Fox News Stars Mourn Texas ‘Fan Who Became A Friend’ Murdered In Park Attack

A Texas engineer who became a friend to several Fox News personalities was brutally murdered on a park bench last week, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the people who knew him.

Andrew James Wimsatt, 62, of Austin, was killed September 7 in what authorities believe was a random attack in Round Rock, Texas. Wimsatt had been sitting on a park bench shortly after visiting his mother at a nearby nursing home when a stranger allegedly approached him from behind and stabbed him repeatedly in the neck.

Williamson County deputies arrested 26-year-old Benedict Chinedu Ogbodiegwu and charged him with murder and theft. Surveillance footage captured the attack, according to court documents obtained by Fox 7 Austin.

But as news of Wimsatt’s death spread, his connection to Fox News personalities revealed a very different picture of the man who was killed. Wimsatt was a longtime fan of Greg Gutfeld’s former show “Red Eye” and later “Gutfeld!” He would clip segments from the shows, attend live events, and regularly send clips to members of the cast. Over the years, that fan relationship developed into genuine friendships.  Gutfeld said he initially assumed Wimsatt had ulterior motives when he began helping promote the show and its personalities. “At first, I was suspicious, because I always assume people do things because they want things,” Gutfeld said. “I was wrong with Andrew. He did stuff for people — lots of people — because he enjoyed being of service, and promoting stuff that he genuinely enjoys and believes in.”

“The crime, to me, is so heinous and shocking that I’m still trying to comprehend it,” Gutfeld told Fox News Digital. “I may never.”

Kat Timpf described Wimsatt as “a fan who became a friend.” The two reportedly stayed in contact weekly for years, and Timpf said Wimsatt consistently encouraged her during difficult moments in her career. She and her husband had lunch with Wimsatt in Fort Worth in June, when he drove from Austin to see her return to the stage following the sudden death of her father.

“He was so kind and generous it almost seems impossible,” Timpf told Fox News Digital. “He always supported me … whether that was sending me clips I wanted to post or offering truly helpful words of encouragement during the times throughout my career that the internet was piling on me.”

Timpf also shared a photo of Wimsatt receiving merchandise she sent him, writing that he was “so excited and grateful” despite, in her words, having done “way, way more for us and everyone he’s ever met.”

Tyrus, another personality on “Gutfeld!,” remembered Wimsatt as a longtime supporter who attended his stand-up shows. “He took care of his mother… always positive… he was kind man, 62 years old, fragile-looking, but had a monster laugh,” Tyrus said. “I was honored to know him I was honored he cared so much and honored that my jokes and thoughts brought him joy.”

Wimsatt’s life extended well beyond his connections to television personalities. He held a Ph.D. in civil engineering and worked for the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, remaining with the organization part-time after retiring. He was also credited as an executive producer on Penn Jillette’s horror-comedy “Director’s Cut.” His social media reflected interests ranging from wildlife and cityscapes to vintage storefronts and art.

His final moments, meanwhile, were captured by surveillance cameras at the park. According to the arrest affidavit, Wimsatt sat down on the bench at approximately 10:55 a.m. A man investigators identified as Ogbodiegwu then allegedly approached him from behind and began stabbing him. Wimsatt attempted to fight off the attacker, but was unable to do so. The suspect allegedly wiped the knife and fled toward the park’s pool area.

Investigators later tracked the suspect to a nearby home. A search allegedly uncovered the clothing seen in the surveillance footage and a 5.5-inch knife with a wooden handle. The affidavit says the sweatpants contained red stains and the knife tested presumptively positive for blood. When questioned, Ogbodiegwu allegedly acknowledged that a photograph from the crime scene showed him but claimed he had not been at the park. He then allegedly told investigators he had a twin brother but could not provide the supposed twin’s name.

Authorities have said Wimsatt and Ogbodiegwu did not know each other and that preliminary evidence indicated the attack was random. Ogbodiegwu, who has prior arrests in Williamson County dating back to 2017, remains jailed on $1 million bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 8.

More from this network:
Domains for Sale · GOTPeople.org · TheDSAPlatform · The Truth About Socialism

Donate to GOTPeople.org