The volatile and controversial life of Thomas Retzlaff, a man known nationally as a lifelong conman, serial harasser, and internet troll, came to a sudden and violent end this month. Retzlaff died as the victim of a homicide, though authorities have not yet released specific details surrounding the circumstances of his death.
Retzlaff, who spent years provoking a long list of adversaries both online and in the courts, was found dead at his home in El Mirage, Arizona. The Maricopa County medical examiner officially ruled the death a homicide. At the time of his passing, he was reportedly awaiting trial in Arizona for multiple felony charges, a fitting end to a life constantly embroiled in legal and personal conflict.
A History of Feuds and Felonies
Retzlaff’s infamy was largely built on his career as a self-styled “anti-establishment” figure who used online platforms for what many considered targeted harassment and doxing. His long list of bizarre and troubling “accomplishments” included stolen valor, such as posing as a military veteran, and illegally posing as a lawyer to offer legal advice.
His online trolling activities were often directed at women, and in one highly disturbing episode, he gained notoriety for posting nude photographs of his adult daughter online. Another bizarre chapter in his history involved a successful prank on television host Anderson Cooper, where Retzlaff managed to appear on his show posing as the owner of a major pornography website.
The $100 Million Lawsuit and Allegations of Homicide Plots
Perhaps the most high-profile legal battle Retzlaff was engaged in was the $100 million defamation lawsuit filed against him by former Proud Boy Jason Lee Van Dyke. The legal hostilities between the two men were intense, protracted, and highly public, spanning multiple courts over several years before eventually being dismissed.
The rivalry between the two became even more sensational after Retzlaff publicly accused Van Dyke of attempting to orchestrate his assassination. These accusations gained chilling credence when audio recordings surfaced that allegedly captured Van Dyke discussing two different plans to kill Retzlaff, including a potential ambush near his Phoenix-area home and a plot for psychological terror. Van Dyke, who held trademarks associated with the Proud Boys, was briefly suspended by the State Bar of Texas during the legal disputes.
While Van Dyke has consistently and repeatedly denied any involvement in Retzlaff’s subsequent death, the discovery of the notorious troll’s body and the homicide ruling have brought the two men’s acrimonious history back into the spotlight.
The investigation into Retzlaff’s death is ongoing, with local police focused on determining the identity of the person or persons responsible for the fatal attack.
