#374: Stalker Fan Sends Acid Bomb To Famous Singer, “Because if she’s ugly, then no one will want her”

Ricardo's fascination with Icelandic musician Björk led him to a dangerous level of fixation, which began with an intrigue for her music and escalated into an unhealthy obsession.

Ricardo became obsessed with Icelandic musician Björk after first encountering her music and visuals

Ricardo first heard Björk's song at his brother's house, and while he initially thought the music was "not that great," he was captivated by her "insane vocals." After looking up her videos for artistic inspiration, Ricardo became fixated on Björk's face, describing it as a mixture of beauty and strangeness. He knows her face intimately, even claiming to see every line and feeling a sense of happiness when picturing her features.

Ricardo's obsession grew as he collected anything related to Björk, including magazines, CDs, and other memorabilia. He would buy two magazines without even checking the price if Björk was on the cover. At home, he would analyze these images, enchanted by her looks. He continually encountered her on TV, further deepening his captivation. Eventually, his family discovered that Ricardo's room was plastered with a repeating image of Björk's face, and he talked about her incessantly.

Ricardo viewed Björk as an idealized, childlike figure and developed an unhealthy fixation on her

Ricardo saw Björk as a "sweet little girl," describing her voice as childlike and being affected by the emotions it elicited. He focused on her physical features like her larger eyes and button nose, which he correlated with childlike beauty.

Ricardo had an 803-page journal dedicated to his feelings for Björk, writing her name over 400 times, and expressed a paternal or protective desire towards her, rather than a romantic or sexual attraction. He fantasized about providing her comfort and protecting her, reflecting a desire for a deep connection. Ricardo admitted to engaging in imaginary conversations with Björk, acknowledging t ...

Ricardo's obsession with the singer Björk led to the development of terrifying and violent plans to harm her, reflecting the dangerous combination of fixation and ingenuity.

Ricardo developed an elaborate, violent plan to attack Björk with a homemade acid bomb

Ricardo meticulously researched various corrosive acids to create the most devastating mixture possible. He experimented with 36% hydrochloric acid but found it ineffective on food and on himself. To achieve a more damaging effect, he decided on sulfuric acid, which is highly corrosive, causes severe burns and deep tissue damage, potentially leading to permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma. Ricardo constructed a spray mechanism for the acid and chose to hide it in what he planned as an intricate "book bomb" device designed to target Björk.

The bomb, disguised inside a book, would have triggered upon opening. Ricardo considered the reaction time of the victim to the splash of sulfuric acid, aiming to burn her for around a minute to inflict serious damage. He also crafted a deceptive message threatening the book would explode to delay the victim's response, hoping she would evacuate the house instead of immediately trying to wash the acid off.

While finalizing his acid bomb, Ricardo went to the post office and shipped it to London, aware that it would be traced back to him. He expressed no anxiety during this act.

Ricardo's plans also involved injecting Bjørk with HIV-infected blood, expressing a desire to "psychologically rape her mind"

Initially, Ricardo planned to psychologically torment Björk by injecting her with HIV-infected blood. He intended to obtain HIV-positive blood from a sex worker, then inject the blood into Björk using hypodermic needles part of a disguised formal invitation to an AIDS gala. Upon opening, needles would stab into her thumbs, injecting her with the virus. Ricardo con ...

The transcript reveals a disturbing narrative of Ricardo's downward spiral, marked by concerning behaviors and obsessions.

Ricardo exhibited concerning behaviors and outbursts from a young age, including fixations on other celebrities

Ricardo was known to be shy and introverted from a young age, keeping a small circle and displaying signs of an obsessive personality. His familial ties were aware of his mental instability, but despite challenges, they struggled to provide adequate help or curb his dangerous tendencies. Though Ricardo was seeing a therapist and had recently begun anti-anxiety medication to quell his anxieties about his plans, no alarming behaviors were noted by his therapist. His brother kept a close watch due to his mental instability.

As an exterminator, Ricardo had access to harsh chemicals, which he saw as an advantage. He even noted having allergic reactions to these chemicals, further emphasizing the erratic environment in which he immersed himself.

As his obsession with Björk escalated, Ricardo's mental state deteriorated, leading to a full psychological breakdown

Video diaries spanning 20 hours over nine months document Ricardo’s unraveling and detachment from reality. They show his descent into nihilism with indications of a mental break, such as shaving his head twice. Increasingly violent fantasies are evident, including desires to act violently at a rap concert.

His mother's reaction to his purchase of a gun hinted at the depth of concern for Ricardo's well-being. Her tears and pleas underscore a familial understanding of his delicate mental state. At one point, Ricardo even reconsidered his violent plans towards Björk due to his mother's distress.

However, as he faced eviction and felt disconnected from the outside world, Ricardo felt his life wa ...

Following the harrowing events involving Björk and the plot by Ricardo, the aftermath triggered a wave of trauma and a profound look at the societal issues related to mental health and violence.

Björk was deeply shaken by the revelation of Ricardo's plot, experiencing ongoing trauma and PTSD

The globally renowned singer Björk emerged safe from Ricardo's plot as the bomb never reached her. However, the incident left her with ongoing trauma and PTSD. Björk articulated her distress, stating she could not sleep for a week and was haunted by fear for her own safety and that of her son. Björk’s compassion extended to Ricardo's family, as she acknowledged their suffering by sending flowers and empathizing with their loss. In her music, she channeled her turbulent emotions into creating "So Broken," a song that serves as a poignant reflection of the heartache and chaos she felt.

The case raises complex questions about the role of mental health support, societal pressures, and toxic obsessions in acts of positive actions

Society grapples with complex views on Ricardo—some consider him a troubled individual in need of sympathy and mental health support, while others recognize him as a dangerous perpe ...