News

Hilary Duff Threatened by Stalker

An 18-year-old Russian man was arrested on Friday and charged with stalking and threatening to kill 19-year-old actress/singer Hilary Duff. The man, Maksim Miakovsky, allegedly came to the States from Russia for the sole purpose of winning the starlet's heart. When he discovered that his odds didn't look so good, he decided that he would resort to suicide -- or murder.

Duff and her boyfriend, Good Charlotte singer/cradle-robber Joel Madden, filed for restraining orders against the disturbed Russian a few weeks ago, as it seemed like the fan's obsession with the singer was giving way to violent tendencies. Miakovsky had been detained at a Good Charlotte concert after trying to force his way backstage, and had paid a visit to the home of Duff's mother, as well as reportedly casing Duff's and Madden's neighborhoods.

"He has admitted to being 'obsessed' with [Duff], has stated his intention of purchasing a weapon, and has threatened to kill himself and to engage in dramatic actions to get her attention," read court documents connected to the restraining order. Miakovsky's ire was naturally also directed at Madden, who he felt was blocking his own romance with Duff.

Further enhancing the good name of the paparazzi, Miakovsky was allegedly assisted by his 50-year-old roommate, David Joseph Klein, a paparazzo who would relay the threats to Duff. Klein has not been charged with any crime, and disputes his connection with Miakovsky -- who Klein says initially wanted little more than an autograph from Duff.

"They took his dream away and essentially killed this kid," Klein told the Los Angeles Times.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
11.07.06