Ricardo Lopez was a 21-year-old pest exterminator who developed a fatal obsession with the Icelandic singer Bjork. He spent months planning to kill her with a letter bomb filled with sulfuric acid, and recorded his suicide on video after mailing the package. His body and the tapes were discovered four days later by the police, who managed to intercept the bomb and save Bjork’s life. In this article, we will explore the background, motives, and actions of Ricardo Lopez, his cause of death, and the impact of his crime on Bjork and the public.
## Who Was Ricardo Lopez?
Ricardo Lopez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, on January 14, 1975, and moved to the United States with his family when he was young. He settled in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he attended high school and college. He had a good relationship with his family, but was socially isolated and had low self-esteem. He suffered from Klinefelter syndrome, a genetic condition that affects male physical and mental development. He had aspirations to become an artist, but dropped out of school and worked as an exterminator for his brother’s business. He was fascinated by celebrities and retreated into a fantasy world where he imagined being close to them.
## How Did Ricardo Lopez Become Obsessed with Bjork?
Lopez became fixated on Bjork in 1993, after seeing her music videos and interviews on television. He admired her talent, beauty, and personality, and wrote her numerous fan letters. He did not expect a romantic or sexual relationship with her, but rather wanted to be her friend and protector. He collected information, photos, and memorabilia of her, and decorated his apartment with posters and drawings of her. He also started to make video diaries, where he talked about his feelings for Bjork and other topics, such as his family, his work, his art, and his loneliness. He recorded over 20 hours of footage, which he intended to send to Bjork after his death.
## What Triggered Ricardo Lopez to Plan Bjork’s Murder?
Lopez’s obsession with Bjork turned into hatred and resentment when he learned that she was dating a black musician named Goldie in 1995. He was enraged by the interracial relationship, and felt betrayed and rejected by Bjork. He decided that he had to kill her and himself, to end their suffering and to make a statement to the world. He began to research different methods of assassination, such as guns, knives, bombs, and poisons. He settled on a letter bomb that would spray sulfuric acid on Bjork’s face, disfiguring her or killing her. He bought the materials and equipment, and built the device in his apartment. He also shaved his head and painted his face red, to resemble a clown.
## How Did Ricardo Lopez Execute His Plan and Cause His Death?
On September 12, 1996, Lopez mailed the letter bomb to Bjork’s address in London, using a false name and return address. He then returned to his apartment, and recorded his final video diary. He explained his motives, expressed his love and hate for Bjork, and apologized to his family and friends. He also played some of Bjork’s songs, and sang along with them. He then put on headphones, and shot himself in the mouth with a .38 caliber revolver. The camera captured his death, and the tape ended with a label that said “The Last Day – Ricardo Lopez”.
## What Happened After Ricardo Lopez’s Death?
Lopez’s body and the tapes were found by the police on September 16, 1996, after his landlord reported a foul smell coming from his apartment. The police also found a note that warned them of the bomb, and contacted the British authorities. The bomb was located in a London postal sorting office, and safely detonated. Bjork was unharmed, but shocked and saddened by the incident. She sent flowers and a card to Lopez’s family, and dedicated a song to him at a concert. She also increased her security, and moved to Spain with her son. The tapes were confiscated by the FBI, and later released to the public. They were widely circulated on the internet, and became a source of curiosity and controversy. Some people viewed Lopez as a victim of mental illness, while others saw him as a dangerous and delusional stalker.
## Ricardo Lopez Cause of Death: A Tragic and Disturbing Case
Ricardo Lopez cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but the underlying causes were his obsession, hatred, and despair. He was a troubled and lonely young man, who sought solace and meaning in his idolization of Bjork. He was also a violent and irrational criminal, who attempted to murder an innocent person for his own twisted reasons. His case is a tragic and disturbing example of the dark side of celebrity culture, and the dangers of fanatical behavior.
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