In 1996, Bjork dealt with the ugly side of celebrity when she was nearly attacked by an overly fixated fan who turned to violence both outward and tragically inward when processing his feelings toward the experimental-pop star. According to ABC News, Miami-based pest exterminator Ricardo Lopez had become obsessed with Bjork in 1993, filling diaries and recording hours of videotape detailing his thoughts on the star. Three years in, Lopez grew deeply enraged when Bjork began dating electronic musician Goldie, a Black man, and came up with what he called a “deliciously sadistic plan.” Lopez built a sulphuric acid bomb into a book and, finding the address of Bjork’s London home, mailed it off, including a fake letter from a record company to persuade the singer to open the book, at which point it would shoot painful, toxic acid onto her face. After sending the bomb, Lopez went home, turned on a Bjork album, and died by suicide.
According to Salon, police in the U.K. were able to retrieve the letter bomb before it reached Bjork’s home and did any damage. Learning of the attempt to injure her, Bjork took her young son away to Spain, but then sent flowers and a personal note to Lopez’s grieving parents. “It’s a very sad thing,” Bjork told reporters, adding that she was more concerned for her son’s feelings than for her own.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
