Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: The Stalking of Joy Silverman

Imagine waking up each morning with a knot in your stomach—a sense of creeping dread. Imagine knowing that there is someone out there who is obsessed with you in the most unhealthy way imaginable. You are their full time job, the sole focus of their life. They’re always lurking there. Thinking of new ways to force their way into your most private spaces. They may call or text you incessantly. They may veer wildly back and forth between cajoling and threatening, between telling you how beautiful you are, and promising to gut you like a fish. They may post about you on social media—spreading lies, acting as though the two of you are intimately connected. People may believe them. They may communicate with your family, your friends, your employers, your colleagues. They may share humiliating stories or pictures. They may send you things, leave notes on your car or in your mailbox. They may vandalize your property—key your car, throw a rock through your window. They may hire someone to find information about you. They may follow you. You may or may not know they are there. They may threaten to kill you. They may do worse. According to the Stalking Resource Center at the National Center for Victims of Crime, 7.5 million people in the U.S. are stalked every year. For over 85% of them, the stalker is someone they know—for just under 15%, it’s a total stranger. And this one’s really scary: About 11% of stalking victims have been stalked for five years or more. Stalkers can have incredible staying power. People of all genders can be victims of stalking, and whether it results in violence or not, being stalked has a devastating effect on the victim. Today we’re going to tell you about one of the most fascinating, most bizarre stalking cases we’ve ever heard of. Sources:Double Life: The Shattering Affair Between Chief Judge Sol Wachtler and Socialite Joy Silverman, by Linda WolfeInvestigation Discovery's "Vanity Fair Confidential," Episode "Love and Obsession"Follow us, campers!Patreon (join to get all episodes ad-free, a day early, an extra episode a month, a free sticker and more!): https://patreon.com/TrueCrimeCampfireFacebook: True Crime CampfireInstagram: https://gramha.net/profile/truecrimecampfire/19093397079Twitter: @TCCampfire https://twitter.com/TCCampfireEmail: [email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-crime-campfire--4251960/support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices