The Blount Family Bombing Part Two: The Teenager and the Businessman

The Blount Family Bombing Part Two: The Teenager and the Businessman

Author: TTC Productions August 21, 2026 Duration: 23:15
Shortly after the 1985 bombing murders of Joe Blount, Angela Blount, and Michael Columbus, early suspicion fell on people connected to Hilltop Mobile Home Park, including drug dealers and Angela’s 15-year-old classmate. Despite rumors and circumstances that drew investigators to the teenager, the ATF ultimately eliminated him in the initial investigation.

Months later, in 1986, an Azle businessman became a person of interest after an ATF operation. Although the circumstances that led to his arrest looked like a promising lead in the Blount Family bombing, agents but were also unable to connect him. Later that year, another potential lead emerged after a major North Texas drug raid in which authorities recovered weapons and explosive materials. Following the unfortunate trend, it went nowhere.

Ten years later, federal, state, and local investigators assembled a new task force and began again from the beginning. It led back to the 15-year-old classmate of Angela Blount who was a suspect in the original investigation. His telephone was tapped and witnesses testified before a grand jury, but they chose not to indict.

In 1997, one telephone tip finally sent agents and investigators in a new direction. By December of that year, the task force reported they had witnesses capable of placing the bomb in their suspect’s hands. After the longest-running investigations in ATF history, authorities announce that they expect a capital murder indictment and an arrest in the bombing murders.

If you have any information about the murders of Robert and Angela Blount and Michael Columbus, please call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tipline at (888) 283-8477.

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The stories that haunt a community often linger long after the headlines fade, waiting for someone to listen. Gone Cold-Texas True Crime is a podcast dedicated to those unresolved narratives, focusing specifically on the vast and complex landscape of Texas. Each episode delves into a different mystery, from long-unsolved homicides and disappearances that have left families searching for decades to other enigmatic cases that have stubbornly resisted explanation. The sheer size and diverse history of Texas provide a unique backdrop for these investigations, where details can be as sprawling as the state itself. Produced by TTC Productions, this series approaches each case with a focus on the facts and the human stories at their core, avoiding sensationalism in favor of thoughtful examination. When you listen, you’ll hear a detailed recounting of events, often including what is known about the individuals involved and the investigative paths that were followed, all while considering the questions that remain unanswered. This podcast serves as an audio record for cases that deserve renewed attention, exploring the lingering impact on communities and the hope that new information might still emerge. It’s for those drawn to the intricacies of real-life mysteries and the understanding that some of the most compelling stories are those without an ending.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Gone Cold - Texas True Crime
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