A Short Recap of the Stalking…

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Back in August of 2011, when our 19-year-old daughter, Morgan, was being stalked, we had no idea what to do or where to turn. 

  • Stalking fact: More than all victims of stalking indicated that they were stalked before the age of 25, and nearly 1 in 4 were stalked before the age of 18.
  • We did not know why or who was doing this. In my naivety, I thought only famous people were stalked. Our daughter was scared; we were scared for her, and also very angry, only wanting to protect and keep her safe.
  • For 4 months, we did not have a full night’s sleep. The stalker kept waking us up. We were afraid to leave the house unoccupied, fearing the stalker would break in while we were gone. Morgan was afraid to go outside without pepper spray for fear of being assaulted, especially after dark. Morgan was afraid of going to bed and having her stalker hide under her bed, so she took her bed off the frame and dropped it onto the floor so there was nowhere to hide… We all became hyper-vigilant, always looking over our shoulders, anticipating every vulnerability.
  • We did everything we could think of to keep her safe. We set up safety protocols, put up cameras, motion detectors, and called the sheriff’s office at all times of the day & night, every time something happened. I kept a detailed log of every incident. It became a felony stalking case, but after only 4 months, she was found dead, and my world was shattered. I was no longer the same, and never would be again. There are no words to explain the feeling of losing a child and feeling like there had to be something else I could have done to save her. Morgan was now a victim of stalking, and my husband and I were left to be the survivors of that stalking.

We Lived in Constant Fear—The Physical and Emotional Toll of Being Hypervigilant 24/7

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Morgan was afraid to go outside without pepper spray—especially after dark—because she feared she would be assaulted.

She was even afraid to sleep in her own bed, terrified that her stalker might be hiding underneath it. Eventually, she removed the bed frame and placed her mattress directly on the floor so there would be nowhere for anyone to hide.

We became hypervigilant—constantly looking over our shoulders, listening for every sound, and trying to anticipate every possible vulnerability.

The emotional and physical toll was almost impossible to describe. Unless you have lived through that kind of relentless fear—inside the very place where you are supposed to feel safest—you cannot fully understand what it does to a person.

This is the reality of stalking. It does not merely frighten its victims. It steals their sleep, their freedom, their sense of safety, and their peace.

It Is NOT The Victim’s Fault

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IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!

Stalking is a crime of power and control.

Many victims minimize what’s happening, just like Morgan did

Always trust your instincts

Did you know stalking is often underreported?

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Sharing this video/podcast from The Security Nurse Podcast Website:thesecuritynursepodcast.com with her interview with Dr. Nathan Brooks about stalking. Website: https://www.drnathanbrooks.com

This is a very informative discussion, and one that I think is important to listen to. Let me know what you think.

They wrote in the description: In this conversation, Dr. Nathan Brooks, a forensic psychologist, discusses the complexities of stalking, particularly in healthcare settings. He defines stalking as a form of targeted violence and explores its various characteristics, types of stalkers, and the psychological factors that drive such behavior. In this conversation, Sarah-Marie Baumgartner and Nathan Brooks discuss the complexities of stalking, particularly in healthcare settings, and the importance of understanding the context and motivations behind stalking incidents. Dr. Brooks emphasizes the need for effective threat assessment and victim support to address this multifaceted issue. They explore the vulnerabilities of survivors and perpetrators, and the need for structured care plans. The discussion also highlights the evolving nature of stalking in the digital age, the significance of early intervention, and the necessity of educating both victims and the public about stalking behaviors. This is an episode for anyone wanting to learn more about stalking and how to manage the situation.

 

I Chose To Fight…

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“If you don’t fight for your rights, you won’t be able to help others fight for their own.” – Unknown

I chose to fight for justice for my daughter Morgan. I will keep fighting for her and for other victims of stalking and murder.

But I need to be honest: I cannot fight at full strength every day. Sometimes I am weary. Sometimes life becomes too much, and I have to step back. I rest, gather my strength, and return when I can.

It has taken me 15 years to understand that taking a break does not mean giving up. A day, a week, a month, or even a few years away from the fight does not erase why you began.

Fighting for what is right takes courage. So does knowing when you need to breathe.

I will never give up on Morgan. I may need to rest, but I will never stop fighting for her.

So my message today is this: Rest when you need to. Gather your strength. Just never stop fighting.