River Dave Gets Unexpected Gift From Tech Billionaire After Mysterious Fire Takes His Home


River Dave, a recluse who lives in New Hampshire, received a $180,000 check from a tech tycoon after a blaze engulfed his home after being accused of squatting, according to local news outlets

The Associated Press reported that New Hampshire resident David Lidstone had been living in a small cabin he built on his family’s land near the Merrimack River for 27 years. He was imprisoned on July 17.

Lidstone was ordered released from prison on August 4th if one of the following occurred: The cabin was demolished, he agreed to leave the land, or 30 days have passed since his first arrest, according to the Associated Press. The same day he appeared in court, a fire broke out and burned down Lidstone’s cabin. The source of the fire is unknown.

David Lidstone received a $180,000 cheque from Palantir Technologies CEO and millionaire Alexander Karp on August 11 for the reconstruction of his cabin, the Concord Monitor reported.

“How can I express myself and my gratitude towards something like that? I start to tear up whenever I think about it,” Lidstone told the Monitor. “For an old logger who always had to work, for anyone to give you that type of money, it’s incredibly difficult for me to get my head around.”

Lidstone was taken into custody in New Hampshire on July 15 and was charged with trespassing after being illegally living in a riverfront cottage for the past 27 years, the Associated Press said.

A close friend of Lidstone, Jodie Gedeon, posted a message on Facebook announcing the donation, saying that the old cabin will be River Dave’s temporary home until the new one is completed, according to the Monitor.

Karp co-founded Palantir Technologies in 2003, a technology company that develops data mining technologies used by governments and corporations. Estimated net worth: Forbes pegs Karp’s net worth at $2.2 billion.

“I truly believe it’s in Mr. Karp’s nature to do this,” Gedeon said. “He is a sincere person [who] cares about others. He has humanity; he does the right thing.”

Previous Australian Government Arrests Hundreds For Protesting Against This Looming Threat
Next Biden Administration Planning On Launching Airstrikes To Destroy U.S. Military Equipment