Anthony Mehlhaff, the lead singer of the punk rock band “Cancer Christ,” went on a disturbing rampage across two California counties, starting at a restaurant in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County. He confronted a pregnant waitress, claiming that her baby belonged to him due to spirits leading him to her. After stealing drinks and assaulting another employee, Mehlhaff fled to Yosemite National Park where he eventually crashed his car in the Fish Camp area. He then stole a bicycle and entered the Tenaya Lodge, threatening workers with a knife before stripping down to his underwear and ordering customers to leave.
After assaulting and attempting to kidnap the manager, Mehlhaff stole a car and began driving back on Highway 41. He got involved in a road rage incident with a Tesla, tailgating and ramming into the car before being chased by sheriff’s deputies. Authorities eventually caught up with Mehlhaff after he crashed a stolen car in Oakhurst, detaining him and transporting him to a local hospital. Despite being medically cleared, Mehlhaff assaulted a sheriff’s deputy during the process and was then taken to the Mariposa County Jail where he is being held on a $100,000 bail.
Mehlhaff was charged with vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, first-degree burglary, and robbery, all of which are felonies. His band, “Cancer Christ,” mixes Christian, satanic, and other controversial imagery in their music. The band’s lead singer, who goes by the name of “Saint Anthony,” professes genuine religious belief and their music includes tracks with provocative titles such as “God Hates Cops,” “Satan is a B-tch,” and “God is Violence.” The band’s website, which is now private, described their mission as spreading the gospel through their unique brand of Reptilian Power Violence to make politicians, pedophiles, and police officers suffer slowly.
Mehlhaff’s behavior escalated as he left voicemails on his phone telling law enforcement and mental health specialists to “f–k off.” He is known for using outlandishly sacrilegious imagery in his music and self-identifies as “Saint Anthony” within the band. The album cover for their latest release depicts Jesus Christ shooting himself in the head with a shotgun. Despite the shocking content in their music, “Cancer Christ” continues to draw attention with their controversial themes and extreme behavior by their lead singer. As the investigation into Mehlhaff’s rampage continues, his actions have raised concerns about the potential dangers posed by individuals who glorify violence and extremism in their art and actions.
