Celebrity Justice
Hilary Duff & Joel Madden: We're In Mortal Danger

Hilary Duff and Joel MaddenHilary Duff claims in court documents that she fears for her life, alleging she and her boyfriend are being stalked by two men -- one a paparazzi and the other a homeless man.

TMZ has obtained court documents, filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court, in which Duff and Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden claim that a 19-year-old Russian emigre came to the United States "for the sole purpose of meeting and becoming romantically involved with Ms. Duff."

The court documents state the man, whose first name is Max, "admitted to being 'obsessed' with her, has stated his intention of 'removing' his 'enemies' (i.e., those who prevent him from being with her), has stated his intention of purchasing a weapon, and has threatened to kill himself and to engage in dramatic actions to get her attention."
David Joseph Klein and Max
According to the documents, Max "has stated his belief that Hilary is in love with him and that Joel Madden stands in their way."

The court documents also claim David Joseph Klein, a 50-year-old celebrity photographer who is roommates with Max, is also a threat.

The documents state, "Over the past six weeks, the defendants have engaged in an accelerated effort to make contact with Hilary, including visits to her neighborhood, to her mother's home, to her boyfriend's neighborhood ... to Mr. Madden's concert venue, and direct calls to Hilary's manager."

According to the documents, the police detained Max at least once at one of Madden's concerts and questioned Klein at the same event.

The stars are requesting a judge to order Max and David Joseph Klein to stay at least 100 yards away from Hilary Duff, her sister Haylie, Joel Madden and his twin brother Benji.

TMZ spoke with David Joseph Klein who denies claims that he is a dangerous threat. We were unable to contact Max.



Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Hilary Duff

Reader Comments

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46. Anyone who says this is the price of fame is really out of their minds!!! Everyone understands that being in the public eye has it's consequences with the paparazzi...but to think that someone threatening to harm you in any way is ok, might just be as crazy as these stalkers are!!! I do remember Rebecca Schaeffer & nobody should have to pay the same ultimate price that she did.

Posted at 3:15PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Jeanine

47. At the very least Max and David should be confined to a mental instution to get their collective heads together. Then both should be shipped back to their own countries. We don't need idiots coming to this country and abusing our hard fought freedoms. That said I, question the idiot that released the information to the press concerning an ongoing case! Freedom of information laws or not it should not have been released. It has undoubtably harmed the case for Duff. That idiot in the court needs a lesson in law and humanity!

Posted at 3:52PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Ralph Cooley

48. The love-nut who shot President Reagan was trying to impress an entertainment celebrity with whom he was unnaturally infatuated. Max knows that, which makes him a serious threat to the life of President Bush. To protect the President, Special Services should be immediately dispatched to dispatch him. The parasitic roommate will get the pictures which are clearly his motivation in this, and the tabloids will pay him for them. He should spend the money defending himself from charges that to get those pictures, he aided and abetted Max in his assaults. Like McVeigh's McNichols, he should lose.

Posted at 4:31PM on Oct 15th 2006 by james n post

49. It's a disease and the disease is called "erotomania."

Sadly, this mental disorder often starts with obsession and can easily gravitate to violence.

After awhile more and more people will become educated about it and then can be alert to possible latent signs of it in others.

Posted at 4:50PM on Oct 15th 2006 by knerd

50. I feel for the celbs. But one the other hand how many normal people are stalked every day. The media and people need to stop caring what they think or do. we put them higher the the normal person, and there not,

Posted at 5:00PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Biker

51. There was a great episode of the Larry Sanders Show where Gary Shandling nailed the "obsessed fan" situation right on the mark. He actually invited his stalker to his home and to the show, introduced him to all his show biz cronies as "my stalker, Bob." Sanders' theory, as he explained to his friends and business associates, was that by actually treating his stalker to the life he fantasized about with Larry, he'd get over his obsession pretty quickly by realizing what a dull and boring life the object of his obsession really lived. Sounds crazy? Maybe. But somehow I think there's an element of truth and wisdom to it.

Posted at 5:51PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Joanna E

52. Get a motherf***ing life people!! Who gives a damn about Hilary Duff?!

Posted at 5:53PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Terrence

53. Alot of people are mentioning this actress who was killed, and i think I remember that lady. It was horrible, I hope that that same tradegy doesnt befall hilary. I mean sure, Paparazzi and all that crazyness "comes with the territory" but I dont think that crazy stalkers who threaten to do harm "come with the territory" of being famous. I hope hilary and Joel are safe, I dont feel too bad for them because all hilary is going to do is hire like 12 more big body guards to protect her. "Normal" people are stalked everyday and killed, people who simply dont have the money to protect themselves in the way hilary does.

Posted at 5:56PM on Oct 15th 2006 by YEah. OK

54. I do remember Rebecca Shaeffer Jennie and I completely agree with your comments...Stalkers are a very real threat and just because someone is a celebrity does NOT mean they ask for nor do they deserve that type of behavior....It's not only those with celebrity status who have those problems....Myself I'd make sure I was safe within my own little world...A restraining order doesn't make you safe, it might make you feel safe but, it will not stop them....Protect yourself and those you love it's the only true safety.....

Posted at 6:30PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Dianna Elder

55. What a crock of CRAP! This is just another celebrity public attention ploy.
Wake up people!
The newest tactic before a movie, book, or TV apperance release is about to happen. The big thing now is stalkers. Last go around was child molestion. Before that was cancer, before that rape.
Don't you people see how often this "revelation" of the stars (or wannabe star) is timed right before the "star" is wanting as much attention as possible?
Just remember, before you worship the ground these people walk on that they poop and smell just like you do. The only difference is that they need alot of attention. And most of you want to live your desperate lives through them!

Posted at 6:38PM on Oct 15th 2006 by E. Davis

56. I completely agree with everyone. Those two men should be taken to jail. The stupid 100 yard thing is so much bull. Crazy people don't care about laws or anything. If he does see them together and he gets a chance he will do something. I fear more for Joel because this idiotic man thinks that Joel is in the middle of Hilary and him being together. What a freaking psycho. Hilary seriously needs to do something more than settle for the 100 yard thing. I hope this hole thing turns out okay. And no one ends up hurt. I wish both of them the best.

Posted at 6:45PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Wendy

57. Hmm well, i dont see why anyone would want to stalk them. Their music sucks, i hate GC and Hilary should just stick to acting or learn a bit more about musical theory. GC is the biggest poser band in history. The End.

Posted at 6:48PM on Oct 15th 2006 by Rob

58. I feel terrible for Ms. Duff, but honestly, in this day and age, it's part of the job description, depressing i know.

Posted at 6:56PM on Oct 15th 2006 by kara

59. i think hilary is really talented and i have a bit of sympathy for people to love her but this is crossing the line. Hilary Duff deserves her privacy, though her choice to be famous has cost her, she probably cherishes every private moment she gets. People need to not get so attached to celebrities, theyre human and they get scared too. It is the price of fame, but she enjoys performing for crowds and enjoys her private moments. Max, please leave Hilary alone!! Shes a person and i dont think you would like to be chased around by a creepy old guy whos in love with you.

Posted at 7:07PM on Oct 15th 2006 by leila mornavi

60. this is crazy i dont even like hilary duff that much but come on give the girl some space if i was her i would have gone to the police as well. i would really hate to be her

Posted at 7:11PM on Oct 15th 2006 by gabby

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