A 40-year-old man, Robert Cole Parmalee, was arrested on Monday in Connecticut on charges of stalking UConn women’s basketball star Paige Bueckers. This marks Parmalee’s second arrest in just three weeks for targeting Bueckers, raising serious concerns about her safety and how the case has been handled by law enforcement.
Parmalee, who had an outstanding arrest warrant in his home state of Oregon, has exhibited deeply disturbing behavior toward Bueckers, both online and in person.
Despite the seriousness of his actions, Oregon authorities were reportedly preparing to dismiss charges against him before his arrest in Connecticut, according to a statement from UConn. This decision has sparked confusion and concern, especially given the threatening nature of Parmalee’s actions.
Parmalee’s alarming behavior became widely known after fans of Bueckers discovered his social media accounts, where he had been posting troubling messages about the basketball star. In one particularly concerning post, Parmalee claimed he was traveling to Connecticut to see Bueckers, writing, “I will ‘sacrifice’ anyone near her when I get there.” In another post, he shared a photo of himself holding a ticket with the caption, “I’m coming to UCONN, Paige Madison Bueckers. I’ll be in Hartford tomorrow morning.”
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The disturbing pattern continued as Parmalee posted images of himself posing with a large cardboard cutout of Bueckers. In another unsettling post, he wrote, “I can’t wait to get you in my bedroom princess,” a clear escalation of his obsession.
Such posts have fueled outrage and confusion, with many questioning why Oregon had initially planned to dismiss charges against Parmalee despite these red flags.
ESPN’s Kate Barnes reported that Parmalee is now being held on a $100,000 bond after appearing in Connecticut Superior Court. During the hearing, it was revealed that Parmalee’s online threats extended beyond just social media posts. On TikTok, he allegedly made chilling statements, saying, “If I cannot live with a woman of my choosing, [Bueckers], then I will choose to die, and I will choose to take all of you that [op]pose me, oppose us, to hell, and return, king…” Parmalee also sent videos directly to Bueckers on Instagram, heightening the threat to her safety.
Thankfully, Parmalee was apprehended before he could act on any of his threats, but the situation remains deeply troubling for one of college sports’ biggest stars.
The court has issued protective and no-contact orders for “PB,” which is believed to refer to Paige Bueckers, to ensure her safety moving forward.
The judge presiding over the case emphasized the need for strict monitoring of Parmalee if he were to make bail. Parmalee will be subject to “intense pretrial supervision” and GPS monitoring, ensuring that his movements are closely tracked.
For Paige Bueckers, this terrifying ordeal is a stark reminder of the dangers public figures, particularly women, can face from obsessive individuals.
While Parmalee is currently behind bars, the ongoing legal proceedings and the measures being put in place aim to ensure that she remains protected from further harm.
