Donald DeFreeze was born on November 15, 1943, in Ohio. From a young age, he showed signs of rebellious behavior and disregard for authority. He began his criminal activities at the tender age of 14 when he ran away from home and joined a local gang in his neighborhood.
DeFreeze's involvement in political activism started during the late 1960s when he joined several radical groups that fought against the government's oppressive policies. This led him to become the leader of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), a guerrilla group that advocated for radical social change through violent means.
One of the most notorious acts orchestrated by DeFreeze and the SLA was the kidnapping of heiress Patty Hearst. Initially, the group demanded a ransom, but Patty later claimed she joined the group willingly. This event garnered national attention and put DeFreeze in the spotlight as a radical revolutionary.
In May 1974, three months after the kidnapping, police raided the SLA headquarters where DeFreeze and five of his comrades were killed. Despite their efforts, Patty Hearst was not found during the raid, leading to speculation about her whereabouts and involvement in the group.
DeFreeze's actions and persona inspired various works of fiction, most notably horror writer Stephen King's antagonist character, Randall Flagg. His radical beliefs and revolutionary tactics captivated the imagination of many writers and filmmakers who sought to portray his story in different mediums.
Donald DeFreeze will always be remembered as a complex figure in American history, whose actions challenged the status quo and sparked important conversations about power, authority, and social change.
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