Atheist Activist from Colorado Arrested on Suspicion of Second-Degree Murder

In 2015, the Western Colorado Atheists and Freethinkers put up a digital billboard in Grand Junction saying, “Axial tilt is the reason for the season!” When the media wanted to learn more, the WCAF President representing the group was Aleksandr Kolpakov:

The local media called the sign “controversial,” though they didn’t name a single person who had a problem with it. Kolpakov told them the purpose of the billboard was to let non-religious people in the area know they’re not alone and that “WCAF is here for them to provide them with fellowship and community without the dogma of organized religion.”

Kolpakov (a.k.a. “Russian Deadpool”) was also one of the YouTubers behind The Skeptic Feminist, where he talked about “patriarchal monotheistic religions” because “religion and misogyny are inexorably tied.”

I bring all this up because Kolpakov was just identified as the lone suspect in a homicide case in Mesa County, Colorado.

Aleksandr Kolpakov, of Clifton, is being held at the county’s jail on suspicion of second-degree murder.

The shooting happened about 9:30 p.m. on the 3200 block of 1/2 Lombardy Lane where deputies, called out on reports of several gunshots, found the woman dead outside of a home. Kolpakov was taken into custody.

Nothing else has been confirmed just yet. There’s no evidence this shooting had anything to do with religious differences or as a “result” of his atheism. The victim’s name hasn’t been released to the public, though we have reason to believe she’s also an online activist. (We’re waiting for official confirmation.)

We’ll provide updates when we can. A representative from WCAF didn’t immediately respond for comment.

***Update***: The Facebook page for The Skeptic Feminist posted that Kolpakov had a “psychotic episode” moments before the shooting.

***Update 2***: An update from The Skeptic Feminist account on Twitter:

Ok Folks Harley here. I'm asking trying to be nice. Yes, things are bad, but its our business. We'll you keep informed as we feel nessary

— The Skeptic Feminist (@SkepticFeminist) May 15, 2017

***Update 3***: A representative from the Western Colorado Atheists and Freethinkers told me that Kolpakov quit their group some time ago.

***Update 4***: The victim has been identified as Heather Anable, a co-host of the YouTube channel.

(Thanks to John for the link)