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The Voice star Christina Grimmie tragically murdered by fan

Christina Grimmie's tragic death highlights the dangers of fame

Christina Grimmie’s tragic death at the hands of an obsessed fan remains a harrowing reminder of the dangers that can come with fame. The 22-year-old singer gained recognition on season six of The Voice in 2014, where she was mentored by Adam Levine of Maroon 5.

Despite not winning, Grimmie finished in third place and earned admiration from Levine and Lil Wayne, who both sought to sign her to their record labels. Her future in music seemed bright, bolstered by her popular YouTube channel boasting 3.89 million subscribers and over 688 million views.

This promising career took a dark turn when Kevin Loibl, a 27-year-old from Orlando, Florida, fixated on her. Living with his family, who insisted there were no signs of mental illness, Loibl exhibited troubling behaviour, such as covering his room in tinfoil and keeping his curtains perpetually closed due to an ‘aversion to light.’ His family admitted he lived reclusively.

Loibl’s obsession began in 2015. A friend mentioned he spent most of his waking hours watching Grimmie’s videos and scrolling through her social media. In 2016, he bought tickets to her Orlando concert, planning a sinister act.

Loibl purchased two guns from a store, receiving the first on May 31, 2016, after a five-day wait, and the second on June 7, just days before the concert. On June 9, he checked into a hotel with no luggage. A receptionist noted there were no personal belongings, and it appeared he slept on top of the covers, having only eaten food from the hotel snack bar.

On June 10, after Grimmie’s performance, she stayed to sign autographs. Loibl approached her around 20 minutes later. As Grimmie went to hug him, he shot her three times in the head and chest. Her brother tackled Loibl, who then broke free and fatally shot himself.

Grimmie succumbed to her injuries half an hour later. The murder-suicide stunned the nation, prompting calls for increased security at entertainment venues.

For those struggling with mental health issues, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 for a 24-hour crisis centre, or visit 988lifeline.org for a webchat. You can also text MHA to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

What Other Media Are Saying
  • Investigation Discovery highlights the tragic murder of Christina Grimmie, a singer who was killed by an obsessive fan after a concert in Orlando, Florida.(read more)
  • The Last Performance photos & meet and greet photos of Christina Grimmie before being shot and killed by an obsessed fan, highlighting her last performance and interactions with fans, as well as the tragic events that followed.(read more)
  • All That’s Interesting provides a detailed and chilling account of Christina Grimmie’s tragic death at the hands of an obsessed fan, Kevin James Loibl, who fatally shot her and then took his own life after a concert in Orlando, emphasizing the shocking nature of the murder-suicide and the disturbing obsession of Loibl.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions asked about this news

Who was Christina Grimmie?

Christina Grimmie was a singer who gained fame on The Voice in 2014.

How did Christina Grimmie die?

Christina Grimmie was shot by a fan during a meet-and-greet after her concert in 2016.

Who was the person that killed Christina Grimmie?

Kevin Loibl, a 27-year-old fan from Orlando, Florida, killed Christina Grimmie.

What happened to Kevin Loibl after he shot Christina Grimmie?

After shooting Christina Grimmie, Kevin Loibl turned the gun on himself and took his own life.

What security changes were made after Christina Grimmie’s death?

Calls were made to increase security at performing arts venues after Christina Grimmie’s murder.

Lee Shuyi

Lee is an expat writer living in Thailand. She specialises in Southeast Asian news for the Thaiger. When she's not writing, Lee enjoys immersing herself in Thai culture and learning Thai.

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