ONTD Original: The True Crime Story Behind Natalie Portman's Astronaut Movie
The film Lucy in the Sky, starring Natalie Portman, is about an astronaut named Lucy who experiences psychological struggles after she lands back on earth. It is based on the real-life story of Lisa Nowak, an astronaut who became obsessed with another woman and plotted to kidnap her.
- In 2004, Lisa Nowak started cheating on her husband with another astronaut named William Oefelein, who was also married. Their affair broke up their marriages and lasted for two years... until he cheated on her with a woman 10 years younger than her named Colleen Shipman, an Air Force captain.
- Lisa Nowak did not take this well. She pretended to be accepting, but snuck into his apartment to read his graphic, sexual emails sent by him and Shipman.
- Nowak purchased pepper spray, a knife, rubber tubing, gloves, and a mallet. She made printouts of the emails, plus bondage pictures. She put on a wig and trenchcoat, then drove 900 miles from Houston to Orlando to intercept Colleen at the airport. To avoid making bathroom breaks, she wore an adult diaper commonly worn by astronauts in space.
- Lisa spied on Colleen as Colleen was getting into her car. Then, Lisa approached her, knocked on her window, and pepper-sprayed her.
- Colleen knew immediately who Nowak was, as Oefelein had once called her Lisa's name in bed. Police were able to catch Nowak, who claimed that she only wanted to talk to Colleen. Even when in police custody, Nowak was obsessed with talking to Shipman.
- Nowak was the first astronaut ever charged with a felony (attempted kidnapping and burglary with assault.) She claimed insanity and reached a plea bargain to receive one year of probation and some community service. Shipman believes that Nowak wanted to kill her.
- Anyways, Shipman and Oefelein are now together with a son. So... all's well that ends well?
True crime post?
Poll
source, source