Grimmie performing at a Christmas tree lighting in 2014
Editor’s Foreword: Having managed bands for several years, I witnessed first-hand how people could get totally enamored of those on the stage. Most stalkers “grew up” and out of the “love” but it is, sadly, a very common problem – when the “crush” starts controlling someone’s life. This CBS news story is long but provides some crucial information that many in our musical and arts community may be needing. Take the time to watch the whole show. We’ve only excerpted part of it here. Erin Moriarty reports on several celebrities whose lives have been changed – and damaged – by stalkers.
Rising star Christina Grimmie was killed by a stalker — Ivanka Trump has been stalked, too — “48 Hours” investigates the horrors of stalking and how CBS’ “NCIS” star Pauley Perrette is fighting to change the laws to protect victims
On June 10, 2016, Christina Grimmie reached out to her fans on the last leg of her multi-city concert tour with the band, Before You Exit.
Christina Grimmie video: Hey guys. What’s up. We’re in Orlando today. Please come to the show tonight if you live near Orlando, Florida.
“It’s very eerie to look at that now,” Bria Kelly said of the video. “I would give anything to go back to when I last saw her two days before it happened and warn her. I’d give anything to be able to do that.”
Christina’s close friend, singer Bria Kelly, will never get that chance.
Operator: Emergency 911
Caller: Somebody just, uh, opened fire at the Plaza Live… He shot at one of the singers… He shot three times.
“There were several panicked 911 calls,” said Lead Detective Michael Moreschi of the Orlando Police Department.
He says there was mass chaos with blood everywhere when first responders got to the scene.
“When they first walked in there was private citizens performing CPR upon a young lady,” the detective said.
That young lady was 22-year-old Christina Grimmie. She had just finished the concert.
“As she always did, she interacted with her fans after the show by signing autographs, taking pictures … while her brother, Marcus, sat just a few feet away from her … selling merchandise,” said Det. Moreschi.
In line to meet the singer was 27-year-old Kevin Loibl, who can be seen in a photograph, standing at the back of the theater. Eyewitnesses would later tell the detective he didn’t utter a word.
“He just waited in line. When it was his turn he just started shooting Christina,” said Det. Moreschi.
“The very first shot– struck Christina in the head, the gunpowder burnt the side of her head. So he was very close range when he fatally shot her,” Moreschi explained. “He just continued to fire at her as … she went down … She was shot once in the head and twice in the torso.”
“Marcus Grimmie … reacted by going after him … when the shooting started. And this guy backed up against a wall and shot himself in the head” Moreschi continued. “He was dead on the scene.”
“She had no clue that this man was stalking her over the internet who was coming here tonight or that she was in any danger at all,” the detective explained.
Christina Grimmie never thought of the internet as dangerous, but a place for a young girl with a big dream to sing her way onto the world stage; Just her, alone, from the safety of her bedroom in south Jersey.
“No electronics. Just a video camera and her. And you just saw the raw talent. And I was like, ‘this girl is really good,’” Tyler Ward said. “She’s not trying to perform or prove herself. It was just like she was her in her room. And people connected.”
Singer-songwriter Tyler Ward immediately recognized a kindred spirit.
“We had this bond growing in social media together, figuring it out together, being some of the very first people on a platform like YouTube, like Twitter, and figuring out, ‘OK. What are we — what are we doing.”
They became fast friends and made a video together, “How to Love.”
“And she was just blowin’ up,” said Ward.
“And when you say blowin’ up, what do you mean by that,” Moriarty asked.
“When I mean blowin up — she’s gainin’ fans quickly,” Ward explained.
“How many people are we talking about?”
“Millions and millions and millions of people,” said Ward.
“What was it about Christina Grimmie that drew people?” Moriarty asked.
“Wow. There was something about Christina that connected with people because it told people watching, ‘I might be able to do what she’s doing. She’s just a normal girl in a small town doin’ life, and people are noticing.’ And it gave ‘em hope,” Ward explained.
In 2011, the YouTube sensation started making a big splash in the real world. There was an appearance with Tyler on “Ellen” and a tour with Selena Gomez.
And then her big break: a coveted spot on the reality singing show, “The Voice.” Bria Kelly, also a contestant, remembers their first meeting.
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WHEN AN OBSESSION TURNS DEADLY
Singing sensation Christina Grimmie died the way she lived– with open arms, embracing her fans.
Christina Grimmie YouTube video: Each night I’ll be updating my Facebook and Twitter and telling you guys where the meet and greet is so you guys don’t get lost…”
“She was really great with her fans, every single one of them. She would never turn somebody away,” said Tyler Ward.
“I’ve heard of, like, stalkers. But I never heard of like someone who’s so infatuated with someone,” Bria Kelly said,” that they feel the need to end their life.”
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Read/watch the rest of the report at the link below:
Correspondent Erin Moriarty