Samantha Stites, once a bright college freshman, met Christopher Thomas in 2011, never expecting that charm would turn into a dangerous obsession. Over time, Thomas’s fixation grew dark and relentless.
Despite Samantha’s repeated rejection, Thomas kept harassing her, leading her to obtain a six-year protection order in 2014. But once it expired, his harassment resumed. By 2022, his actions escalated drastically: Thomas kidnapped Samantha from her home and locked her in a soundproof underground bunker stocked to hold her for weeks.
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Thomas later admitted he was inspired by the Netflix thriller You when building this bunker. Samantha spent 13 hours trapped, unsure if she would live. Using skills from her social work training, she stayed calm, carefully talked to Thomas, and noticed his fear of prison.
Seizing on this, she promised she wouldn’t call the police if he let her go. To convince him further, she pretended to agree to a relationship. Thomas demanded she sleep with him to earn her freedom. With no choice, Samantha agreed, recalling later, “You promise me, Christopher, that if I sleep with you, you’ll let me out tonight.” He shook her hand on it.
After the attack, Thomas released her. Samantha sought medical care immediately and helped police find the bunker. Thomas was arrested within 48 hours and pleaded guilty to kidnapping, torture, and aggravated stalking, receiving a 40-to-60-year prison sentence.
Samantha credits her social work education for helping her think fast and survive. Her story is now featured in a Hulu documentary aimed at raising awareness about stalking and survival.
