‘Conspiracy theorist’ Max Azzarello, who burned himself to death outside Trump trial, was organ donor — kidneys already transplanted into 2 patients

Steve Janoski
·2 min read
Max Azzarelo's donated kidneys have already saved the lives of two people.
Max Azzarelo's donated kidneys have already saved the lives of two people.
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Max Azzarello, who burned himself to death Friday near the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is standing trial, was a registered organ donor whose kidneys have already been donated to two patients in need, according to an organization that coordinates transplants.

“Both of Mr. Azzarello’s kidneys were transplanted, and he was able to save two people’s lives on the national waitlist,” Leonard Achan, president of the nonprofit organ donation group LiveOnNY, said in a Sunday statement.

“We extend our deepest condolences to Mr. Azzarello’s family and friends during this difficult time,” he continued. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”

Max Azzarello, who died after self-immolating outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial, donated his kidneys after his death. Max Azzarello/Instagram
Max Azzarello, who died after self-immolating outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial, donated his kidneys after his death. Max Azzarello/Instagram
Azzarello’s organs have already saved two people on the national waitlist, according to a nonprofit. St. Johns County Sheriff's Office
Azzarello’s organs have already saved two people on the national waitlist, according to a nonprofit. St. Johns County Sheriff's Office

Azzarello, a 37-year-old from Florida described by friends as a brilliant man who descended into madness, died hours after setting himself on fire in the Collect Pond Park — across the street from where Trump’s hush money trial is taking place.

The self-described “investigative researcher” who wrote troves of posts about nonsensical conspiracy theories had traveled to New York City from Florida — without his family’s knowledge — and had been protesting in front of the courthouse where he bashed political leaders from both sides of the aisle.

“This extreme act of protest is to draw attention to an urgent and important discovery: We are victims of a totalitarian con, and our own government (along with many of their allies) is about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup,” Azzarello wrote in part of a rambling manifesto posted on his Substack page.

Cops swarmed the area after Azzarello’s shocking act, and an ambulance brought him to the burn unit in a nearby hospital.

He lingered for hours in critical condition before dying at about 10:30 p.m.

Friends described Azzarello as a troubled conspiracy theorist who was almost too smart. csuarez
Friends described Azzarello as a troubled conspiracy theorist who was almost too smart. csuarez

Friends described Azzarello — who grew up on the North Shore on Long Island — as a man prone to loneliness and vulnerable to conspiracy theories despite his overwhelming intelligence.

“He was the grandest man I ever met in my life and I adored him,” said family friend Jamie Black, 63, of Sea Cliff.

“He was brilliant and one of my closest friends. I am devastated.”

Azzarello was protesting both political parties before his death. Getty Images
Azzarello was protesting both political parties before his death. Getty Images

Despite his mental health issues, Azzarello was known for his caring, generous nature.

But he was still reeling from the 2022 death of his mother, and his psyche took a sharp downturn afterward, friends and sources said.

Cops in Florida had arrested Azzarello three times across several days in the Sunshine State last August on charges that included disturbing the peace and damage to property.