In a shocking turn of events, a 40-year-old man named Robert Cole Parmalee has been apprehended near a Connecticut airport for allegedly stalking and harassing University of Connecticut (UConn) basketball star Paige Bueckers. The suspect's intent to marry Bueckers and possession of an engagement ring and lingerie when arrested further raise concerns about the extent of his infatuation with the athlete, according to police reports.

Parmalee, whose last known addresses were in Grants Pass, Oregon, and Ritzville, Washington, exhibited worrisome behavior by posting statements on TikTok and sending emails to UConn officials that contained both threats and expressions of admiration towards Bueckers. The University of Connecticut Police Department revealed that Parmalee's actions became increasingly alarming over time, leading to his eventual arrest.

The accused was taken into custody near Bradley International Airport in Hartford on August 27. Parmalee confessed to a state trooper that he had recently flown in from the Pacific Northwest with the intention of seeing Bueckers at UConn. Upon his arrest, authorities discovered he was in possession of an engagement ring and lingerie. It was later revealed that an arrest warrant from Josephine County, Oregon, was also pending against Parmalee for allegedly setting a home on fire with occupants, including pets, inside.

Parmalee's fixation on Bueckers was evident through his extensive use of social media platforms. He frequently posted photos, videos, and comments about the basketball star on TikTok, while also bombarding UConn officials with rambling emails since June. Although initially, his online behavior did not warrant criminal charges, the repeated threats and escalating nature of his messages raised concerns for Bueckers' safety and well-being.

The name of the specific UConn student addressed in Parmalee's online posts is redacted in the arrest warrant affidavit, identified only as "V1." However, the affidavit mentioned Parmalee's desire to marry V1 and described his persistent efforts to post threatening messages, causing emotional distress for V1 and those close to her. Parmalee's fixation even extended to sending various videos to V1's Instagram direct messages since February, although they were not initially threatening. V1 expressed concern for her own safety, as well as that of her family and teammates, upon learning about Parmalee's arrest near the airport.

In one of Parmalee's TikTok posts reviewed by the Associated Press, he made a disturbing reference to a photo of Bueckers with an unnamed man, hinting at potential harm to the man. Another post mentioned his plans to bring flowers to V1 and find her mother's home. Additionally, Parmalee posted a cryptic message stating that if he cannot be with the woman he desires, referring to V1, he would choose death and bring harm to those who oppose him. Disturbingly, he warned V1 that if anyone were to touch her, they would meet the same fate.

In a pre-arrival TikTok post before his journey to Connecticut, Parmalee declared his imminent arrival in Hartford, specifically targeting UConn and Paige Madison Bueckers. He even shared a photo of himself with airline tickets at an airport, signifying his determination to pursue his twisted obsession.

Initially detained for the arson warrant out of Oregon, Parmalee now faces charges of felony stalking, as well as misdemeanor harassment and breach of peace, according to UConn police. Records indicate that Parmalee possesses a criminal history dating back to 2002, including arrests related to misdemeanor sexual abuse, harassment, burglary, driving under the influence, and possession of methamphetamine. Authorities in Oregon confirmed that they had no previous mental health-related incidents involving Parmalee.

The arrest of Robert Cole Parmalee has raised questions about the importance of vigilance and safety in the face of obsessive behavior. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains imperative to prioritize the well-being and protection of individuals targeted by such harassment and stalking incidents.