Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of murder. Reader discretion is advised.
An episode of See No Evil titled, “Austin Serial Bomber” will follow the investigation that went into tracking down Mark Conditt, the serial bomber who planted several bombs in and around Austin in 2018. “Austin Serial Bomber” will be aired on ID on Wednesday, February 14, at 9 p.m. ET.
The Austin serial bombings happened in March 2018 when five bombs were planted in packages and placed across Austin. When residents found the packages outside their homes and attempted to move them, they exploded, killing two people and injuring four. According to CBS News, The FBI teamed up with the Austin Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to track down the serial bomber who was then identified as Mark Conditt.
At 6:55 a.m. on March 2, 2018, the police were notified about an explosion at a private residence in Austin, Texas. Anthony Stephan House was a victim of the explosion who was rushed to a hospital but subsequently died. The next blast occurred on March 12, at 6:44 a.m. resulting in the death of a teenager, Draylen Mason. A woman in her 40s was also injured. The explosion built by followed after a package placed on a house’s front porch was moved. The package consisted of a bomb built by Mark Conditt.
Another explosion on the same day, at 11:50 a.m. injured a 75-year-old lady. She attempted to pick up a package that was delivered to her address. On March 18, authorities attempted to reach out to the serial bomber, later identified as Mark Conditt, through the media and suggested that he turn himself in before more damage was caused.
What led authorities to zero in on Conditt?
At 8:32 p.m., on March 18, a bomb that was set by a tripwire exploded after a victim accidentally kicked it while walking in Travis County. Two victims, 22 and 23 years of age were injured in the blast.
The fifth explosion occurred on March 20, at a FedEx facility in San Antonio. The facility was about 65 miles southwest of Austin, at 12:30 a.m. A box that reportedly consisted of nails and metal shrapnel exploded while it was on a conveyor belt. This offered the investigators a lead as they then paused all activity at the FedEx facilities. They looked into the details of who shipped the package that exploded, ABC News reported.
On March 21, Mark Conditt was zeroed in as a suspect following a series of investigations. Authorities located his vehicle and prepared to confront him. As he was driving in his vehicle, near the place where the very first explosions occurred, the Austin SWAT team members neared him. Following this, another explosion occurred inside Conditt’s car.
How Did Mark Conditt Die?
Mark Conditt died in the explosion before authorities could confront him. The blast also led to an officer being injured and another officer shooting at the suspect. A cell phone was found on Conditt at the time of his death. It consisted of a 25-minute confession video in which he explained that he was responsible for the Austin serial bombings over the past month. He also confessed to building the explosives but didn’t specify his motive or targets.
Following his death, authorities questioned Mark Conditt’s roommates and friends to determine whether any more bombs remained in his possession. Mark Anthony Conditt was an Austin Community College Student from 2010 to 2012. He did not, however, graduate. CNN reported that authorities found material required for building similar bombs in Conditt’s possession but there weren’t any finished bombs.
Austin Serial Bomber is an episode of See No Evil on ID and will be aired on Wednesday, February 14, at 9 p.m. ET.
