Bio

Nathan Nicholas Trupp was born in 1947. His early life is not well documented, but it is known that he struggled with mental health issues for many years. As he grew older, these problems became more serious. Nathan was a long-term mental patient, meaning he received treatment for his mental illness over a long period.

By the time he reached his forties, Nathan’s mental health had declined further. He became obsessed with actor Michael Landon, who was popular in the 1980s for his role in the television show "Highway to Heaven." Nathan insisted he was on a "mission from God." This belief contributed to his troubled state of mind.

His behavior raised concerns among those around him. Friends and family may have noted his erratic behavior, but specific details about his personal relationships and lifestyle before his offenses are not widely available.

At the end of November 1988, Nathan Trupp’s life took a dark turn. On November 29, he walked into a bagel shop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Here, he shot and killed two men and one woman. This incident led to a series of events that would end with him being caught and charged with murder.

Two days later, on December 1, Nathan traveled to California. He went to Universal Studios, where he continued to search for Michael Landon. After asking for help in finding the actor, he became more aggressive. When security guards refused to let him use a studio phone to call Landon, Nathan returned and shot two unarmed security guards.

On May 25, 1990, a California court determined that Nathan was not guilty due to his mental state and committed him to a state mental hospital. Despite the violence he was involved in, the court recognized that his mental illness played a significant role in his actions.

Murder Story

On November 29, 1988, Nathan Nicholas Trupp entered a Northeast Heights bagel shop in New Mexico. There, he shot and killed two men and a woman. After this incident, Trupp managed to escape from the police. Two days later, on December 1, 1988, he moved to Southern California. At Universal Studios, he approached two unarmed security guards, Armando Torres, 18, and Jeren Beeks, 27. Trupp had been stalking actor Michael Landon and demanded to speak to him. When the guards refused his request, Trupp left but soon returned with a gun. He shot both guards in the head, killing one instantly. The other guard died later at the hospital.

After being arrested, Nathan Trupp was evaluated in court. He had a history of mental illness. Many psychiatrists examined him and declared that he was psychotic. On May 25, 1990, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. As part of his plea agreement, he was committed to a state mental hospital. The agreement aimed to ensure he would remain in custody for life due to the nature of his mental condition.