Famous People Who Were Killed by Their Own Fans
Sometimes fandom is more than just a hobby. If you aren't careful, it can become a full-blown obsession. And for some fans, obsession can lead to something much worse: murder.
These celebrities received the wrong kind of love and devotion from their fans.
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John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more
On the evening of December 8, 1980, the former Beatle was shot by Mark David Chapman outside of Lennon's apartment in New York City. Chapman approached him, asked for an autograph, and then later shot him in the back and on his shoulder.
Chapman was a Beatles fan earlier in his life but then became enraged by Lennon's "more popular than Jesus" statement, and especially by the lyrics of Lennon's later songs, which he thought were hypocritical. In addition, Chapman targeted Lennon because he thought it would make him famous. He got infamy instead.
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Christina Grimmie
Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12, 1994 - June 10, 2016), known on YouTube as zeldaxlove64, was an American singer-songwriter. She rose to prominence by posting covers of popular songs and gained wider recognition as a finalist on season 6 of The Voice in 2014.... read more
Kevin James Loibl was a loner who had grown psychotically attached to Grimmie. He would watch her videos on YouTube non-stop and even tried to alter his appearance to look good for her. Angered after a friend pointed out that it was highly unlikely for him to win Grimmie's heart, he decided to meet her.
When Grimmie opened her arms to give him a hug, Loibl shot the singer. He thought that if he couldn't have her, nobody could. Grimmie's brother was at the event and tackled the man, but Loibl managed to escape, only to shoot himself dead right after.
Definitely one of the saddest in my opinion, considering just how horrible the story is and how talented she was.
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Dimebag Darrell
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter. He co-founded the bands Pantera and Damageplan with his brother Vinnie Paul. Abbott was tragically shot and killed during a performance in 2004 by a mentally unstable fan.
On December 8, 2004, a deranged Pantera fan named Nathan Gale shot Dimebag Darrell multiple times while Darrell was performing on stage. Gale blamed Darrell for the breakup of his former band, Pantera. He also believed Pantera had stolen his lyrics and that its members were attempting to steal his identity.
Gale killed even more people during that concert. Not more famous people, but still... it's just shocking. Also, rest in peace, Dime.
Greatest guitarist of my generation!
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Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales (born Lady Diana Frances Spencer. July 1, 1961 - August 31, 1997), was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II. She was the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.... read more
Diana wasn't quite killed by her own fans but rather by the paparazzi, who were technically fans that only wanted to make money off of her.
Their selfishness ended the life of someone so beloved, who could have helped millions thanks to her fame even to this day. The true blame for her death lies with both the driver and the paparazzi, but it was still extremely tragic.
Princess Diana died in a car crash, and the cause of the crash is officially blamed on the driver. However, many put the paparazzi to blame for causing the accident as they frequently followed Princess Diana's car. It is thought that the driver was just trying to stay away from the photographers.
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Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, actress, and fashion designer. Known as the Queen of Tejano music, she was one of the most celebrated Mexican-American entertainers of the late 20th century. She was tragically murdered in 1995 at the age of 23.
One of the most tragic and shocking celebrity deaths of all time.
Selena's father and manager, Abraham Quintanilla, appointed Yolanda Saldívar as president of Selena's fan club in 1991 after she constantly begged Selena's family to let her start one. Soon, Saldívar became Selena's friend and eventually became manager of Selena's boutiques.
But it came out that Saldívar had been embezzling money from the fan club, and she was fired as a result. Some time later, she lured Selena into a motel room with a story that she had been raped and needed her help, and then shot Selena in the back.
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Mikhail Lermontov
Artist Mikhail Lermontov was killed in a duel in 1841 by his friend and admirer, Nikolai Martynov. Lermontov teased Martynov relentlessly until the latter couldn't stand it anymore. He then challenged his friend to a duel. However, during the face-off, Martynov aimed straight for the heart.
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Rebecca Schaeffer
Rebecca Schaeffer was shot in her apartment by an obsessed fan, Robert John Bardo, who had been stalking her for three years. He had written her numerous letters and even tried to get on set several times to meet with her. After watching a scene of Schaeffer in bed with a male actor on the film "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills," Bardo became enraged and decided to pay her a visit.
He ambushed her when she answered the door. She told him to go away, and he did, but returned afterward with a gun and shot Schaeffer in the chest.
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Andrés Escobar
Whenever I am reminded of this, it always fills me with grief and pain. How great and divine he really was. How much he loved his country, with eyes on the stars and hope within. The beautiful life he had and how it was taken from him…
In 1994, Andrés Escobar accidentally scored an own goal during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, leading to the team being eliminated. Five days later, a group of men shot and killed Escobar. It was reported that the killer shouted "Goal!" after each shot, in reference to the shot he scored on his own team.
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Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar (July 12/13, 100 BC - March 15, 44 BC), commonly known as Julius Caesar, was a Roman politician, military general, and author. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. His writings, military campaigns, and political reforms had... read more
He was stabbed by his longtime friend (along with many others), Brutus (he did this to prove his loyalty). Brutus killed himself afterward.
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Albert Ebossé Bodjongo
Albert Ebossé, a soccer player, died at the hands of fans after a match on August 23, 2014, in Algeria. After losing the match in a game between JSK and USM Alger, he and his teammates left the field. The players were showered by projectiles thrown by angry fans, and one struck Ebossé on the head. The object supposedly dented his skull, resulting in his death.
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Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola on August 6, 1928, and died on February 22, 1987, was an American artist and a leading figure in the Pop art movement. His works often explored the connections between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and mass advertising. Warhol's most iconic pieces include his... read more