CONCORD, NH — Tyler Anderson, a 30-year-old man from New Hampshire, Threatened the life of a presidential candidate last yearwas found dead last week as the jury was reaching its verdict, and prosecutors said he had made threats against an event hosted by Anderson. Vivek Ramaswamy And Chris Christie.
Anderson's death was confirmed in court documents.
Tyler Anderson faces federal charges
After a trial that began Monday, the jury began deliberating the case against Anderson, 30, of Dover, on Tuesday. Anderson's attorney did not immediately respond to email and phone messages seeking comment. “The government learned that the defendant was deceased,” court documents state. Prosecutors have moved to dismiss the indictment.
The U.S. Attorney's office did not name the candidate. At the time of Anderson's arrest, a spokesman for Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswami said the text messages were intended for his campaign. In an interview with the FBI, Anderson said he had sent similar text messages to “several other campaigns,” according to court documents.
Anderson was indicted by a federal grand jury in December on three counts of transmitting threats in interstate commerce, each of which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, up to three years probation and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Investigation into Tyler Anderson's death
Police in Concord, New Hampshire, were asked to assist with the search after Anderson failed to show up to court, and eventually found his car in a garage at Concord Hospital around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Deputy Chief John Thomas said.
Officers detected a strong chemical odor coming from the vehicle and called in a hazmat team. Anderson's body was removed from the vehicle and he was pronounced dead. No weapon was found. Thomas said no foul play is suspected at this time.
Anderson was arrested on December 9 and released on the 14th. A federal judge set several conditions for his release, including that he avoid contact with presidential candidates and their political activities.
Anderson, who was receiving mental health treatment, was ordered to take all of his prescribed medication.
Threats against presidential candidates
According to court documents, Anderson received a text message from Ramaswamy's campaign announcing the Portsmouth breakfast. Campaign staff received two text messages in response: one threatening to shoot the candidate in the head and another threatening to kill everyone at the event and desecrate the bodies.
Similar text messages were sent to two different candidates on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, prior to Ramaswamy's message, according to the complaint.
Court documents filed at the time of Anderson's arrest included screenshots of text messages threatening a mass shooting in response to an invitation to meet with candidates who “are not afraid to tell it like it is” on Dec. 6. Republican Chris Christie called his event a “tell it like it is town hall.”
A Christie campaign spokesman thanked law enforcement for responding to the threats.
The Justice Department is not releasing the victim's name out of respect for her privacy and its obligations under the Crime Victims' Rights Act, a Justice Department spokesman said.
