Man Stalks Actress Eva LaRue and Daughter for 12 Years as ‘Freddie Krueger’

The traumatic experience of stalking has deeply impacted actress Eva LaRue and her daughter, Kaya Callahan. For over a decade, they endured frightening threats from a stalker who adopted the moniker “Freddie Krueger.” This name references the infamous horror movie character from *A Nightmare on Elm Street*, which adds a chilling context to their ordeal.

Background of the Stalking Case

This saga began in 2007, shortly after LaRue joined the cast of *CSI: Miami*. At the time, LaRue was a single mother to her then five-year-old daughter, Kaya. It wasn’t long before she began receiving letters that escalated from unsettling fan mail to graphic threats involving rape, torture, and murder. LaRue described these communications as “the most heinous, most deplorable, most sickening, most terrifying.”

Escalation of Threats

• Initial letters came via her manager and publicist.
• Threats became increasingly violent over time.
• First major warning: “I am going to instill fear into every part of your life.”

Initially, LaRue perceived the situation as a prank. However, the reality began to hit when the stalker’s threats intensified, especially when Kaya became a target. To protect her daughter, LaRue installed security cameras in their home and sought to shield Kaya from the harsh realities of the threats.

Impact on Family

Kaya, now 23, shared her feelings about the stalking incidents. “Because my mom kept so much hidden, I didn’t know much about it,” she said in the docuseries titled *My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story*, which will premiere on November 13 on Paramount+. “It was like reliving it and yet experiencing it for the very first time.”

Attempts to Escape

The stalking continued relentlessly, despite LaRue and Kaya moving three times to evade their tormentor. The situation reached a dangerous climax in 2019, when the stalker attempted to impersonate Kaya’s father to abduct her from school. LaRue quickly realized the severity of the threat and rushed to protect her daughter.

Resolution and Arrest

Authorities finally made a breakthrough later that year. DNA collected from one of the troubling letters matched 61-year-old James David Rogers from Ohio. His arrest marked the end of the 12-year harassment. In 2022, Rogers pleaded guilty to federal stalking charges and received a sentence of 40 months in prison.

• Kaya expressed relief after Rogers’ arrest, stating it felt very freeing.
• LaRue has since become an advocate for stalking victims.

Advocacy and Awareness

LaRue aims to raise awareness about the necessity for stronger laws to protect all stalking victims, not just celebrities. She emphasizes that the threat of stalking is pervasive, extended even through social media platforms. “We want to help everybody who’s being stalked and instill some hope,” she stated.

The docuseries, *My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story*, is set to provide further insight into their harrowing experience and the ongoing issue of stalking. It is scheduled for release on November 13 on Paramount+, aiming to shed light on this serious topic.