309. Behind Her Music: Coles Whalen v. The Stalker

Singer-songwriter Coles Whalen never met her stalker — but for more than six years, he was everywhere. Hiding behind anonymous accounts, a man sent thousands of messages, fixating on Coles's music, her personal life, and eventually her family. What began online escalated into a pattern of harassment that reshaped her daily life — forcing her to change routines, cancel shows, and live under constant fear. Coles eventually found herself at the center of a landmark legal battle — one that would challenge how the justice system defines stalking in the digital age. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] GUEST LINKS Coles Whalen https://www.coleswhalen.com/ https://www.instagram.com/coleswhalen/# https://www.tiktok.com/@coleswhalen "Stronger" on Spotify OTHER LINKS The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000  

Rhonda met a patron at a local tavern. She never dated him, never gave him her number, never had any kind of relationship with him. But none of that mattered to him. He decided she was his, and he's been hunting her ever since. For more than thirty years, Rhonda has endured letters, threats, and sudden, terrifying appearances. And every time she went to the police for help, she heard the same response: "No—he hasn't hurt you." That was true until the day she finally fought back. But instead of arresting him, the police arrested her. What followed feels like something out of a movie—a train, a near-death moment, and even a diamond ring. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000

An L.A. based podcast brought to you by two forensic psychologists who dissect the intersections where true crime, forensic psychology, and entertainment meet. Episode Description: Crazy In Love: Erotomania Dr. Scott & Dr. Shiloh get into the subcategory of Delusional Disorder, Erotomania; to have the delusional or false belief of a secret or known admirer. This disorder is often the trigger for obsessive celebrity stalkers and has been the cause for numerous violent acts. The docs explore the origin, criteria, and research of this rare phenomenon and cover the cases of John Hinkley Jr., Margaret Mary Ray, and the shooter who killed rising star Christina Grimmie. Related episode: Stalking: The Crime of the 90's https://anchor.fm/lansc/episodes/25--Stalking-The-Crime-of-the-90s-e537ff Donate to the Christina Grimmie Foundation here: https://christinagrimmiefoundation.org/ Mentions: Lenora Consulting LLC https://www.lenoraclairellc.com/ 10ish Podcast https://www.10ishpod.com/ Resources Braun, Claude, and Sabrina Suffren. "A General Neuropsychological Model of Delusion." ResearchGate, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), Mar. 2010, www.researchgate.net/publication/41670340_A_general_neuropsychological_model_of_delusion. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Brüne, Martin. "Erotomanic Stalking in Evolutionary Perspective." Behavioral Sciences & the Law, vol. 21, no. 1, 16 Dec. 2002, pp. 83–88, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12579619/#:~:text=Erotomania%2C%20the%20delusion%20of%20being,concerning%20prevalence%20rates%20and%20behavior.&text=The%20evolutionary%20perspective%20may%20provide,understanding%20of%20forensically%20relevant%20behaviors., 10.1002/bsl.518. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Christina Grimmie: The Murder of a Rising Star. Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2018, disc 1-2. Podcast. "De Clerambault Syndrome (Erotomania) in the Criminal Justice System: Another Look at This Recurring Problem | Office of Justice Programs." Ojp.gov, 2021, www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/de-clerambault-syndrome-erotomania-criminal-justice-system-another. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Ghosh, Tulika, and Minkesh Chowdhary. De Clerambault Syndrome: Current Perspective. Www.intechopen.com, IntechOpen, 12 May 2021, www.intechopen.com/chapters/72361. Accessed 27 Nov. 2021. Hayes, Crystal. "Forgotten Story of Singer's Legacy, Man Who Killed Her." Courier-Post, 18 Dec. 2016, www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2016/12/18/forgotten-story-christina-grimmie-and-man-who-killed-her/95585040/. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not. Directed by Laetitia Colombani, Samuel Goldwyn Films, 2003. Harmon RB;Rosner R;Owens H. "Obsessional Harassment and Erotomania in a Criminal Court Population." Journal of Forensic Sciences, vol. 40, no. 2, 2011, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7602275/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. "How History Changed Anita Hill (Published 2019)." The New York Times, 2021, www.nytimes.com/2019/06/17/us/anita-hill-women-power.html. Accessed 27 Nov. 2021. Jamaluddin, Ruzita. "Same Gender Erotomania: When the Psychiatrist Became the Delusional Theme—a Case Report and Literature Review." Case Reports in Psychiatry, vol. 2021, 1 Sept. 2021, p. e7463272, www.hindawi.com/journals/crips/2021/7463272/, 10.1155/2021/7463272. Kelly, B. D., et al. "Delusion and Desire: Erotomania Revisited." Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, vol. 102, no. 1, July 2000, pp. 74–76, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10892614/, 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.102001074.x. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Meloy, J. CASE REPORT Erotomania, Triangulation, and Homicide. "Risk Factors for Stalking Violence, Persistence, and Recurrence." The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 2017, www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14789949.2016.1247188?journalCode=rjfp20&. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Safeekh, AT, and Denzil Pinto. "Venlafaxine-Induced Psychotic Symptoms." Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 51, no. 4, 2009, p. 308, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2802382/, 10.4103/0019-5545.58301. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021. Sederholm, Jillian. "Gunman Who Killed 'the Voice' Singer Had Extra Ammo, Knife: Police." NBC News, 11 June 2016, www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/voice-singer-christina-grimmie-shot-after-florida-concert-n590161. Accessed 27 Nov. 2021. Shanee Edwards. "I Just Discovered the Crazy World of Erotomania Thanks to HBO's Confirmation." SheKnows, SheKnows, 17 Apr. 2016, www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1119045/erotomania-and-confirmation-hbo/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2021.

Claire had barely settled into her new life across the country when the stalking began—launched by a woman she had never even met. A single DM spiraled into relentless messages, emails, and voicemails, each one proving her every online move was being monitored in real time. The harassment soon reached her workplace, and the interstate, fully virtual nature of the stalking made getting help feel impossible. Everything changed when a dispatcher finally recognized the severity of the evidence she'd been documenting, leading to an arrest warrant, an out-of-state arrest, and extradition. Now, Claire has ended the relationship, gone no-contact, and is rebuilding her life after the emotional and financial fallout.  HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000  

When it comes to stalking, obsession, and criminal psychology, few understand both sides like Dr. Shiloh. She's a California-licensed psychologist working with Los Angeles law enforcement on clinical support, crisis negotiation, and the psychological toll of the job. Before that, she was Officer Shiloh — a patrol cop, background investigator, and terrorism liaison. Now a forensic psychologist, she specializes in high-risk offenders and the minds behind violent crime, with over a decade studying why people cross the line and how victims can protect themselves. Today, she's here to break down how stalkers think — and what survivors need to know to stay safe. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] GUEST LINKS https://www.instagram.com/lanotsopodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/LAnotsoconfidential https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtvmmYgrZ-hSbw7sWuzC9rQ?view_as=subscriber https://www.la-not-so-confidential.com/ https://www.patreon.com/join/lanotsopodcast  OTHER LINKS Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000  

When Timothy divorced his ex-husband, he thought the nightmare was finally over. But it was only the beginning. The messages started first — threats that crept into every corner of his life. Then came the hacking, the impersonation, the total loss of privacy. And his stalker didn't stop with him. He went after Timothy's family, his friends… even tampered with his mother's medical care — determined to destroy everything that mattered. Now, Timothy is speaking out. He's sharing how his ex turned technology into a weapon — and how he's fighting to take his life back. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000  

For years, Bailee has been hunted by a man who refuses to let her go. He's torn apart her home, attacked her friends, and forced her child to grow up in constant fear. No matter how far she ran, he always found her. But Bailee refused to break. Now a wife and mother, she's still standing — proof that survival is stronger than obsession. Bailee is speaking out to set the record straight: stalking isn't about love, or persistence. It's about power, control… and the fight to stay alive. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000  

When the messages started, Kate felt a chill she couldn't explain. Anonymous threats. Cryptic notes. Someone out there was watching her — or so she thought. Each message pulled her deeper into fear and confusion. Her friends were being dragged into it, her life unraveling one text at a time. But the truth was far darker than she imagined. The person tormenting her wasn't a stranger hiding in the shadows…it was someone much closer. Now, Kate's telling her story — how she uncovered the horrifying secret that her stalker was the man she thought she loved. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000

The Knife is a weekly true crime podcast from producers Hannah Smith and Patia Eaton. You might remember Hannah as the original host of The Opportunist! The Knife is a show about people who've been dropped into a story they didn't start, but are left to finish. In-depth interviews take the listener behind the punchy headlines to hear what really happened from the people who lived it. The Knife reveals the ripple effect of crime. Through empathetic, solution-oriented journalism, Hannah and Patia find the untold stories of people who've been touched by crime. Episode description: Patia and Hannah speak with Cassie, who attended a Halloween party at an Oregon State University fraternity in 2008. The night started with costumes, loud music and a crowded basement full of college students. By the end of the night, Cassie was in the ER, holding a bag that contained her bloodstained costume. She soon found herself in a police interview recounting what happened. The state brought charges, and the case went to trial. Cassie's story is a personal account of navigating the legal system after reporting a rape. She did everything "right" but still faced a long, painful process. Her experience echoes the questions we've wrestled with in high-profile campus sexual assault cases: What does justice actually look like?  Links: Apple Podcasts Spotify Instagram

When Joseph became the target of a cunning stalker, he had no idea who was behind it. The stalker was a master manipulator — framing others, spinning lies, and weaving himself deeper and deeper into Joseph's life, all while remaining unseen. By the time the truth came to light, the reveal shocked everyone. The stalker was finally arrested — but freedom only fueled his obsession. That's when a stranger named Matt entered the picture. At first, their lives had nothing to do with each other… until Matt uncovered something chilling: the stalker's own confession. What happened next would unravel the web of deceit, connect two men who had never met, and expose a relentless predator — bringing him, at last, to justice. HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED STALKING?  LET US KNOW: [email protected] OTHER LINKS The Last Trip - Podcast - hosted by Jaimie Beebe Listen & Subscribe to The Last Trip - https://audioboom.com/channels/5119581-the-last-trip Follow The Last Trip on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thelasttripcrimepod/ And Subscribe for all the updates on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheLastTripPodcast lovelustfear | hosted by Jake Deptula Apple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lovelustfear/id1735876283?uo=4 Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/0e3ndcf5u8lZ5lhN1lvWec Amazon Music | https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b06d0ea8-cb29-4c3a-98e6-0249d84df748 Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/lovelustfearpod/ Submissions | https://lovelustfear.aidaform.com/lovelustfear Instagram: @strictlystalkingpod @feathergirl77 @jaked3000