As a dedicated gamer, I’ve just stumbled upon this chilling documentary series titled “Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror”. In this riveting account, Samantha Stites shares her harrowing personal story of being stalked relentlessly for over a decade by Christopher Thomas. His unhealthy obsession tragically escalated into an unspeakable act that has left an indelible mark on her life. It’s a must-watch for anyone who values the importance of personal safety and privacy.
Over the past year, accounts about stalking have been prevalent and captivating the crime genre, such as Richard Gadd’s ordeal as depicted in Baby Reindeer, or the distressing situation faced by the women pursued by relentless stalker Matthew Hardy.
Combining these instances underscores the frequent shortcomings of laws in safeguarding victims when needed most, often resulting in intervention arriving too late. One such case that eventually triggered change is delved into in “Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror.” However, Stites suffered through a tormented ordeal before eventually achieving justice.
In the recently released documentary, it’s shown that Thomas’s long-lasting torment of over a decade culminated into an alarmingly intense situation in 2022. This intensification led him from harassment to abduction. Please be advised: some may find this content disturbing.
Where is Christopher Thomas now?
Currently, as of August 2025, Christopher Thomas, who is now 41 years old, is imprisoned at the Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility located in Ionia, Michigan. His inmate record indicates that his earliest possible release date is set for July 2062.
In the year 2011, when Stites was a student at Grand Valley State University, she encountered Thomas and felt compassion for him.
In the documentary series, I found myself remarking about someone being quite socially uncomfortable. My friend Charissa also chimed in, expressing empathy towards him which he misconstrued. He transformed this kindness into something more than what it actually was.
Over time, Stites’ harassment intensified, leading him to obtain a six-year restraining order. Within this period, she completed her education but tragically lost her mother and grandmother. Consequently, she chose to return home.
Once the duration of the restraining order had elapsed, Thomas resurfaced. On this occasion, he demonstrated greater cunning by avoiding any obvious legal infractions – apparently so. However, what Stites and her companions didn’t comprehend then was that he had secretly fitted GPS tracking devices onto their vehicles.
He started attending all kinds of gatherings, ranging from soccer training sessions to social outings at night. Yet another attempt by Stites to secure a restraining order met with rejection on this occasion.
On October 7, 2022, events reached a critical point as Thomas forced his way into her house, silenced and tied her up, then moved her to a hidden, soundproof shelter he’d built within a storage unit.
From within, I had amassed supplies and a necessary container for sanitary needs, addressing Stites with the knowledge that I’d been tailing her for over a year. I made it clear that she’d need to remain in this location for the upcoming fortnight.
Furthermore, as revealed in the documentary series, Thomas apparently drew inspiration for his bunker from watching the Netflix program “You.
The series ‘You’ revolves around an attractive young man who develops an unhealthy infatuation with a woman, which leads him to confine her in a room enclosed by glass… This protagonist is essentially portrayed as a psychopath, as one person puts it.
“He ends up murdering the woman, and he’s related to this person.”
In a state of terror for my own safety, I found a fleeting instant when Thomas revealed his worry about being caught. Seizing this chance, I promised him I wouldn’t betray him if he allowed me to leave. Yet, before granting that freedom, he cruelly violated me.
Following a span of 14 hours, Stites gained her freedom and promptly went for medical attention while reporting the incident to the police.
It was rapid that Thomas got apprehended, as it turned out during the investigation, he had a prior record from 2009 of stalking another woman.
Samantha Stites sparks change
By December 2023, he confessed to committing kidnapping, torment, and aggravated harassment. In early 2024, the court penalized him with a sentence of 40 to 60 years in prison, stipulating that he must undergo lifetime GPS monitoring if he is ever freed.
The judge expressed his doubt about whether Thomas can be effectively rehabilitated. Furthermore, this case sparked changes in the way stalking cases are managed.
Prior to my abduction, I had sought a temporary protective order without the defendant’s attendance (ex parte personal protection order), but this request was turned down. Even though a hearing was proposed, attending would’ve put Thomas in an awkward position and I didn’t want to provoke him unnecessarily.
Since his conviction, the court has adapted its policy so that “referees must first acquire and review any previous Protective Orders before suggesting their recommendations to the court.
In the documentary, Stites comments, “Justice can be quite peculiar. It’s not always about jail time.
As a survivor, I’ve come to realize that going back to my life before the abduction is no longer an option, and accepting that loss has been a heart-wrenching journey. However, now that the person who caused me harm is off the streets and I am under protection, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. It’s as if I’ve turned a new page in my life, one where I can finally breathe freely again.
She expresses her desire for other women, regardless of their past experiences with stalking, sexual assault, or disbelief, to read her story and feel hopeful that change is possible.
Currently Streaming on Hulu: A Thirteenth Year of Harassment – Samantha’s Story
For additional true crime content, delve into Elmer Wayne Henley’s current whereabouts, the unsolved mystery behind the Yoghurt Shop Murders, and the ongoing search for Amy Bradley.
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2025-08-20 16:51