Mark Conditt : Austin Serial Bombings: Death Toll Updates

Disclaimer: This article contains references to murder and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

The highly anticipated episode of the true crime series See No Evil titled “Austin Serial Bomber” is set to premiere on ID on February 14, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET. This gripping episode delves into the shocking series of bombings that terrorized Austin, Texas, in March 2018.

The Austin serial bombings left a trail of devastation, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring several others. The first victim, Anthony Stephan House, a 39-year-old African-American male, tragically lost his life on March 2, 2018, when the initial explosion occurred. Another victim, Draylen Mason, a 17-year-old African-American, succumbed to one of the blasts on March 12, as reported by CNN.

Initially, the death of Anthony Stephan House was treated as a suspicious incident. However, as the Austin serial bombings continued, it became evident that a homicide investigation was warranted, as reported by ABC News. House was rushed to the hospital following the bombing but unfortunately passed away. On the same day, Draylen Mason lost his life when a package left on the front porch of a family home in Austin was inadvertently moved inside, resulting in a devastating blast that also gravely injured his mother.

In another incident on March 12, a 75-year-old Hispanic woman was injured when a similar package was delivered to her. Subsequently, on March 18, two young victims, aged 23 and 22, were walking on a sidewalk in Travis County when one of them accidentally kicked a tripwire, triggering the fourth explosion. Both individuals sustained injuries as a result. Finally, on March 20, 2018, a female FedEx employee was injured in a blast at a FedEx facility, according to CNN.

What Motivated the Austin Serial Bombings in 2018?

The mastermind behind the Austin serial bombings was identified as Mark Conditt, a 23-year-old white male. Tragically, he also met his demise in the final explosion. ABC News reported that this incident occurred as authorities closed in on Conditt.

The FBI and the Austin Police Department joined forces to investigate the series of bombings that had plunged the city into fear. Their relentless efforts led them to Mark Conditt after the explosion at the FedEx facility. Conditt was located in Round Rock, north of Austin. As officers began following his vehicle, Conditt caused another explosion inside his car, resulting in his death. The explosion also injured one officer, while another officer fired at Conditt.

During the investigation, authorities discovered a 25-minute confession video on Mark Conditt’s phone. CNN reported that he admitted to constructing all the explosives used in the Austin serial bombings. Although Conditt’s friends and roommates were interrogated to determine if he possessed additional bombs, the police only found materials for bomb-making. No finished explosives were found in Conditt’s possession.

Regrettably, the video did not provide any insight into the motives behind Mark Conditt’s selection of victims for the Austin serial bombings. This suggests that there may not have been a discernible pattern in his targeting. However, the confession did touch upon his personal struggles, which could have contributed to his criminal activities. It was revealed that Conditt attended Austin Community College from 2010 to 2012 but did not graduate.

Tune in to the upcoming episode of See No Evil on ID, airing on February 14, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET, to delve deeper into the chilling events of the Austin serial bombings.