What if someone spent over a decade stalking you, culminating in a terrifying incident that changed your life forever? This is the haunting reality for Samantha Stites, whose story is grippingly recounted in the documentary "Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror." As she bravely relives her harrowing experience, her tale serves as a stark reminder of the unseen dangers that can lurk in everyday life.

In the chilling documentary, Samantha reveals how her life spiraled into terror when a Michigan man named Christopher Thomas, 39, was sentenced to a staggering 40 to 60 years in prison for kidnapping and torturing her. Their nightmare began with Thomas's persistent stalking, which escalated over the course of a decade and ultimately culminated in a horrifying 14-hour ordeal in a soundproof bunker he built in a storage unit.

In an emotional victim impact statement during the sentencing, Samantha confessed, “I wondered if I would see daylight again... I shook and sobbed after he raped me; I wasn't sure he would stop.” This raw truth draws us into her experience, pushing us to confront the realities of stalking and its devastating consequences.

The documentary, "Stalking Samantha: 13 Years of Terror," launched on streaming platforms Hulu and Disney+ on August 19, 2024, aims to shed light on the painful journey of stalking survivors. Samantha had previously sought protection from her stalker through the legal system, but the system failed her: her request for an ex parte personal protection order was denied just months before her kidnapping.

The saga began in 2011 when Samantha, then a college student at Grand Valley State University, encountered Thomas at a Christian group she attended. Initially, she perceived him as a lonely figure seeking connection, but as time went on, his affection morphed into obsession.

Despite Samantha's attempts to set boundaries, Thomas's fixation worsened. He showed up at her workplace with flowers, followed her to sports practices, and even tracked her movements with GPS devices placed secretly on her car and those of her friends. His relentless stalking was a chilling reflection of how quickly a seemingly innocent acquaintance could spiral into a nightmare.

On October 7, 2022, everything changed. Thomas broke into Samantha's home, kidnapping her and taking her to a bunker he had meticulously prepared for this very moment. “He spent thousands of dollars on creating this box to spend time with Sam,” Detective Mike Matteucci said, emphasizing the premeditated nature of Thomas's crime.

Inside the bunker, Thomas laid bare his obsession, revealing that he had been tracking her for over a year. He displayed the tracking app on his phone, illustrating the extent of his control. Fearing for her life, Samantha engaged him in conversation, ultimately using her wits to convince him to let her go by promising not to report him. Her escape was not just a physical release; it marked a turning point in her life.

Once free, she sought medical help and reported the crime to the authorities. The investigation unveiled Thomas's previous conviction for stalking another woman, confirming a systematic pattern of behavior that had gone unchecked. A former victim, identified only as Kelli, expressed her fears about Thomas's potential to strike again, saying, “I always knew that there would be somebody else.”

During the sentencing, Judge Kevin Elsenheimer acknowledged the severity of Thomas's actions, noting the potential for reoffense. He referenced Thomas's conversations in jail as evidence of his obsession, highlighting how determined he was to impose his will.

Despite the lengthy sentence, Samantha reflects on the complex nature of justice. She stated, “Justice is a funny thing. It doesn't necessarily come in the form of prison years… But knowing that I'm finally turning the page on this means a lot. I felt free.” Her case has also prompted changes in Michigan's legal system regarding protection orders, ensuring that prior PPOs are taken into account more seriously.

According to national statistics, 1 in 3 women will experience stalking in their lifetime. Samantha's story is a clarion call for awareness and action, urging women who have faced similar experiences to realize that change is possible. As she poignantly expressed, “I want them to see my story and think things can change.”