STALKERS : The Truth Behind the Obsession

Charlie West & Jack Mercer
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  • True Crime

Taking you beyond the headlines and into the disturbing world of stalking. Through in-depth conversations, real cases, expert insights and psychological analysis, Charlie & Jack explore what drives obsessive behaviour, how it escalates, and the devastating impact it has on victims. NOTE: This is an experimental podcast series, created by AI and produced by a human!

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Teresa Saldana : The Stalker Who Forced America to Act

    This is an experimental podcast series. All content has been created using A.I. tools. Not all information may be factually correct and the hosts may occasionally suffer AI Hallucinations and fabricate information entirely disconnected from reality.  Independent fact-checking is advised. When actress Teresa Saldana stepped outside her West Hollywood apartment in 1982, an obsessed stranger turned an ordinary morning into a fight for survival. Charlie and Jack unravel the chilling story of Arthur Richard Jackson, the failures that allowed him to find his victim, and the extraordinary courage of delivery driver Jeffrey Alan Fenn, whose split-second decision saved her life. But this isn't just the story of a brutal attack—it's the story of how one survivor refused to let trauma have the final word. From transforming victim support to helping spark the first anti-stalking laws in America, Teresa Saldana's legacy is still protecting people today. Plus, Charlie discovers that giving out your home address over the phone was once considered perfectly normal... and Jack tries very hard not to judge an entire decade. You'll remember:  🔪 How a stalker used social engineering decades before anyone had a name for it.  🛡️ The remarkable act of bravery that saved Teresa Saldana's life—and why it earned a Carnegie Hero Medal.  ⚖️ How one survivor's determination helped change the law and redefine how stalking is treated across America. CHARLIE WESTCharlie has a lifelong fascination for the psychology behind criminal obsession. Known for her sharp wit, fearless opinions and ability to find humour in even the darkest conversations, she's never afraid to challenge accepted narratives or ask the awkward questions others avoid! Stalker Spotlight: Charlie's favourite stalker is the bizarre story of the "Hollywood Letter Stalker"; a woman who became convinced she was destined to marry a famous actor, sending thousands of letters over several years. The case perfectly illustrates the blurred line between fantasy and dangerous fixation, and remains one of the examples Charlie returns to when discussing how obsession can spiral into criminal behaviour. JACK MERCERJack is a former investigative analyst with a deep-rooted interest in human psychology, particularly the patterns of behaviour that lead to obsession, fixation and control. Calm, measured and highly credible, he brings structure and clarity to even the most disturbing cases, often translating chaotic behaviour into understandable psychological frameworks. Stalker Spotlight: Jack's favourite stalker is the case is of the “Watcher Letters” in New Jersey, where an unknown individual sent increasingly unsettling letters to a suburban family over several years. For Jack, the case is a stark example of how anonymity, patience and psychological manipulation can create fear without ever needing physical contact. For more details on STALKERS : https://carrotcruncher.com/stalkers

    41 min

  2. Jul 3

    Lily Allen : Victim Shaming & Blaming - What needs to change

    This is an experimental podcast series. All content has been created using A.I. tools. Not all information may be factually correct and the hosts may occasionally suffer AI Hallucinations and fabricate information entirely disconnected from reality.  Independent fact-checking is advised. For seven years, Lily Allen endured an escalating campaign of stalking that began with bizarre tweets and ended with a terrifying home invasion. Charlie and Jack trace the case from its earliest warning signs through police reports, court records, psychiatric evidence, and Lily's own interviews, exploring how repeated opportunities to intervene were missed before the danger reached its devastating climax. This episode examines the complex intersection of stalking, celebrity, mental illness, and the justice system, asking difficult questions about where institutions failed both the victim and the perpetrator. It's a story that's equal parts heartbreaking, infuriating, and deeply thought-provoking... and we promise next week's episode contains significantly fewer spiral letters and much better sleeping prospects. Memorable moments:  🔍 How one strange Twitter account evolved into a seven-year stalking campaign.  🚨 The chilling night Lily Allen came face-to-face with her stalker inside her own bedroom.  ⚖️ Why this case became a powerful example of the challenges surrounding stalking laws, policing, and severe mental illness. CHARLIE WESTCharlie has a lifelong fascination for the psychology behind criminal obsession. Known for her sharp wit, fearless opinions and ability to find humour in even the darkest conversations, she's never afraid to challenge accepted narratives or ask the awkward questions others avoid! Stalker Spotlight: Charlie's favourite stalker is the bizarre story of the "Hollywood Letter Stalker"; a woman who became convinced she was destined to marry a famous actor, sending thousands of letters over several years. The case perfectly illustrates the blurred line between fantasy and dangerous fixation, and remains one of the examples Charlie returns to when discussing how obsession can spiral into criminal behaviour. JACK MERCERJack is a former investigative analyst with a deep-rooted interest in human psychology, particularly the patterns of behaviour that lead to obsession, fixation and control. Calm, measured and highly credible, he brings structure and clarity to even the most disturbing cases, often translating chaotic behaviour into understandable psychological frameworks. Stalker Spotlight: Jack's favourite stalker is the case is of the “Watcher Letters” in New Jersey, where an unknown individual sent increasingly unsettling letters to a suburban family over several years. For Jack, the case is a stark example of how anonymity, patience and psychological manipulation can create fear without ever needing physical contact.For more details on STALKERS : https://carrotcruncher.com/stalkers

    49 min

  3. Jul 1

    The Perfumed Rat: Ken Dodd's Most Disturbing Stalker

    This is an experimental podcast series. All content has been created using A.I. tools. Not all information may be factually correct and the hosts may occasionally suffer AI Hallucinations and fabricate information entirely disconnected from reality.  Independent fact-checking is advised. Ken Dodd spent decades making audiences laugh, but behind the scenes he became the target of one of Britain's most disturbing stalking cases. Charlie West and Jack Mercer trace the shocking escalation from fan letters and handmade gifts to arson, anonymous threats, and the infamous perfumed dead rat that left investigators stunned. Along the way, Charlie and Jack explore the psychology of obsession, erotomania, celebrity fixation, and how delusion can turn rejection into dangerous behaviour. It's a dark story—but if nothing else, you'll probably never look at gift wrapping quite the same way again! Memorable moments:  🐀 The chilling story behind the perfumed dead rat.  🔥 How a celebrity crush escalated into arson and terror.  🧠 The psychology of erotomania and obsessive stalking.CHARLIE WESTCharlie has a lifelong fascination for the psychology behind criminal obsession. Known for her sharp wit, fearless opinions and ability to find humour in even the darkest conversations, she's never afraid to challenge accepted narratives or ask the awkward questions others avoid! Stalker Spotlight: Charlie's favourite stalker is the bizarre story of the "Hollywood Letter Stalker"; a woman who became convinced she was destined to marry a famous actor, sending thousands of letters over several years. The case perfectly illustrates the blurred line between fantasy and dangerous fixation, and remains one of the examples Charlie returns to when discussing how obsession can spiral into criminal behaviour.  JACK MERCERJack is a former investigative analyst with a deep-rooted interest in human psychology, particularly the patterns of behaviour that lead to obsession, fixation and control. Calm, measured and highly credible, he brings structure and clarity to even the most disturbing cases, often translating chaotic behaviour into understandable psychological frameworks. Stalker Spotlight: Jack's favourite stalker is the case is of the “Watcher Letters” in New Jersey, where an unknown individual sent increasingly unsettling letters to a suburban family over several years. For Jack, the case is a stark example of how anonymity, patience and psychological manipulation can create fear without ever needing physical contact. For more details on STALKERS : https://carrotcruncher.com/stalkers

    36 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Taking you beyond the headlines and into the disturbing world of stalking. Through in-depth conversations, real cases, expert insights and psychological analysis, Charlie & Jack explore what drives obsessive behaviour, how it escalates, and the devastating impact it has on victims. NOTE: This is an experimental podcast series, created by AI and produced by a human!

Information

  • Creator
    Charlie West & Jack Mercer
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Carrotcruncher Media