Mother of Ohio suspect says pipe bombs are his hobby, had no intention of harming anyone

Mom of Ohio suspect: Pipe bombs are his hobby

AKRON, Ohio — A former anesthesiologist accused of making pipe bombs in his apartment didn’t intend to harm anyone and detonated the devices in remote areas as a hobby, his mother told a newspaper.

“Mark had no intention of killing anyone. He saves lives. He doesn’t take them,” 77-year-old Rosemary Campano told the Akron Beacon Journal in a phone interview Thursday.

She also disputed comments from some of her son’s former neighbors who told reporters that he was critical of the government.

Mark Campano, 56, was ordered held without bond Thursday on a federal charge of illegal possession of a pipe bomb.

The former doctor, who practiced in Ohio and West Virginia, could flee and poses a risk to himself and others, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Benita Pearson said. The evidence against Campano is “overwhelming” and a pretrial interview showed he admitted “alcoholic binges, depression, drug abuse and the lack of a stable residence,” Pearson said.

Campano was taken into custody Nov. 23 after two explosions at his apartment complex in Cuyahoga Falls. Authorities said they seized about 35 pipe bombs plus firearms and ammunition.

Rosemary Campano could not be reached for further comment Friday. A call to a phone listed in her name was answered by a woman who hung up. Earlier calls by The Associated Press were answered by a woman who said no family member was available to comment.

Information from: Akron Beacon Journal, www.ohio.com