Imagine opening your mailbox to find a letter signed “Freddie Krueger” threatening your life. For CSI: Miami star Eva LaRue and her daughter Kaya, this nightmare became reality for over a decade. The chilling true story unfolds in Paramount+’s two-part documentary My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story, premiering November 13, revealing how genetic genealogy finally brought justice.
When and Where to Watch
My Nightmare Stalker: The Eva LaRue Story debuts on Paramount+ on November 13, with both episodes streaming simultaneously. This gripping documentary offers unprecedented access to case files, recordings, and firsthand accounts from LaRue herself, making it a must-watch for true crime enthusiasts and fans of investigative storytelling.
Table of Contents
My Nightmare Stalker: Documentary Details at a Glance
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 13, 2025 |
| Platform | Paramount+ |
| Format | Two-part documentary |
| Runtime | 2 hours (both parts) |
| Director | Stephen Scott |
| Production | Forte Entertainment, See It Now Studios |
| Executive Producers | Eva LaRue, Susan Zirinsky, Mitchell Gabourie |
The 12-Year Nightmare: What Really Happened
The terror began in 2007 when the first threatening letter arrived at LaRue’s home. Signed with the horror icon’s name, it marked the start of what authorities would later call “psychological terrorism.” Over the following years, dozens of letters followed, some typed, others handwritten, escalating from disturbing to downright terrifying with threats of rape and murder.
The Emmy-winning actress, known for her roles on All My Children and CSI: Miami, tried maintaining normalcy for her daughter Kaya. But as the threats continued, they couldn’t ignore the growing danger. The stalker became bolder, eventually targeting Kaya directly as she grew older.
The Breaking Point: When Threats Hit Too Close
In 2019, everything changed. A caller allegedly posed as Kaya’s father on her school’s voicemail system, later leaving menacing messages that mentioned the teenager by name. This escalation prompted FBI involvement and intensified security measures around the family.
LaRue describes the experience in the trailer: “Those words and those threats were absolute psychological terrorism.” The documentary captures this anguish while showing how mother and daughter persevered through years of fear.
DNA Breakthrough: How Science Caught a Stalker
The case’s turning point came through cutting-edge forensic technology. Investigators extracted DNA from envelope seals and stamps, then employed genetic genealogy—the same technique used to catch the Golden State Killer. This revolutionary method compares DNA profiles against public genealogy databases to identify potential family matches.
The trail led to James David Rogers, an Ohio man with no apparent connection to LaRue. He pleaded guilty in 2022 to stalking and related charges, receiving a 40-month sentence. Court records show his release in 2024, adding another layer of concern for viewers following the story.
For those fascinated by forensic technology and digital investigations, this case demonstrates how modern science is revolutionizing crime-solving.
What Makes This Documentary Different
Unlike sensationalized true crime content, My Nightmare Stalker takes a measured approach. Director Stephen Scott focuses on facts, court documents, and authentic voice recordings rather than dramatic reenactments. The series features interviews with family members, investigators, and friends who witnessed the ordeal firsthand.
Executive producer Susan Zirinsky, a veteran of true crime journalism, ensures the documentary maintains journalistic integrity while honoring LaRue’s emotional journey. Writer-producer Sarah Sharkey Pearce crafts a narrative that’s both informative and deeply human.
Eva LaRue: From Hollywood Glamour to Survivor Advocate
Before this nightmare, LaRue built an impressive career spanning soap operas and prime-time dramas. Her 2020 Daytime Emmy Award brought renewed attention to her talent. Now, she’s using her platform to raise awareness about stalking’s devastating psychological impact on victims and their families.
The documentary interweaves her professional achievements with the case timeline, showing how she balanced red carpet appearances with constant fear, proving that celebrity status offers no protection from predatory behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did investigators catch Eva LaRue’s stalker after 12 years?
FBI investigators used genetic genealogy, extracting DNA from envelope seals and comparing it against genealogy databases to identify family matches. This cutting-edge technique led them to James David Rogers in Ohio, who pleaded guilty to stalking charges in 2022.
Is Eva LaRue’s stalker still in prison?
No. James David Rogers received a 40-month sentence after pleading guilty in 2022 and was released in 2024 according to federal records. The documentary addresses this outcome and its implications for the family’s ongoing safety concerns.
