1. The collar bomb exploded, leaving a 5-inch gash on his chest. Wells had told police he had been forced to rob the bank. "We want everybody to take responsibility for what they did before and after this happened.". The official synopsis for Oxygen's Dateline: Secrets Uncovered episode, titled, Death Trap, reads: The bone-chilling case dates back to August 2003. Be the first one to comment on this story. But the case has been solved and indictments are expected, likely by next month, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan was to make an official announcement at a Friday afternoon news conference. The world was stunned when Brian Wells strode into a bank armed with a shotgun cane and with a bomb strapped around his neck Credit: SUN. Witnesses at the scene alleged that he walked out of the bank calmly and seemingly unperturbed. Diehl-Armstrong and Barnes both face initial appearances in federal court this week. 2. If youre a fan of the Netflix show Black Mirror, the latest season has an episode where the plot revolves around an unseen person controlling others to do their bidding. 5. An award-winning journalist who has worked forRolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. Barbara Schroeder, Evil Genius writer-director with co-director Trey Borzillieri, drew from years of work including countless interviews with Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, whom prosecutors have described as one of the pizza bombing plots masterminds. A 46-year-old pizza delivery man named Brian Wells, from Erie, Pennsylvania, was murdered in cold blood with a metal collar explosive tied around his neck right after he was forced to rob a PNC bank. Shortly after, authorities confronted him at the parking lot of a nearby Eyeglass World retail store. She has said she believed Wells was involved in the heist and that Rothstein was the brains behind the entire plot, not her. From the 1960s to the early 1970s, Rothstein was in a romantic relationship with Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong. They detained Wells and placed him outside of a police vehicle, where he sat on the ground in a parking lot. There are entire TV channels and streaming services dedicated to crime stories. Marshals, 'Happy-Go-Lucky' Girl, 13, Allegedly Killed by Man Who's Accused of Sexually Assaulting 2 Women, 'Victims Are Getting Lost in All This':Mallory Beach Family Attorney on Murdaugh Murder Mysteries, Alex Murdaugh's Lawyer Admits Botched Suicide Plot, Says Client Was Depressed After Murders of Wife, Son, 2nd Former Iowa Schools Employee Found Dead Amid Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Students, Woman Accused of Killing Her Friend, Then Framing Victim's Husband, Who Spent Years in Prison. IE 11 is not supported. They were engaged in their 20s, but it didnt last. Instead, it was Bill Rothstein pulling all the strings. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong died of breast cancer in 2017 while still in prison. The treasure hunt, as authorities later called it, involved Wells going to specific locations to find items and four special keys that the instructions said would unlock the collar around his neck. Wells, 46, was killed Thursday afternoon when a bomb attached to the collar exploded after a bank robbery. While investigating, the FBI got another tip involving Kenneth Barnes, who confirmed their suspicion that Marjorie was the mastermind. Brian Wells, 46, robbed a suburban Erie bank on Aug. 28, 2003, with the bomb attached to his neck and then was killed when it exploded as he sat handcuffed in This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. All right, well we've had those before, and many times you arrive on scene and they're hoax devices. This powerful, booby-trapped bomb can be removed only by following our instructions ACT NOW, THINK LATER OR YOU WILL DIE! The notes led Brian on a bizarre scavenger hunt, giving him time extensions on the bomb exploding for each step completed. As far as the public knew, things went quiet on Brian Wells' case. Ken was also a crack dealer, and when he was questioned by police on August 11th, 2005, he admitted to being part of the robbery/bomb plot. There was some conjecture that Brian Wells knew about the bomb plot. The riveting episode airs exclusively on the popular true crime network Oxygen on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 7 pm Eastern Time (ET). In July 2004, investigators tried to get a confession from Bill on his deathbed, but he passed without uttering a useful word. Im not lying. Around the 10-minute mark of the first episode, viewers are greeted by the actual video footage of the bomb which is locked around Brian Wells's neck like a Whoever put the bomb collar on Brian Wells never intended for him to live through the day. A new Black Mirror episode called Shut Up And Dance also eerily dramatises a similar crime. This was because of a technical issue, not a moral one, but the news station held the footage back and later turned it over to authorities. He, too, died in prison in 2019. The walking stick Brian Wells was carrying was actually a homemade gu. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. This led to even more twists being revealed. Many leads for potential suspects turned up empty until a local man named William Rothstein tipped off state police to a frozen body in his garage. A 46-year-old pizza delivery man with a bomb fastened around his neck robbed a Pennsylvania bank in August 2003, walking out with more than $8,000 in cash. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Rothstein's letter had been incorrect James Roden's death was directly connected to the case. Wells said he saw three Black men waiting for him. According to Rothstein, he hadn't even spoken to Diehl-Armstrong for a long time before she called and asked if he would help her hide Roden's body. Rothstein died of terminal cancer before he could face any charges, according to multiple news reports. Kenneth Barnes had already pleaded guilty as part of his deal in 2008, according to All That's Interesting. 10 Pieces Of Evidence To Give A Car Accident Lawyer. Those armchair detectives aren't alone, either. However, he was only able to get $8,702. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. He was instructed to get $250,000 within 15 minutes. Brian Wells, 46, robbed a suburban Erie bank on Aug. 28, 2003, with the bomb attached to his neck and then was killed when it exploded as he sat handcuffed in a parking lot while police waited for a bomb squad. As you may already know, everyone and their grandmother has a true crime podcast these days. In interviews, Rothstein cooperated and told police that he didn't kill James Roden. Diehl-Armstrong and Barnes were both eventually convicted of conspiracy and armed bank robbery charges. They might be kidnappings, disappearances, or, yes, murders. His eyes just got real wide, and then they went to the back of his head. Because Wells owed Barnes and his friends so much money, he had no choice but to participate, according to Wired. Later on, it was disclosed that a woman named Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong planned the entire crime. It was merely two pipe bombs and kitchen timers, according to Wired. As United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan said in 2007: Sadly, the plans of the other individuals were sinister, much more sinister., The Bizarre Real-Life Story of the Pizza Guy Who Robbed a Bank with a Bomb Around His Neck, Dentist Confessed to Murdering Wife on African Vacation, Prosecutor Says at Trial: 'I Killed My F---ing Wife', Pizza Delivery Driver Fatally Shot as He Stopped to Help 76-Year-Old Gunshot Victim: Police, Pa. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But don't press "play" unprepared or you could find yourself unwittingly witnessing some seriously gruesome stuff. What Injuries Do Robert J. DeBry Car Accident Lawyers Accept? In 2003, one of the most bizarre crimes ever seen began unfolding. Marjorie said he had fallen, and the coroner corroborated, saying the death was accidental. The client, Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, is serving seven to 20 years in state prison for pleading guilty but mentally ill to killing her boyfriend, James Roden, in 2003. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He was another genius who was in Mensa. Three minutes before the bomb squad arrived, the collar detonated, tearing a hole in Wells' chest and killing him within moments, according to All That's Interesting. He was reportedly the putative creator of the collar bomb. In this photo released Sept. 17, 2005, by the FBI, Brian Wells, 46, of Erie, Pa., carries a plastic bag of cash after robbing the PNC Bank in Summit Towne Centre in Erie on Aug. 28, 2003. Someone might have taken it, but investigators believe that it was probably never there at all. The state troopers kept a safe distance as Wells repeatedly warned them that the bomb would blow. The total was $8,702, far short of a quarter million dollars, according to Wired. For cases such as these Personal Injury lawyers are used to build cases and file for compensation. She was ultimately found not guilty on the grounds that he was allegedly violent and abusive towards her. Now in a state mental hospital, Marjories testimony against Bill would be useless. But at first, no one noticed the man, whose name was Brian Douglas Wells. According to police, Wells himself helped plan the scheme and agreed to wear the collar to throw authorities off the trail and let his co-conspirators get away with a bank robbery. I dont have a lot of time, he said, according to a video Its a weird line to draw when youre already ass-deep in a murder, and one that would ultimately put Marjorie in prison. . This is one of the most movie-esque murder plots ever committed and its the subject of Oxygens weekly. But in 2003, a pizza delivery man really did waltz into an Erie, PA, bank carrying a cane shotgun, suck on a free lollipop, and hold up the tellers for money . The bomb exploded before bomb technicians arrived. According to the indictment, Diehl-Armstrong and Barnes contrived a plan to make it look as though Wells was merely a hostage, which would give Wells an alibi should he be captured. Rothstein passed away on July 30, 2004, from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Roden's killing led police to question Diehl-Armstrong in the Wells case because Roden's body was found in the freezer of a man named William Rothstein, who has since died. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. The inmate also said Diehl-Armstrong told her that Rothstein helped build the bomb and the motive was financial, according to the FBI affidavit. Please consult us at Robert J. DeBry & Associates for a professional, experienced lawyer. The state troopers kept a safe distance as Wells repeatedly warned them that the bomb would blow. A still showing Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong from "Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist" on Netflix. , Here's a Warning About That Crazy-Disturbing Scene in Netflix's Evil Genius, The "Stranger Things" Prequel Stage Play Dives Deep Into Vecna's Origin Story, Can't Wait For "Daisy Jones & The Six"? And that was the end of him, Lamont King, a former Pennsylvania State Police supervisor, says in the documentary. Marjorie was later convicted for her monstrous crimes, which included armed bank robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and the use of a deadly device. On the stand, Marjorie gave a long and rambling testimony (possibly a symptom of bipolar). The first steps of the instructions told him to drive back across town, go into a specific PNC bank, and hand a note to the teller. So the police traced the call for the two pepperoni pizzas to the transmission tower site and found Brians shoe impressions and tire marks there, but here the trail went cold. PEOPLE has been given exclusive access to the detailed notes recovered by investigators who searched Wells car. Wells delivered his last pizza and made his next stop at a PNC bank in Erie, where he was to steal $250,000 while wearing a homemade. He is expected to be released in 2027, prison officials said. It all started with a phone call on September 20, 2003, less than a month after Wells' death. Before his death, Wells was a pizza delivery man who, shortly before his death, made a delivery stop outside of Erie. Never have the public at large had so many options when it comes to learning about people committing terrible acts. 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