A 40-year-old man, Robert Cole Parmalee, has admitted guilt in a stalking case involving University of Connecticut women's basketball standout Paige Bueckers. Parmalee's infatuation with the athlete was evident in his social media pronouncements, where he declared his intention to marry her.
His arrest in August near Hartford, Connecticut's Bradley International Airport revealed he was carrying an engagement ring and lingerie. Parmalee informed authorities he had flown from the Pacific Northwest with the goal of visiting Bueckers at UConn. This encounter led to his detainment due to an outstanding warrant from Oregon, where he was accused of arson involving occupied premises.
Parmalee's obsessive behavior included posting about Bueckers on platforms like TikTok and sending emails to UConn officials expressing his desire to marry her. While these actions initially didn't lead to charges, the escalating nature of his communications prompted concern. The original charges against Parmalee—stalking, breach of peace, and harassment—were consolidated into a single count of second-degree stalking.
Bueckers, a two-time All-American, currently leads the Big East conference with impressive statistics, averaging 20.6 points per game and boasting a 58.4 shooting percentage. Her collegiate career highlights include being recognized as AP Player of the Year and receiving both the Wooden and Naismith Awards during her freshman year. After missing the 2022-23 season due to an ACL tear, she made a strong comeback, earning All-American honors once again. Her team's journey in the most recent season concluded with a Final Four loss to South Carolina.
