This is the heartbreaking story of how Christina Grimmie was tragically killed by a fan obsessed with the young singer.
The 22-year-old singing sensation gained fame when she appeared on season six of The Voice in 2014, under the mentorship of Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine.
Although the New Jersey singer didn’t win the competition, she finished in third place and earned admiration from Levine and Lil Wayne, who both sought to sign her to their record labels.
Grimmie was on the path to stardom, even running a popular YouTube channel with 3.89 million subscribers, amassing over 688 million views.
However, her rising fame caught the attention of Kevin Loibl, from Orlando, Florida.
The 27-year-old lived with his family, who believed there were no indications that he might be mentally ill.
Despite this, Loibl had his room covered in tinfoil and always kept thick curtains drawn, citing an ‘aversion to light,’ according to his family.
They also admitted he lived ‘like a hermit.’
Loibl’s obsession with the singer began in 2015. A friend recounted to CNN how Loibl would “watch everything having to do with her” and spent “most of his waking hours” streaming videos of Grimmie or scrolling through her social media pages.
Loibl purchased tickets to see Grimmie perform in Orlando in 2016, without anyone realizing he had planned her murder in the days leading up to the event.
He visited a gun store and bought two guns, receiving the first on May 31, 2016, after a five-day wait, and the second on June 7, just three days before the concert.
Loibl then booked a hotel for $269 and arrived on June 9 with no luggage.
The hotel receptionist informed St. Petersburg police, “There was no luggage; no personal belongings visible and the bed looked as if he slept on top of the covers. In the trash, it appeared he had purchased some food from the hotel snack bar and ate it in his room.”
On June 10, the day of the concert, Grimmie stayed behind after the show to sign autographs for fans.
Just over 20 minutes later, Loibl finally got his opportunity to meet her.
As Grimmie went to hug him, he pulled out his gun and fired three shots into her head and chest. Her brother tackled him to the ground, but Loibl managed to break free and then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life.
Grimmie sadly died half an hour later from gunshot wounds to her chest and head.
The murder-suicide shocked the nation, prompting calls for increased security at performing arts venues.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center, or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.