Arrested Oregon Man Charged with Stalking UConn Star Paige Bueckers
An Oregon man, Robert Cole Parmalee, 40, has been arrested and charged with breach of peace, electronic stalking, and harassment of UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers. Parmalee, who is currently being held on $100,000 bond, has sparked widespread concern and fear due to his alarming behavior towards the talented athlete. A Connecticut court has issued protected and no-contact orders for Bueckers in a bid to ensure her safety from the relentless harassment she has faced at the hands of Parmalee.
According to police reports, Parmalee’s disturbing obsession with Bueckers culminated in his arrest on Aug. 27 when he was found walking on a highway near Hartford, Connecticut. It was during this encounter that officers discovered Parmalee had an outstanding warrant in Oregon related to a previous incident in which he was accused of setting a house on fire. What is truly chilling is that Parmalee confessed to the arresting officers that he was on his way to see Bueckers, claiming to have an engagement ring and lingerie in his possession, indicating a delusional and dangerous fixation on the basketball star.
Initially set to be extradited to Oregon, UConn police intervened after being notified that the charges against Parmalee in Oregon were going to be dismissed. Subsequently, a warrant was served on Parmalee on Friday in relation to his obsessive stalking and harassment of Bueckers, shedding light on the severity of his disturbing behavior towards the young athlete.
Parmalee’s troubling actions began as early as February when he started sending videos via Instagram to Bueckers, despite receiving no response from her. This unsettling pattern continued as Parmalee proceeded to make numerous social media posts about Bueckers and even went as far as emailing the school’s communications department in June, signaling a persistent and escalating fixation on the basketball prodigy.
In a series of alarming posts uncovered by the Associated Press, Parmalee made disturbing references to harming individuals associated with Bueckers, including her mother, and even alluded to extreme measures if he could not be with her. His threats and menacing language culminated in a post where he expressed his intention to visit UConn with a chilling message directed at Bueckers, further exacerbating fears for her safety and well-being.
A UConn police officer detailed in an affidavit the concerning behavior exhibited by Parmalee, noting a consistent and escalating effort to target Bueckers and those close to her through electronic postings and threats. This sustained campaign of harassment has undoubtedly caused emotional distress to Bueckers and those around her, highlighting the urgent need for legal intervention to protect her from further harm.
Parmalee’s next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 22, where the full extent of his charges and the impact of his actions on Bueckers will be further scrutinized. In the meantime, Bueckers’ attorneys and a UConn spokesperson have declined to comment on the matter, underscoring the seriousness and sensitivity of the situation surrounding the star athlete and the ongoing legal proceedings against Parmalee.
As UConn prepares to kick off its season on Nov. 7 against Boston University, the safety and well-being of Bueckers remain a top priority for the university and its community. Despite the challenges posed by Parmalee’s disturbing behavior, Bueckers continues to showcase her exceptional talent on the court, positioning herself as a frontrunner for the prestigious Naismith Player of the Year award and a likely top pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft.
Conclusion:
The case of Robert Cole Parmalee’s stalking and harassment of UConn star Paige Bueckers serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by obsessive and threatening behavior towards public figures. The legal actions taken against Parmalee underscore the gravity of his actions and the need to protect individuals like Bueckers from such alarming threats. As the legal proceedings unfold and Bueckers continues to excel in her basketball career, it is essential for authorities and the community to remain vigilant and proactive in safeguarding her safety and well-being.