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Ricardo López (stalker)

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Ricardo López (January 14, 1975 – September 12, 1996) was a Uruguayan-born American stalker who attempted to murder the Icelandic singer Björk.

Ricardo López
López in a video diary from January 1996
BornJanuary 14, 1975
Montevideo, Uruguay
DiedSeptember 12, 1996(1996-09-12) (aged 21)
2401 Van Buren Street Hollywood, Florida
Cause of deathSuicide by gunshot
Body discoveredSeptember 16, 1996
OccupationExterminator
Years active1996
EmployerMiami Mill Exterminators Inc.
Known forStalking and attempting to harm the Icelandic musician Björk by sending her a mail bomb
Height5'5 (165cm)
MotiveRacism
Obsession with Björk
Parasocial Relationship
Details
Target(s)Björk
Killed1 (himself)
WeaponsSulfuric acid
.38 Special revolver

López was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, and moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, with his family at a young age, and began working as a pest exterminator. He had poor self-esteem, was socially reclusive, and eventually developed an obsession with Björk in 1993. Though he did not hope to be sexually intimate with her, he was particularly angry over her brief relationship with the English jungle producer Goldie due to his race. Over the course of nearly nine months in 1996, he made video diaries about her and other topics, at his apartment in Hollywood, Florida.

On September 12, 1996, López mailed a letter bomb, rigged with sulfuric acid, to Björk's residence in London. He recorded a final video diary explaining his motivations, and ended it by filming his suicide by gunshot. Hollywood police found his body and the videos four days after his death and contacted Scotland Yard, who located the bomb in a London postal sorting office.[1] The parcel was safely detonated and Björk was unharmed.

Early life

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Ricardo López was born in Montevideo, Uruguay,[2][3][4] on January 14, 1975, into a middle-class family, which moved to the United States and settled in Lawrenceville, Georgia.[5][6] He had a good relationship with his family, and was described as easygoing but introverted.[5] He had a few male friends, but no female friends, nor a girlfriend. In a diary found by police, López expressed feelings of shame and inadequacy, as well as feelings of social awkwardness around women.[5][6][7] Journalist Paolo Pellegrini wrote that López had been diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome.[8] He was also a shorter man, standing at 5'5 (165cm). [9]

With aspirations to become a famous artist, López dropped out of high school. However, he did not seriously pursue an artistic career due to his feelings of inferiority, and fear of being denied entry into art school.[6][7] He intermittently worked for his brother's pest control business, Miami Mill Exterminators Inc, to support himself.[5][6][10] By the age of 17, López had become reclusive and, as a means of escape, retreated into a world of fantasies and became enthralled by celebrities.[5][6]

He initially became obsessed with Geena Davis, having watched Thelma & Louise several times. López mentioned in his diary that he watched it more than Hinckley watched Taxi Driver. Despite all of this, he quickly gave up Davis after finding out she was planning to marry director Renny Harlin.

Obsession with Björk

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Björk performing in 1997

In 1993, 18 year-old López became fixated on the Icelandic singer Björk.[5] This came after he saw a music video on MTV for her song "Human Behavior." "Wow man, she's so beautiful...and strange too. I've never really a girl that looks quite like her" López stated in his video diary.

He began gathering information about her life, followed her career, and wrote her numerous fan letters.[7] He also began making a sculpture of her in his apartment. Initially, López cited her as his muse and said that his infatuation gave him a "euphoric feeling".[6] As time passed, his fixation became all-consuming and he grew more disconnected from reality.[6] In his diary, López wrote of longing to be accepted by Björk and to be a person who had "an effect on her life".[7] He fantasized about inventing a time machine to travel to the 1970s and befriending her as a child.[7] His fantasies about Björk were not sexual. In his diary, he wrote, "I couldn't have sex with Björk because I love her."[7] When finding out about her new relationship, he said he "felt threatened by her having sex."

López's diary grew to 803 pages, with passages about his thoughts on Björk and his feelings of inadequacy due to being overweight, his disgust and embarrassment about his gynecomastia, and his inability to get a girlfriend.[6][7] He wrote that he considered himself "a loser who never even learned to drive" and complained about his menial job as an exterminator that earned little money.[7] The diary contained 168 references to López's feelings of failure, 34 references to suicide, and 14 references to murder.[7] He made 408 references to Björk and 52 references to other celebrities.[7][11]

Furthermore, his feelings of worthlessness and anger were elevated as he kept sending homemade gifts to her and she never acknowledged them, largely due to her high volume of fan mail. He also said if she had written back to him at least once, he would've been happy. No response was ever given to him. [12]

Letter bomb plot

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In 1996, López was living alone in an apartment in Hollywood, Florida. Around that time he read in Entertainment Weekly that Björk was in a romantic relationship with another musician, the English jungle producer Goldie.[5][6][13][14] López was angered by the perceived betrayal, and the fact that she was involved with a black man, writing in his diary: "I wasted eight months and she has a fucking lover."[15] He began fantasizing about how he could "punish" Björk.[15]

López stopped writing his diary and began filming a video diary in his apartment.[15][16] According to López, the diary's purpose was "... a documentation of my life, of my art and of my plans", and that "comfort is what I seek in speaking to you”.[16] He recorded eleven video tapes containing approximately two hours of footage each.[17] The tapes contain footage of López preparing his "revenge" and discussing his "crush [that] ended up as an obsession".[16] López's anger over Björk's relationship with Goldie intensified and he decided to kill her.[15] In one entry, he said: "I'm just going to have to kill her. I'm going to send a package. I'm going to be sending her to Hell."[16]

López initially intended to construct a bomb filled with hypodermic needles containing HIV-tainted blood, which satisfied his desire to have a lasting effect on Björk's life.[15] When he realized it would not be feasible to build such a device, López began constructing a letter bomb, comprising sulfuric acid in a hollowed-out book, which he planned to send to Björk's home in London, England.[15][16][6] The device was designed to explode and kill or disfigure Björk as she opened the book.[15] He was going to commit suicide after mailing the bomb, hoping that he and Björk would be united in the afterlife.[15][18]

His video diary showed that he left for the post office at 9:40am, returning back to his apartment at 10:00am.[19]

Death

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On the morning of September 12, 1996, López started filming his final video diary entry. The final tape, titled "Last Day – Ricardo López", began with López preparing to go to the post office to mail the letter bomb. He said that he was "very, very nervous", but that he would kill himself rather than be arrested if he aroused suspicion.

After returning from the post office around 10:00am, he resumed filming. While Björk's music played in the background, a naked López shaved his head and eyebrows and painted his face red and green.[16] Police speculated that López's reason for doing that was to make himself less recognizable, so it would be easier for him to take his own life.[20] He examined himself in a mirror and told the camera that he was "a little nervous now". He then stated, "I'm definitely not drunk. I am completely am not [sic] depressed. I know exactly what I am doing. [The gun]'s cocked back. It's ready to roll."[6]

When he decided it was time, he decided to listen to a final Björk song before shooting himself. He selected "I Remember You" as the final song. As soon as it finished playing, López shouted "Victory!" and shot himself in the mouth with a .38 caliber revolver.[6][21][1] This occured at 2:53pm local time, showing his pre-suicide ritual lasted almost 5 hours.[22] The death wasn't instanenous as hoped, being painfully obvious as he groaned and his body fell out of view. Shortly after, he began to bleed out on the floor, which was audible. The camera continued filming until the tape ran out and the batteries died.[6]

Four days later, on September 16, blood was observed coming from the walls near a side stairwell at his apartment. The blood was confirmed to have orginated from López's apartment.[6][15][16] The Hollywood Police Department entered and discovered López's decomposing corpse.[6][23] Written on the wall was a message: "The 8mm tapes are a documentation of a crime, terrorist matter, they are for the FBI."[15][17] The Broward County Sheriff's Office evacuated the building while the bomb squad searched for further explosives, and found none.[17] After viewing López's final tape, police contacted Scotland Yard to warn them that the potentially explosive package was en route to Björk's residence in London.[17][24] The package had yet to be delivered, and the Metropolitan Police intercepted it at a South London post office, after which it was safely detonated.[6][16][17][23][24] There had been little danger of Björk receiving the bomb because her mail was vetted through her management's office. This does mean that her management was at risk.[25] Unbeknownst to López, Björk and Goldie had ended their relationship a few days before he killed himself.[25]

Aftermath

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On September 18, outside her home in London, Björk gave a statement to the press, saying that she was very distressed by the incident.[26] She described it as "terrible" and "very sad",[23] and said that people should not "take me too literally and get involved in my personal life".[6] She sent a card and flowers to López's family.[27] She left for Spain, where she recorded the remainder of her third album, Homogenic away from media attention.[28] She also hired security for her son, Sindri, who was escorted to school with a minder.[29] A year after López's death, Björk discussed the incident in an interview: "I was very upset that somebody had died. I couldn't sleep for a week. And I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare the fuck out of me. That I could get hurt and, most of all, that my son could get hurt."[21]

López's family and friends were aware of his obsession with Björk.[7] They maintained that they had no idea that he harbored violent thoughts or was capable of violence. At one point, his brother had told him to "get a real woman, you're obsessed".[5][7] A psychiatrist who treated López for anxiety shortly before his death also stated that he did not appear dangerous.[5] López's videotapes, including his suicide, were confiscated by the FBI and then were released to journalists.[30]

On January 25, 2007 the battery to his camcorder and his journal were destroyed. No mention can be found about what happened to the camcorder itself, but a similar fate is presumed.[31]

The apartment complex he lived at is located at 2401 Van Buren Street in Hollywood, Florida and is still standing. Every apartment, including his, has been renovated and doesn't resemble the appearance in the tapes. The modern number of the apartment today is #25 and is located on the 2nd level all the way on the far-left side of the building.[32]

Public Release of Tapes

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The Ricardo López tapes gained a notorious presence on early shock sites, particularly those catering to audiences interested in macabre or graphic content. These sites, such as Rotten.com or later forums like Liveleak, were infamous for hosting real-life footage of violence, accidents, and disturbing events.

Once the investigation concluded, the tapes were no longer restricted and became accessible to the public through open records laws. At some point, individuals gained access to the video content through public records. Early internet forums and niche websites in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which often shared crime-related media, played a role in disseminating the tapes. Over time, the tapes were uploaded and distributed on various platforms, including video-sharing sites and forums dedicated to dark or macabre content.

The tapes culminate in López's on-camera suicide, which immediately made them a prime candidate for gore-oriented platforms. Such sites thrived on showcasing the morbid and real, often without regard for ethical considerations.

Contents of The Tapes

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López begins the tapes as a relatively composed individual, albeit visibly introverted and socially isolated. He discusses his daily life, frustrations, and feelings of sexual and/or romantic inadequacy. [33]

A significant portion of the early tapes centers on his growing obsession with Björk, whom he refers to in possessive and idolizing terms. He views her as pure and unattainable, idealizing her as a representation of what he lacks in his own life. His demeanor gradually shifts as he spirals into delusions. He becomes angry and irrational, particularly after learning of Björk’s relationship with musician Goldie, which he interprets as a personal betrayal.

He meticulously documents his plans to harm Björk, ultimately deciding to send her a book rigged with sulfuric acid. He believes this act will "punish" her and tie her fate to his. The tapes include detailed footage of him assembling the device, showcasing his technical knowledge and the obsessive care he takes in creating the weapon. López frequently discusses his belief that his actions are justified, presenting rambling monologues about love, rejection, and destiny.

The most infamous segment of the tapes is López’s final recording on September 12, 1996. He prepares for his suicide, shaving his head completely and painting his face in grotesque patterns, symbolizing a transformation or ritualistic conclusion. The final video ends in him shooting himself in the mouth with a revolver. The video itself isn't gorey and no blood is visible. However, the sound of blood flowing in a water-like consistency can be heard occuring off-camera. Groaning is also heard after the shot and him falling out of the chair.

A sign bearing the hand-painted words "The best of me - Sep 12" was propped on an upturned mattress behind him.[16] Police theorized that López intended to cover the sign with his blood and brain matter with the gunshot, but the gun was not powerful enough to cause that to happen, let alone kill him instantly.[25]

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In 2000, Sami Saif released a 70-minute documentary, The Video Diary of Ricardo López, comprising a condensed version of López's 22-hour video diary. Saif decided to limit its availability as "I want to be there when people see the film, because there are all sorts of things about Ricardo López on the internet. I like to be able to talk to people about what it is they've actually seen."[34]

In December 2003, ABC Primetime aired an episode talking about the case, in which Patricia Cornwell was voca throughout and making frequent comments. Towards the beginning she stated that she "couldn't even make this up in a novel."[35]

In 2004, a number of episodes of season 6 of the television show Third Watch were based on the case. They involve a man obsessed with a schoolteacher who makes a video diary about her before sending a letter bomb to her and killing himself on video with a shotgun.[citation needed]

In 2019, independent Italian director Domiziano Cristopharo released an 87-minute erotic horror film titled The Obsessed, with the working title of Last Day: The Best of Me. López's video diary was adapted as the subject material of The Obsessed in what Cristopharo described as "Albania's first horror film" and "a body horror freely inspired to the real story of Ricardo López, Bjork’s stalker".[36][37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Adams, David (September 19, 1996). "A Race Against Insanity". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Zamorano Trincado, Constanza (November 12, 2022). "La escalofriante historia tras el acosador de la cantante islandesa Björk". BíoBíoChile (in Spanish). Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  3. ^ Carboni, Romina (September 11, 2017). "Ricardo Lopez: lo stalker fanatico che riprese il proprio suicidio". Notizie.it (in Italian). Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  4. ^ Pellegrini, Paolo (November 2, 2017). "Ricardo López, historia de un acosador". Emadion (in Italian). Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Meloy, J. Reid; Sheridan, Lorraine; Hoffmann, Jens (2008). Stalking, Threatening, and Attacking Public Figures: A Psychological and Behavioral Analysis. Oxford University Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-0-19-532638-3. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Inside the Mind of a Celebrity Stalker". ABC News. December 11, 1996. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l (Meloy, Sheridan & Hoffmann 2008, p. 99)
  8. ^ Pellegrini, Paolo (November 2, 2017). "Ricardo Lopez, story of a stalker". Emadion. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Rewind Me (June 6, 2018). ABC Primetime Bjork Stalker Full Episode (2003). Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Rewind Me (June 6, 2018). ABC Primetime Bjork Stalker Full Episode (2003). Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ Schlesinger, Louis B. (February 2006). "Celebrity Stalking, Homicide, and Suicide A Psychological Autopsy". International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. 50 (1). SAGE Publications: 39–46. doi:10.1177/0306624X05276461. ISSN 1552-6933. PMID 16397120. S2CID 41617889.
  12. ^ Rewind Me (June 6, 2018). ABC Primetime Bjork Stalker Full Episode (2003). Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Carll, Elizabeth K. (2007). Trauma Psychology: Violence and Disaster. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-275-98531-8.
  14. ^ Sherburne, Philip (February 5, 2017). "Björk: Homogenic Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j (Meloy, Sheridan & Hoffmann 2008, p. 100)
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i Friedberg, Ardy (October 11, 1996). "Videos Document Obsession, Suicide". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c d e Ragland, Sarah (September 18, 1996). "Police Say Obsessed Fan Sent Bomb Before Suicide". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  18. ^ (Carll 2007, p. 131)
  19. ^ Pasteris Archive (January 30, 2024). Last Day: Ricardo López - September 12, 1996 [60p Master]. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "The Bjork Stalker - Ricardo Lopez". April 13, 2018.
  21. ^ a b Whiteley, Shelia (2013). Too Much Too Young: Popular Music Age and Gender. Routledge. p. 105. ISBN 978-1-136-50229-3.
  22. ^ Pasteris Archive (January 30, 2024). Last Day: Ricardo López - September 12, 1996 [60p Master]. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ a b c "Rocker Makes Statement". Sun-Sentinel. September 19, 1996. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  24. ^ a b (Meloy, Sheridan & Hoffmann 2008, p. 101)
  25. ^ a b c Pytlik, Mark (2003). Bjork: Wow and Flutter. ECW Press. p. 113. ISBN 1-55022-556-1.
  26. ^ Speers, W. (September 19, 1996). "Police Intercept Explosive Mailed To Rock Singer". Philadelphia Daily News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  27. ^ Colin, Chris (May 1, 2001). "Bj". Salon. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  28. ^ Ellen, Barbara (July 21, 2001). "'I used to think I'd live forever...'". The Guardian. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  29. ^ Hughes, Chris (September 19, 1996). "I Feel So Scared for My Little Boy. He's Very Brave' Bjork: My Acid Bomb Terror". The Mirror (London, England). Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  30. ^ Claus Christensen (May 2001). "Bag et mediemonster". Filmmagasinet Ekko (in Danish). p. 1. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  31. ^ R3M3DY (January 29, 2020). Ricardo Lopez - Crime Scene Photos And Police Report. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ "2401 Van Buren Street, Unit 25, Hollywood, FL 33020 | Compass". www.compass.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  33. ^ Ricardo Lopez Tapes (May 10, 2016). Ricardo Lopez Tapes (1/20). Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ Hjort, Mette, ed. (2013). The Education of the Filmmaker in Europe, Australia, and Asia. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 1–2. ISBN 978-1-137-07038-8.
  35. ^ Rewind Me (June 6, 2018). ABC Primetime Bjork Stalker Full Episode (2003). Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (July 5, 2018). "Exclusive: There's a Penis With Teeth in the Trailer For LAST DAY (THE BEST OF ME)". Dread Central. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  37. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (May 3, 2019). "Exclusive: This Clip From THE OBSESSED (The BEST OF ME) Might Just Be The Most NSFW Thing We've Ever Shown". Dread Central. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
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