Terry Nichols, an American homegrown terrorist, is known for his involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing case. Raised on a family farm in Michigan, Nichols developed an anti-government sentiment, which was further fueled by the attack on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Seeking revenge, he collaborated with Timothy McVeigh, whom he had met during his time in the US army. Together, they orchestrated a truck bombing that targeted the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma, resulting in the tragic deaths of 168 people, including nineteen children. While McVeigh received the death penalty for triggering the bomb, Nichols was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role as an accomplice.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: Ted Parker, Joe Rivers
- Also Known As: Terry Lynn Nichols
- Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Lana Walsh (m. 1981–1988), Marife Torres (m. 1990–2003)
- Father: Robert Nichols
- Mother: Joyce Nichols
- Siblings: James Nichols
- Children: Joshua Nichols
- Born Country: United States
- Terrorists
- American Men
Childhood & Early Years
Terry Nichols was born on April 1, 1955 in Lapeer, a small town in Michigan. His parents, Robert and Joyce Nichols, were farmers. He was the third of four children and had two brothers named James and Leslie. Growing up on a farm, Terry and his siblings worked on the farm doing tasks like picking up rocks and pitching manure. He also had a caring nature and would take care of injured birds and animals. Terry attended Lapeer High School and graduated in 1973. During his time in high school, he participated in football, wrestling, and was a member of the ski club.
Early Adulthood and Career
After graduating from high school, Terry Nichols joined Central Michigan University with the intention of becoming a physician. However, he struggled with his studies and eventually left college. He returned home to work on the family farm with his brother James, but he found it difficult to adjust and soon left for Colorado. In Colorado, he obtained a real estate license and closed his first big deal. However, he eventually returned home at the request of his mother.
Back in Michigan, Terry took on various part-time and short-term jobs. He worked in carpentry, managed a grain elevator, and sold life insurance and real estate. In 1988, he joined the United States Army and underwent basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Despite finding the physical training challenging, he formed a friendship with Timothy McVeigh during this time. They were later transferred to Fort Riley, where they met their third accomplice, Michael Fortier. Terry applied for a hardship discharge and returned home in May 1989.
Developing Anti-Government Views
In Michigan, Terry Nichols became exposed to anti-federal government views that were prevalent in the area. These views were further fueled by the banks taking control of many farms in the 1980s. Nichols began attending meetings and developing his own anti-government sentiments. Similarly, Timothy McVeigh, who had been honorably discharged from the army, also developed a grudge against the government.
In December 1991, Terry Nichols invited Timothy McVeigh to join him in Michigan. Over the next three years, they spent a significant amount of time together and eventually became business partners, selling weapons and military surplus at gun shows across the USA. During this time, Nichols tried to renounce his citizenship and declared himself a “non-resident alien.” The attack on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas in April 1993 further fueled their anger, leading them to plot revenge.
Oklahoma Bombing
In March 1994, Terry Nichols moved to Kansas and worked as a ranch hand. He quit his job in the fall, stating that he intended to go into business. In reality, he and McVeigh had decided to bomb the Murrah Building in Oklahoma as a statement against the government. They rented a storage shed and began gathering supplies, including explosives and fertilizer. Nichols also robbed an Arkansas gun dealer to fund their conspiracy.
By mid-April 1995, everything was ready. They dropped off the getaway car in Oklahoma City and prepared the truck bomb at a lake near Herington. On April 19, 1995, McVeigh parked the bomb-loaded truck in front of the Murrah Building, causing a devastating explosion that killed 168 people and injured 684. McVeigh was arrested shortly after.
The Trial and Conviction
On September 21, 1995, Terry Nichols voluntarily went in for questioning at the Herington Police headquarters and was eventually arrested in connection with the bombing. He was formally charged on May 10, 1995 and indicted in August. His trial began in September 1997 and lasted for three months. While he was acquitted of actually detonating the bomb, he was convicted of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and involuntary manslaughter.
On June 4, 1998, Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison without parole and labeled “an enemy of the Constitution.” He is currently serving his sentence at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado.
Family & Personal Life
In 1980, Terry Nichols married Lana Padilla, a real estate broker, and they had a son named Joshua Isaac Nichols. They divorced in 1988, and Joshua was raised by his mother in Las Vegas. In November 1990, Nichols married Marife Torres, whom he had met through a mail-order bride agency. They have two children, a daughter named Nicole and a son named Christian. His wife and children currently reside in the Philippines.