Torch-wielding southwest Missouri man in 2017 Charlottesville photo dies before trial date
Teddy Von Nukem, a southwest Missouri man featured prominently in photos from the infamous 2017 Charlottesville white-supremacist rally, died Jan. 30 this year, the same day he was scheduled to go trial for allegedly trafficking fentanyl across the Mexico border.
Photographed wearing a black shirt, with his mouth open and a tiki torch in hand, the Lebanon native's face went viral as he marched at the front of the 2017 protest against the removal of confederate statues. The Unite the Right rally garnered national attention because it was organized by a conglomeration of white supremacist, alt-right, neo-Nazi and pro-Confederate groups and resulted in the murder of counter-protestor Heather Heyer.
Speaking to the News-Leader at the time, Von Nukem said he supported then-President Trump but was not associated with the far-right groups that organized the rally.
"The rally was not a racist rally. It was a rally to save our history," he said.
"I don't mind showing solidarity with them," Von Nukem added, saying he believed white people are disadvantaged in modern culture. "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."
More:Southwest Missouri man identified as Charlottesville demonstrator in viral photo
Von Nukem "left what (he) always referred to as his 'meat suit' on January 30," according to his obituary. He is survived by his wife and five children.
"Teddy enjoyed visiting with people, talking to strangers, meditating, video games and board games, but most of all he loved dancing with each of his daughters every evening when he came home from work," reads his obituary.
"Some people knew Ted and understood he was a different type of fellow and had different views of things, but he would give the shirt off his back if you asked or needed it. He will be truly missed and loved. May he always be watching over his friends and family forever and always."
Unrelated to his involvement in the Charlottesville protest, Von Nukem faced federal drug trafficking charges. According to a 2021 indictment, Von Nukem attempted to cross from Mexico to the United States at the port of entry in Lukeville, Arizona. During inspection of his vehicle, 14 packages were found concealed in the rear passenger third-row seat of the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder.
According to the indictment, the packages contained 15 kilograms of pills that tested positive for fentanyl. Under police questioning, Von Nukem admitted to smuggling contraband into the United States but denied knowing the drugs contained fentanyl. He allegedly told investigators he was paid 4,000 pesos, or approximately $215, to smuggle the dangerous drug.
Von Nukem was later charged with drug trafficking and was set to stand trial in federal court starting Jan. 30. That same day, Von Nukem died, and the charges were dismissed. His obituary does not give a cause of death.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Ted Von Nukem, photographed at 2017 Charlottesville march, dead at 35
