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How did Teddy Joseph Von Nukem die? 'Torch-wielding' far-right extremist at Charlottesville rally skipped drug trial

A report on Teddy Joseph Von Nukem's death stated, 'suicide notes were found at the scene, left for law enforcement and his children'

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

SUMMERSVILLE, MISSOURI: A key member of the far-right Missouri contingent at the 2017 white nationalist demonstration in Charlottesville is said to have committed suicide before going on trial for allegedly trafficking drugs. Teddy Joseph Von Nukem, 35, committed suicide on January 30 in Arizona after he skipped the first day of his criminal trial for drug trafficking. 

He died in his Missouri hometown after a federal judge issued an arrest warrant, according to Daily Mail. Von Nukem, a native of Lebanon, became well-known after attending the white nationalist protest in August 2017 that sought to revive a nationalist movement in the US during the administration of Donald Trump.

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How did Teddy Joseph Von Nukem die?

Von Nukem died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the authorities. The coroner's report states that when the emergency services arrived, he still had a 'faint pulse' but he soon was dead. The report added, “suicide notes were found at the scene, left for law enforcement and his children, however, the handwriting was somewhat inconsistent,” according to The Daily Beast.

Von Nukem is survived by bis wife and five children aged below nine. The obituary of Von Nuken read, “Some people knew Ted and understood he was a different type of fellow and had different views of things." The alleged suicide comes after On March 17, 2021, Von Nukem was detained at the US-Mexico border on suspicion of having 15 kg of fentanyl pills stashed in the vehicle he was operating, according to the Daily Mail. 

The suspect quickly acknowledged that he had been paid the equivalent of about $215 to smuggle the pills, according to police records. He had been released pending trial and was supposed to show up in person on January 30 in Tuscon, Arizona, but never did. When neo-Nazi Von Nukem failed to appear in court to answer allegations of drug trafficking, the judge issued an arrest warrant. Von Nukem's wife found his body outside their Missouri house at around the same time the US District Judge Rosemary Marquez issued a warrant for his arrest.

About Teddy Joseph Von Nukem

Von Nukem is likely most known for the photos of the Charlottesville rioters leading the pack with tiki torches. It was reported at the time that Von Nukem's former classmate had spoken up and revealed the alleged drug trafficker's identity in a social media post, recalling him as a smart "token goth kid" and "highly intelligent" history enthusiast, according to the Springfield News-Leader.

She, however, did explain that he had a disturbing fascination with Nazi Germany. Further, in an interview at the time, Von Nukem also said, "If we don't play, we will be the field trampled by the players. You have to pick your side. You have to throw your support behind the army that is fighting for you. The rally was not a racist rally. It was a rally to save our history.”

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