Milton William “Bill” Cooper (May 6, 1943 – November 5, 2001) was an American patriot, radio broadcaster, Vietnam veteran, and author known for his 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, in which he warned of multiple global conspiracies, some involving extraterrestrial life. Cooper also described HIV/AIDS as a man-made disease used to target blacks, Hispanics, and homosexuals, and that a cure was made before it was implemented. Cooper described the Illuminati as a secret international organization, controlled by the Bilderberg Group, that conspired with the Knights of Columbus, Masons, Skull and Bones, and other organizations. Its ultimate goal, he said, was the establishment of a New World Order. Cooper was killed in 2001 by sheriff’s deputies after an attempted arrest which many believe was an execution.