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.
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age... 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.
Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12th 1994 - June 10th 2016), known on YouTube as zeldaxlove64, was an American singer-songwriter known for participating in The Voice and for her covers of hit songs by contemporary pop musicians. She was shot dead during a meet-and-greet in Orlando, Florida, by fan... 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.
Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot 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!
Diana, Princess of Wales (born Lady Diana Frances Spencer; 1 July 1961 - 31 August 1997), was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, who is the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II, and the mother of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex... read more 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.
Technically yes, but the paparazzi are fake fans who only like money.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, actress, and fashion designer. One of the most tragic and shocking celebrity deaths of all time.
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.
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.
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.
Gaius Julius Caesar, known by his cognomen Julius Caesar, was a Roman politician and military general who played a critical role in the events that led to the demise of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He was stabbed by his longtime friend (along with many others), Brutus (he did this to prove his loyalty). Brutus killed himself afterward.
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.
Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola (August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987) was an American artist who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as Pop art. His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertising that flourished by the 1960s.