An Indiana man is accused of stalking and threatening Taylor Swift, her family and crew, at one point writing that the pop star “deserves to be shot,” the South Bend Tribune reports.
Authorities allege that 36-year-old Mitchell Taebel of Long Beach, Indiana, engaged in the disturbing activity between March and May, showing up at the singer’s homes and concerts, sending intimidating messages, and posting troubling material on social media.
On March 25, Taebel allegedly sent images of weapons to Swift’s staff and threatened to “destroy them,” according to WGN-TV.
Taebel is accused of leaving a message with Swift’s father five days later in which he claimed to be Swift’s “soulmate” and “is the only one that can make her secure,” according to WLS-TV.
A dancer on Swift’s tour also received a threatening Instagram message from Taebel, who allegedly posted an image of someone shooting a gun at a firing range and wrote “if today there is the sexual performance of Vigilant s**t, you can be sure that we will destroy you and all the other dancers and (Swift) too, I think you know what happened to Joe Alwyn,” according to WGN-TV.
The message appears to reference Swift’s song entitled “Vigilante Sh*t”; Alwyn is Swift’s former boyfriend.
Taebel also reached out to multiple governor’s offices and claimed that his presidential campaign would be included in Swift’s Eras Tour. He further is accused of leaving a voicemail with Swift’s management company stating that the two need to meet and would “wear a bomb on his chest,” WGN-TV reports.
Investigators allege that Taebel posted threatening videos on Instagram, with the caption of one video stating that Swift “deserves to be shot.” He also has a YouTube page claiming that he and Swift are getting married.
One day before Swift’s show in Nashville, Taebel allegedly was able to gain access to the signer’s condominium building and told security that he was a “great-looking, well-dressed, popular TV host” and wanted to see Swift, WGN-TV reports. Police were called, but Taebel left the building before officers showed up.
Taebel was able to enter Swift’s concert the following day, despite being on a security threat list. Guards recognized him later when he was situated in an area performers would use to get to the stage.
After Taebel was escorted out of the building, he allegedly posted a video on Instagram admitting that he visited Swift’s condo building. He is said to have used the N-word multiple times in the recording.
“I went to [Swift’s] apartment complex and anybody in my opinion that thinks it is illegal in any way to go to somebody’s apartment to see if they want to meet should be killed. They should die of a heart attack on a spot,” Taebel allegedly said, according to WGN-TV.
“She had no idea a white man would come in there and talk to (Swift) like I did.”
Representatives of Swift obtained a temporary restraining order against Taebel, and when he published more videos, the restraining order was extended.
Prosecutors have charged Taebel with stalking by threatening serious injury or death, intimidation, invasion of privacy, and harassment, according to WNDU-TV. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody on $15,000 bail.
Taebel is scheduled to appear in court again on July 27.
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[Feature Photo: Taylor Swift performs during “The Eras Tour” on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)]
