indicates that the bomber, who last struck this summer, will attack again.

Investigators Wednesday said they believe a mysterious note with the inscription "Call Nathan R Wed 7 PM" could have been written by the bomber to himself.

Investigators did not say where or how the note was found. Authorities hope "Nathan" or someone who knows him will come forward.

The bomber is believed to have made the call to "Nathan" in June, the same month two mail bombs exploded in California and Connecticut.

The bomber's targets have included university professors and others associated with the airline and computer industries. But no clear motive has emerged.

The most recent bombs were mailed June 18 from Sacramento to professors.

On June 22, Charles Epstein, a geneticist at the University of California at San Francisco lost several fingers when a mail bomb exploded at his home in Tiburon, Calif. Two days later, Yale computer scientist David Gelernter was gravely injured when a letter or package exploded as he opened it in his office.

The sole death linked to the bomber occurred in December 1985 when Hugh Scrutton, 38, picked up a bomb at his computer store.

On June 21, a letter claiming a group was responsible for bombs was mailed from Sacramento to The New York Times. Investigators are treating the letter as authentic; it bore the same initials - "FC" that have been found on some of the bombs.

The bomber is "acting out something," said Clow. An FBI profile suggests the bomber is:

A white male, single or divorced, in his late 40s or early 50s.

Neat and meticulous - someone who may appear to be a "nice guy" except for a macabre sense of humor.

The government has contributed $ 450,000 of the reward money; $ 550,000 was pledged by unidentified private donors. A federal toll-free number for tips: 1-800-701-BOMB. All information will be confidential. GRAPHIC: PHOTO, b/w LANGUAGE: ENGLISH LOAD-DATE: December 13, 1994