Russell E. Cox, 19, Marion, who attended Muncie Central High School, died late Sunday at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, from sharp force trauma by the explosive device, according to Allen County Coroner E. John Brandenberger. Brandenberger preliminarily ruled Cox's death as accidental, given witnesses told police the victim went back to check on the bomb when it did not go off. Police got a call around 3:54 p.m. Sunday that a truck was on fire at 9100 E. County Road 125-N in northeast Grant County. Emergency crews found the truck had been blown up near a vacant house a couple of miles from Eastbrook High School. Grant County sheriff's Lt. Tim Holtzleiter said the victim made a homemade bomb out of gunpowder and a propane cylinder and attached a timer to it. When the bomb did not go off, Cox went back to check it, and it exploded, causing fatal head and other massive internal injuries. Holtzleiter said police interviewed other witnesses at the scene, and did not anticipate any charges involved with making or possessing explosives. The coroner's office reported the victim was released to Parson Mortuary, Muncie, although arrangements were not made as of Tuesday.

Submitted on 12/12/2007

Submitted by: Katy Young
Reference: Indianapolis Star, 12/12/07

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Bruce said:
Neutral: Darwin Award
I'm really borderline on this one as being too common since this really sounds like just another kid doing stupid things with explosives. But making a bomb out of a propane tank and gunpowder sounds like he may have gone a little beyond the common type of bomb that kids typically build. I'll nominally give this one the nod given that detail. Thanks for sending this in, Katy.

Chip said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Yes, pipe bombs are way too common (unfortunately) but adding in a propane tank and then going back to see why it didn't do the big blast is rather special. I also liked that the police "did not anticipate any charges involved with making or possessing explosives". Duh! Kind of difficult to charge a corpse. Thanks for the story, Katy

James said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
Pipe bombs in general may be common, but this delinquent meant to do damage to someone and/or something! Of course, karma caught up with him in the end. A rather simple and effective morality tale! Thanks you kindly, Katy!

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