A man in Riverview, Florida was planning to kidnap singer Lana Del Rey until Orlando police put a stop to it.
Michael Hunt, 43, was just feet from the Amway Center, where Del Rey was performing on Friday evening. Fortunately, Hunt never made contact with the musician and never even made inside the concert venue. He possessed both tickets to the show and a 3-inch folding knife.
Police received a phone call tipping them to Hunt's "cryptic and threatening" posts on social media, according to the Orlando Sentinel. According to the police report, there was "a concern for public safety” and “due to the statements posted by Hunt, victim Elizabeth Grant (Del Rey's real name) was in fear for her safety.” Hunt has been charged with aggravated stalking and attempted kidnapping with a weapon.
While the police did not reveal the exact threats, the Orlando Sentinel did report that on Tuesday he wrote on Facebook, "I want to see my queen on Friday and from that day forward our decisions will be as one." In a separate post, Hunt has written that Del Rey "knows my face in her dreams" and "she’s my always and forever to be." On Wednesday, Hunt apparently posted a video detailing his plans to get together with the singer. He said, "I’m going to probably finish out her tour with her, obviously, and dance and talk and figure out what we’re going to do." He continued, "Everyone knows that I’m here. Lana knows I’m here. The queen of England knows I’m here. Vladimir knows I’m here. They all know I’m here."
*Shudders.*
Hunt is currently being held on no bond at Orange County Jail.
Del Rey is currently on tour to support "Lust for Life," her 2017 album. In a statement on Twitter Sunday, Lana told fans she was "doing fine" after the incident and looking forward to her next shows.
