Weatherman Townhouse Explosion Remains Shrouded in Mystery 56 Years Later

A cold case from the 1970s heats up as a new generation of journalists investigate the deadly blast that killed three members of the radical group.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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A journalist student team at Columbia University has been tasked with investigating the 1970 townhouse explosion in Manhattan that killed three members of the Weatherman underground organization. The blast has remained a cold case for over five decades, with many unanswered questions about what exactly happened that day. The only known survivor, Cathy Wilkerson, has written a memoir about her experiences, but some believe she may not have revealed all the details. As the statute of limitations has expired, no one can be charged criminally, making this an "academic" case at this point. The author of the original article reflects on his own past involvement in the radical movements of the 1960s and 70s, and the complex issues of violence, revolution, and state power that the townhouse explosion represents.

Why it matters

The townhouse explosion was a pivotal moment in the history of the Weatherman and the broader anti-war and revolutionary movements of the 1960s and 70s. Understanding what happened that day and the aftermath could provide important insights into the tactics, motivations, and ultimate fate of these groups. It also raises complex questions about the use of violence, the role of the state, and how we view these events decades later.

The details

The townhouse explosion occurred on March 6, 1970 in a Manhattan apartment building, killing three members of the Weatherman underground organization - Diana Oughton, Teddy Gold, and Terry Robbins. The cause of the blast is still unclear, with speculation that it may have been an accidental detonation by the bomb makers. Cathy Wilkerson, the only known survivor, has written about her experiences but some believe she may not have revealed all the details. In the wake of the explosion, Wilkerson was in a state of shock and had to be led to safety by a fellow Weatherman member.

  • The townhouse explosion occurred on March 6, 1970.
  • In the winter of 1971, about a year after the townhouse explosion, the author watched a knowledgeable bomb maker assemble the bomb that went off in the US Capitol.

The players

Cathy Wilkerson

The only person alive today who was inside the building when the bomb went off. She wrote her memoir, "Flying Close to the Sun: My Life and Times as a Weatherman" published in 2007.

Diana Oughton

One of the three Weatherman members killed in the townhouse explosion.

Teddy Gold

One of the three Weatherman members killed in the townhouse explosion.

Terry Robbins

One of the three Weatherman members killed in the townhouse explosion, described as the "firebrand of all firebrands" who was not destined to grow old.

Bernardine Dohrn

A member of the Weatherman underground who issued an early communique calling for attacks "with rock, riots and bombs" against "American imperialism".

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What they’re saying

“Today we attack with rock, riots and bombs, the greatest killer-pig ever known to man—American imperialism.”

— Bernardine Dohrn (Weatherman communique)

“Don't look for us, dog. We'll find you first.”

— Bernardine Dohrn (Weatherman communique)

“MR shares with Weatherman the notion that the main contradiction in the world is between the imperial center and the underdeveloped world on the periphery.”

— Jonah Raskin, Author (Monthly Review)

“That's true, but it doesn't mean that we advocate armed struggle in the US.”

— Paul Sweezy, Monthly Review editor (Monthly Review)

What’s next

The journalism students at Columbia University assigned to investigate the townhouse explosion will likely face challenges in uncovering the full truth of what happened, as memories have faded and many secrets remain buried over the decades. However, their research could still uncover new insights and perspectives on this pivotal moment in history.

The takeaway

The townhouse explosion remains a complex and haunting event that highlights the deep divisions, radical ideologies, and use of violence that characterized the 1960s and 70s in America. While the specific facts may never be fully known, the stories and reflections surrounding this incident provide important lessons about the corrupting influence of violence, the role of the state, and the lasting impact of such events on those who lived through them.