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.

Madonna spent the 1990s at the very peak of global fame—but behind the platinum records, sold-out tours and Hollywood glamour was a terrifying reality. Charlie West and Jack Mercer unravel the disturbing case of Robert Dewey Hoskins, the stalker whose delusions escalated from handwritten notes to a violent break-in at Madonna's Los Angeles estate, forcing one of pop music's biggest stars to confront a nightmare no amount of fame or security could prevent.

Along the way, Charlie and Jack explore the psychology of stalking, parasocial relationships, severe mental illness, and the difficult balance between public safety and civil liberties. It's a gripping story of obsession, survival and the lasting impact of one of Hollywood's most infamous stalking cases. And don't worry—while the subject matter is dark, nobody's asking you to patrol the Hollywood Hills with a flashlight after listening... although locking the front door probably isn't a bad idea.

Memorable Moments

• 🏰 A fortress wasn't enough: How a determined stalker breached Madonna's Hollywood Hills mansion despite extensive security. 
• 🧠 Inside a dangerous delusion: Exploring the psychology behind erotomania, psychosis and celebrity obsession. 
• ⚖️ Justice vs. protection: Why prosecuting a stalker forced Madonna into the same courtroom as the man who threatened her life. 

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