Evil Genius: The Bizarre Pizza Bomber Case Explained

On August 28, 2003, pizza deliveryman Brian Wells was stopped by police with a bomb strapped around his neck. He claimed he had been kidnapped and forced to rob a bank under threat of detonation. He had a set of detailed instructions, like something out of a twisted scavenger hunt, supposedly designed to give him the key to remove the bomb. The bomb exploded before authorities could disarm it — live on TV — killing Wells instantly.

What followed was a deep and complex investigation that uncovered a tangled web of suspects. At the center of it all was Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong, a woman with a long history of criminal behavior and mental illness. She and several others had orchestrated the robbery using Wells as an unwitting pawn. Whether he was complicit or a victim remains a topic of debate to this day.

The investigation and trial that followed captured national attention. Diehl-Armstrong was ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Other suspects were also prosecuted with varying degrees of involvement. The story raised troubling questions about the limits of manipulation, mental health, and the justice system.

Evil Genius: The True Story of America's Most Diabolical Bank Heist, a four-part Netflix docuseries, chronicles the investigation in chilling detail. The series blends archival footage, interviews with investigators, and courtroom drama to paint a disturbing portrait of a plot that spiraled out of control.

With an IMDb rating of 7.5, Evil Genius is praised for its ability to combine sensational material with thoughtful storytelling. It doesn’t just focus on the crime — it also examines the long-term social and psychological impact on the people involved.

The series is available on Netflix and is a must-watch for anyone fascinated by true crime that pushes the boundaries of what seems possible in the real world.