Some may consider Taylor Swift as a shapeshifter because she innovatively blends country, pop, and indie folk into her songs. But despite her music catering to a broad audience, it has been a “cruel summer” for her. Even the “Swifties,” her die-hard (and sometimes parasocial) fans can’t stop lunatics from threatening her safety. Swift has faced undeserving adversities right before “cardigan” season. Her fame may be glorified by avid fans, but her obsessive stalker, Brian Jason Wagner, has gone missing, according to Bollywood Shaadis.
Private investigators have not been able to locate Wagner, the Colorado native, since he went missing in September. Swift has claimed that 45-year-old Wagner had attempted to break into her Los Angeles house at least three times since July, 2024, according to The Cut. He has also sent hundreds of emails to her. In June, Swift filed a temporary restraining order. This five-year restraining order against Wagner stipulates that he stay at least 100 yards away from her home, vehicle, and workplace. He is also banned from owning “firearms, ammunition, and body armor for five years,” according to Daily Mail.
Swift felt especially threatened when she saw him “carrying a glass bottle that could have been used as a weapon.” Wagner claimed that he is the father of her child, lives on her property, and was in a relationship with her. Since his whereabouts are unknown, Swift’s security team is being extra vigilant.
Wagner has disregarded the repeated warnings issued by law enforcement. Swift’s private investigator, Brooke Berg, reported that Wagner ignored texts and calls, and refused to confirm his address, according to Marca. According to the restraining order declaration, he appeared on Swift’s property on May 21. Once there, he asked to see Swift and claimed to be her friend. After over a year of unsettling visits from Wagner, the pop star secured a five-year restraining order in July. After filing the order, Swift’s security team ran a criminal history report, according to The Cut. It revealed that Wagner was previously incarcerated and wrote delusional “lengthy communications” to Swift. Swift described this information as being “completely fabricated”.
Additionally, Wagner attempted to “redirect mail from her home and successfully changed his driver’s license address to hers with the Department of Motor Vehicles,” according to The Los Angeles Times. Alex Welch, Swift’s security staffer, discovered this when Wagner’s driver’s license was sent to Swift’s home. He often changes phone numbers and uses TextNow, a “free calling service” to stay hidden, according to Marca. Also, Swift’s team displayed over 100 pages of written material that Wagner sent to fan accounts.
Swift’s team has also been on high alert because of Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University on September 10. Following the incident, she constantly carries QuikClot, an army-grade bandage for stab or gunshot wounds, according to Daily Mail. Understandably, Swift and her team are hyper-vigilant because Wagner has desperately attempted to invade her privacy. Their caution is also a result of her being targeted by “Groyper (alt-right) groups on social media,” according to Daily Mail. They target her because she’s Democratic and liberal. Journalists have also noticed that Swift has kept a lower profile recently. On September 15, Swift arrived at the Arrowhead Stadium to watch fiance Travis Kelce and his team compete against the Philadelphia Eagles. But, she was unseen behind a bullet-proof screen, according to Daily Mail. This was unusual since the screen is usually provided for the President or a politician, not a celebrity.
Wagner is not the first stalker with whom Swift has had conflicts. She has also encountered rape and murder threats. In 2014, she filed an injunction against Timothy Sweet, a man who had allegedly been issuing threats to her family’s safety, according to The Los Angeles Times. He said he would “kill any man who gets in the way.” In 2018, multiple men attempted to break into her New York City home, with one stalker succeeding. In Swift’s home, he went as far as taking a shower and a nap, according to Vanity Fair. In 2019, the same man broke into Swift’s house, but didn’t steal anything. One of the scariest break-ins occurred in 2022, as a man crashed his car into Swift’s building, according to Patch. He then jumped out of the car and ripped out the intercom panel while trying to enter her home.
Unfortunately, Swift can’t escape the dangers of obsession and delusion. Beyond obnoxious paparazzi, her experiences with stalkers highlight the frightening vulnerability of fame. Even with the abundance of legal protection, private security, and heightened vigilance, Swift continues to face risks. Her story serves as a reminder that behind the glamour of fame lies a constant battle for safety—one that underscores the darker side of celebrity culture in an age where parasocial devotion can quickly become dire.
