Imagine living a double life for over 40 years, hiding in plain sight under someone else’s name. That’s exactly what 76-year-old Stephen Craig Campbell allegedly did—until his past finally caught up with him.
Campbell, a fugitive wanted for a 1982 bombing in Wyoming, was recently arrested at his home in Weed, New Mexico. The U.S. Marshals had been searching for him for decades, and his capture ended a dramatic standoff with authorities. Armed with a high-powered rifle and positioned in a hidden spot on his 44-acre property, Campbell was taken into custody after officers used flash bangs to subdue him. A search of his property revealed 57 firearms and a stash of ammunition.
But the story gets even wilder. Campbell had been living under the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, a college classmate who died in a car accident in 1975. Both men had studied engineering at the University of Arkansas, and Campbell allegedly stole Coffman’s identity to start a new life. Over the years, he used Coffman’s name to get a passport, a Social Security card, and even a driver’s license. He also collected around $140,000 in Social Security benefits under the fake name.
The bombing that put Campbell on the run happened in 1982. Authorities say he planted a toolbox bomb at the doorstep of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. The explosion severely injured his wife, costing her a finger, and started fires in the home and a neighboring unit. Campbell was charged with attempted murder but disappeared before his court date in 1983.
His decades-long deception began to unravel in 2019 when he tried to renew his driver’s license in New Mexico. Fraud investigators grew suspicious and discovered the real Walter Coffman had died decades earlier. That led them to Campbell’s true identity—and his long-standing warrant.
For the family of Walter Coffman, the news was devastating. His aunt, Sharon Ennis, told reporters, “To think that after all these years, this person has used his identity for his own gain is so sad, so devastating.”
Campbell now faces charges for passport fraud and could be extradited to Wyoming to face the attempted murder charges he’s been avoiding for over 40 years. It’s a story of deception, danger, and justice finally being served—decades later.
What do you think about this wild tale? Should there be a time limit on fugitive cases, or is it never too late for justice? Share your thoughts!
