7 Celebrities Who Were Killed By Their Own Fans

Jesse James

• Cause of death: shot and killed by Robert Ford, his fan.

Jesse James was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, and the leader of the  James–Younger Gang. During the American Civil War, Jesse and his brother Frank joined pro-Confederate guerrillas and they became famous for various robberies and murders.

Jesse James was appreciated by the people at that time because he was seen as a modern Robin Hood who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. Nevertheless, there’s no evidence that he and his gang really gave to the poor. Jesse and his brother managed to gain national fame and people’s sympathy, even though they were criminals.

After a few years, they continued to recruit members for their gang. So, his fan named Robert Ford and his brother, Charles, joined, because Robert wanted to meet and help his idol. Yet, Robert killed Jesse’s cousin after an altercation, but when the police found out about this case, they offered Robert a deal, namely a full pardon if he killed or captured Jesse James, the leader of the gang.

In 1882, when Jesse was 34 years old, Robert shot his idol. Robert was pardoned by the police and his brother, Charlie, committed suicide two years later. In 1892, Robert Ford was also killed by a man named Edward O’Kelley, but the reason is still unclear.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez

• Cause of death: shot and killed by her biggest fan, friend and former manager of her boutique, Yolanda Saldivar.

Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was a Mexican-American singer, model, actress and fashion designer who was also considered one of the most influential artists of South American music. At just 23 years old, Selena was a true role model for other young people. Unfortunately, she was killed by her biggest fan, friend and manager of her boutique and fan club, Yolanda Saldivar, two weeks before her 24^th birthday.

According to Selena’s father, Abraham Quintanilla, Yolanda was fired from the boutique three weeks before the murder and there were money and documents missing from the store. He also added that Selena had to see Yolanda give her the documents at a motel in Texas, the place where Yolanda killed Selena. Yolanda was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years and two weeks later after Selena’s death, then – Texas governor (later US President) George W. Bush declared her birthday ‘Selena Day’ in Texas.