"Remembering Rebecca Schaeffer: A Story of Talent, Obsession, and Tragedy"

During the peak of her career in the summer of 1989, Rebecca Schaeffer, a 21-year-old Hollywood actress and model, was thriving. With her leading role in the popular TV series My Sister Sam and a new part in The Godfather: Part III, she was at the top of her game. However, on July 18th of that year, Rebecca's life was devastatingly and abruptly ended.

In her West Hollywood apartment, Rebecca Schaeffer received an unexpected visitor at her front door on that fateful day. The visitor turned out to be Robert John Bardo, a 19-year-old obsessed fan who had been relentlessly stalking her for months. Without warning, Robert drew out a firearm and shot Rebecca in the chest, causing her death on the spot at the entrance of her own home.

Robert John Bardo had developed an infatuation with Rebecca Schaeffer after watching her on television, leading him to send her several letters and gifts over the course of three years. He went as far as showing up at the set of My Sister Sam with a teddy bear and a bouquet of roses, hoping to meet Rebecca in person. However, his efforts were futile as he was denied entry by the security personnel present.

Robert John Bardo's obsession with Rebecca Schaeffer turned into violent rage when she appeared in a sexual scene in a movie. He expressed his anger, calling her "no different than all the other bitches" in Hollywood. Robert asked his brother to buy him a firearm and hired a private investigator to obtain Rebecca's address, which he obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Subsequently, it was disclosed that Robert John Bardo had been motivated to murder Rebecca Schaeffer by the controversial novel The Catcher in the Rye, penned by J.D. Salinger, a cult classic in its own right. The protagonist of the novel, Holden Caulfield, had become an emblem of adolescent turmoil and dissent.

In the novel, Holden fails out of school, is apathetic toward the future, spends time in psychiatric facilities, and is overly judgemental of others. He finds most people to be “phony” and is unable to connect with them.

Robert John Bardo, who suffered from both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had a history of dropping out of high school and being frequently admitted to mental health facilities during his youth. He found a kindred spirit in Holden, the protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye, and carried a copy of the book with him to the scene of the murder. In a symbolic gesture, he discarded the book on the roof before fleeing after fatally shooting Rebecca Schaeffer.

In 1980, Mark David Chapman carried a copy of The Catcher in the Rye when he assassinated John Lennon, whom he viewed as a "phony" person. Likewise, Robert John Bardo deemed Rebecca Schaeffer "phony" due to her treatment of him, her self-proclaimed "fan," and her participation in a sexual scene. Robert corresponded with Mark, inquiring about life behind bars, before committing the murder.

Robert was found guilty of committing first-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole. He is currently being held in a California prison.

Rebecca Schaeffer's tragic murder sparked a public outcry regarding the issues of privacy infringement and gun control. The incident highlighted the hazards of being a public figure. As a result, the United States Congress passed the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, which prevents the disclosure of home addresses by state Departments of Motor Vehicles. Additionally, anti-stalking laws were implemented for the first time in certain states.

Rebecca Schaeffer was raised in Oregon as an only child to her parents, Danna and Benson Schaeffer. Danna was a writer, while Benson was a child psychologist. At 16, Rebecca left home to pursue an acting career, which her parents supported. When Rebecca's photo graced the cover of Seventeen magazine, her parents proudly carried a copy and showed it off to their friends and family.

Rebecca's parents, Danna and Benson Schaeffer, were determined to keep her memory alive. Danna took acting classes and wrote a one-woman show called "You in Midair," which was based on Rebecca's life, dreams, and goals. This was a way for them to feel closer to their daughter. Rebecca is fondly remembered as a strong and lively young woman who had a brave soul.