I was going to make this a five-part series, but realized four would do, so here's the conclusion of Rebecca Schaffer's murder by an obsessed fan, John Bardo.
Bardo was initially infatuated with pop stars Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. However, his obsession shifted tragically after he watched Rebecca Schaeffer's intimate scene in "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills." Dr. Kris Mohandie, a clinical police and forensic psychologist, described Bardo's disturbing thoughts: "'How dare she? She's supposed to stay innocent for me.' He decided, 'I’m going to punish you and permanently possess you by taking your life.'"
Even more disturbing was Bardo's revelation that he drew inspiration from a 1982 article in People magazine about Arthur Jackson, who attempted to kill actress Theresa Saldana. Jackson received a 12-year prison sentence, the maximum at the time.
During Bardo's trial, his lawyer argued mental illness, supported by testimony from his siblings about his troubled mental health history, including dropping out of high school for treatment. Bardo's mental health history prevented him from legally acquiring a firearm, leading him to persuade his brother to obtain one for him.
Marcia Clark, then-deputy district attorney (later famous in the O.J. Simpson trial), countered that Bardo's actions stemmed from obsession, not insanity. In 1991, he was convicted of first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole, which he continues to serve at Avenal State Prison in California.
In 2007, Bardo was seriously injured when stabbed 11 times by another inmate at Mule Creek State Prison.
Rebecca's tragic death had a lasting impact: in 1990, California passed the first anti-stalking law in the U.S., making it a felony to cause fear for safety, applicable nationwide by 2019.
And on April 12, 2024, the 35th anniversary of her death, ABC aired "Your Biggest Fan" on 20/20, examining John Bardo's motives and the subsequent legislation protecting celebrities and others from stalking.
Remembering Rebecca
Rebecca Schaeffer, a promising young actress on the brink of stardom, tragically met her untimely death on July 18, 1989, when she was fatally shot by Robert John Bardo, a disturbed fan who had been obsessively stalking her for years. The impact of her death reverberated not only through Hollywood but also sparked legislative changes regarding stalking and privacy protections.
Schaeffer initially moved in with Dawber, her co-star of "My Sister Sam," and her husband Mark Harmon for a few months upon arriving in Los Angeles after landing the role as her sister.
"We just naturally fell into a sisterly bond," Dawber recounted to 20/20. "I had lost my own sister when she was 22 and I was 25, so having another young woman in the house felt comforting and familiar. It was a positive experience for both of us." Dawber, an experienced actress, was delighted to witness Rebecca's burgeoning career.
"I was thrilled to see her embracing the Hollywood life," Dawber shared.
After her stay with Dawber and Harmon, Schaeffer moved to an apartment in the hills above the Sunset Strip. However, she soon grew concerned about the isolation and opted to relocate to her residence on Sweetzer Avenue.
After her death, those who knew Rebecca remembered her not just for her talent but for her kind and gentle spirit. Jenny O'Hara, her co-star from "My Sister Sam," reminisced about Rebecca's genuine nature: "She was so natural, she was herself. There was nothing phony about her; there was nothing put on about her. She was amazing."
Rebecca's agent, Jonathan Howard, mourned the loss of not just a client but a dear friend: "What the world really lost was an angel. I lost a friend. ... Hollywood lost a rising star, and the world lost an angel."
Her close friend and director Brad Silberling, who was deeply affected by her death, recalled the last message Rebecca left him before her audition for "The Godfather Part III": "The morning she died, he discovered a sweet message she had left on his answering machine. It was the last time he ever heard her voice."
Rebecca's parents, Danna and Benson Schaeffer, were devastated by the loss of their only child and threw themselves into advocating for stricter gun control and anti-stalking laws. Danna Schaeffer, reflecting on the phone call that changed her life forever, recalled, "I still remember how sunny my voice sounded when he picked up the phone... Then he said, and these words are inscribed in my brain, 'Mrs. Schaeffer, I have terrible news. This morning Rebecca was shot and killed.'"
The impact of Rebecca's death was profound, not just on a personal level for her loved ones but also on a societal level. Her tragic murder highlighted the dangers of celebrity obsession and led to significant legal reforms. California passed the first anti-stalking law in the aftermath of her death, and Congress later enacted the Driver's Privacy Protection Act to restrict access to personal information like home addresses.
Brad Silberling, reflecting on the broader implications of Rebecca's murder, said, "We weren't aware of the ripples going out right after Rebecca died... But it was an earthquake."
Rebecca Schaeffer's legacy endures as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked obsession and the importance of protecting privacy and safety. Her memory lives on through the advocacy work of her parents and the lasting impact she had on Hollywood and beyond.
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