NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: An Indiana man has been apprehended and charged with stalking renowned pop sensation Taylor Swift at her Nashville, Tennessee residence. The individual, identified as Mitchell Taebel, 36, allegedly subjected Swift, 33, to weeks of disturbing online threats before his arrest on June 2.
Authorities swung into action after Taebel purportedly sent Swift's management team a series of menacing messages on March 25, accompanied by images of weapons, vowing to "destroy you." Five days later, Taebel even reached out to Swift's father, calling himself his daughter's "soulmate" and that “he is the only one that can make her secure,” as per WGNT-TV.
Mitchell Taebel's alarming threats
Taebel sent threatening messages to one of Swift's dancers via fake Instagram accounts on April 5. On the same day, he contacted the offices of several state governors, leaving them voicemails in which he announced he would campaign for the presidency along with Swift's Eras Tour. He mentioned that he and Swift had to meet, adding that he would "wear a bomb on his chest."
For weeks, Taebel continued with the threats as he posted a series of menacing videos aimed at the singer. One of these videos allegedly had a caption stating that Swift "deserves to be shot." The situation only got worse on May 5, the day preceding Swift's scheduled Nashville show.
Mitchell Taebel's disturbing break-in
Taebel made the journey from his residence in Long Beach to the building housing Swift's penthouse apartment, managing to gain entry through an unlocked door, as per official documents. Upon encountering a security guard, Taebel presented himself as a "great-looking, well-dressed, popular TV host" and asked if Swift was in. The security guard promptly alerted the police, but Taebel managed to flee before authorities arrived.
Despite being flagged as a "security threat/concern," Taebel managed to gain access to Swift's concert the following night. He reportedly found a spot within view of Swift's management and performers, but security recognized him and escorted him out of the venue. During intense questioning by security personnel, Taebel's "obsession" with the singer and his unwelcome visits to her residence came to light.
Mitchell Taebel's racist rant
Taebel eventually retreated to his Long Beach home, where he unleashed a racist rant on Instagram, confessing to his attempt to confront Swift at her home. “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,” he reportedly said on Instagram using the N-word multiple times in the tirade
Swift's management company obtained a temporary restraining order against Taebel in Nashville on May 11. The restraining order was subsequently extended when he persisted in posting numerous videos between May 16 and 18, with one allegedly containing a chilling statement that his “dying wish is that anyone who had anything to do with them not meeting should be executed.”
Taebel pleaded not guilty to various charges, including stalking, making threats of serious injury or death, intimidation, invasion of privacy, and harassment, on Tuesday, June 6. Jail records indicated that he was currently being held on a $15,000 bond in La Porte County Jail in Indiana, with a court appearance scheduled for July 27.
