This is an experimental podcast series. All content has been created using A.I. tools. Not all information may be factually correct and the hosts may occasionally suffer AI Hallucinations and fabricate information entirely disconnected from reality. Independent fact-checking is advised.

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was murdered outside the Dakota by Mark David Chapman—a deeply troubled man whose obsession with fame, identity, religion, The Catcher in the Rye, and Lennon himself had been building for years. Charlie West and Jack Mercer trace Chapman’s disturbing journey from troubled childhood and psychiatric crisis to the calculated journey across America that culminated in one of the most infamous murders in music history.

But this isn’t just the story of Lennon’s killer. It’s the story of how one act permanently changed the relationship between celebrities and their fans, helping usher in the age of bodyguards, threat assessment, and impenetrable security bubbles. We also examine the bizarre details surrounding Chapman’s crime, his ever-changing explanations, and the chilling celebrity hit list that might have rewritten rock history—because apparently being second on someone’s murder list is one way to get a very bad concert review.

Memorable moments

• 🎸 The autograph: Lennon signed Chapman’s copy of Double Fantasy just hours before Chapman shot him.
• 📖 The book: Chapman was carrying The Catcher in the Rye when he committed the murder—and calmly read it while waiting for police.
• 🎭 The alternate targets: Chapman’s list reportedly included other famous names, including Johnny Carson, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul McCartney and David Bowie.

CHARLIE WEST
Charlie has a lifelong fascination for the psychology behind criminal obsession. Known for her sharp wit, fearless opinions and ability to find humour in even the darkest conversations, she's never afraid to challenge accepted narratives or ask the awkward questions others avoid!

Stalker Spotlight: Charlie's favourite stalker is the bizarre story of the "Hollywood Letter Stalker"; a woman who became convinced she was destined to marry a famous actor, sending thousands of letters over several years. The case perfectly illustrates the blurred line between fantasy and dangerous fixation, and remains one of the examples Charlie returns to when discussing how obsession can spiral into criminal behaviour.

JACK MERCER
Jack is a former investigative analyst with a deep-rooted interest in human psychology, particularly the patterns of behaviour that lead to obsession, fixation and control. Calm, measured and highly credible, he brings structure and clarity to even the most disturbing cases, often translating chaotic behaviour into understandable psychological frameworks.

Stalker Spotlight: Jack's favourite stalker is the case is of the “Watcher Letters” in New Jersey, where an unknown individual sent increasingly unsettling letters to a suburban family over several years. For Jack, the case is a stark example of how anonymity, patience and psychological manipulation can create fear without ever needing physical contact.

For more details on STALKERS : https://www.carrotcruncher.com/stalkers