A terrifying ordeal at home
Sabrina Carpenter has been granted a temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker after a series of deeply unsettling incidents at her Hollywood Hills home. The Los Angeles County Court issued the order against William Applegate, 31, on Friday, prohibiting him from coming within 100 yards of the property — which the 27-year-old pop star shares with her sister and brother-in-law. Applegate is also banned from approaching Carpenter's car and workplace under the terms of the order.
What actually happened on 23 May
According to court documents, the most alarming incident took place on 23 May, when Applegate allegedly trespassed onto a neighbour's property, made his way to Carpenter's front door and attempted to force it open. Ring doorbell camera footage submitted alongside the legal filings shows a man trying to open the door before being confronted by a security guard. Despite being ordered to leave, Applegate allegedly refused — insisting that the Espresso singer knew him personally and was expecting his visit. Police were eventually called to remove him. He was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespassing, a misdemeanour, but allegedly returned to the neighbourhood less than 24 hours later and again the day after that.
A pattern of escalating behaviour
Carpenter's legal declaration states that Applegate had been parking in her neighbourhood since at least 20 April, gradually choosing spots closer and closer to her home — a detail that LAPD Detective Peter Doomanis described as highly concerning. The detective warned that Applegate appeared to have developed a dangerous obsession with the star, and that his behaviour followed a well-recognised and worrying trajectory.
"The pattern of his conduct, which may have begun as early as approximately 20 April 2026, reflects the hallmarks of a fixated, obsessional individual. This trajectory is consistent with well-documented patterns of stalking behaviour that pose a serious and escalating risk to victim safety." — Detective Peter Doomanis, LAPD
Carpenter speaks out in her own words
The Grammy-winning star — who has scored top-three hits on both sides of the Atlantic with tracks including Espresso, Please Please Please and Manchild — made clear in her signed declaration just how profoundly shaken she has been by the ordeal. She described the 23 May incident as among the most disturbing violations of personal safety and privacy she has ever experienced. A follow-up court hearing is scheduled for 17 June, with Applegate due in criminal court the following day. Carpenter's legal team is seeking a full, permanent restraining order.
