Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber Granted Long-Term Restraining Order Against Accused Stalker
Supermodel Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber have been granted long-term restraining orders against a man accused of stalking and threatening their family, following a disturbing series of incidents that left both women in “severe emotional distress.”
According to court filings, Daniel Lee Schoonover, 35, was ordered by a Los Angeles judge to remain at least 100 yards away from the models’ homes, workplaces, and vehicles.
The ruling also requires him to surrender a registered firearm within 24 hours.
A Timeline of Fear
The case began earlier this year when Schoonover allegedly appeared uninvited at a Massachusetts theater where Gerber was performing in White Girls Gang.
According to her statement, he approached her backstage and bizarrely asked if she would “join him in a séance.”
Daniel Lee Schoonover, 35, is the man pictured in this security footage. He was served with a temporary restraining order after Kaia Gerber and Cindy Crawford alleged he threatened their lives. (Photo: Judicial Council of California)
Months later, he reportedly surfaced outside Crawford’s Southern California home, dressed in black and captured on security cameras.
Crawford told the court that he rang the doorbell and asked if Kaia lived there.
“I do not know how Mr. Schoonover learned my address,” she wrote in her petition. “It is terrifying that he has threatened to murder me and my husband after finding out where we live.”
Gerber, 24, described experiencing severe anxiety and emotional trauma, saying she remains “terrified” by his attempts to locate her and his “sexually graphic” and “threatening” online messages.
Legal Context: Stalking and Harassment Under California Law
Under California Penal Code §646.9, stalking that includes credible threats or repeated harassment can carry up to five years in prison and additional penalties if the target is a public figure.
Legal experts say the court’s decision to grant long-term protection orders underscores a growing judicial emphasis on the mental health impact of digital and in-person stalking.
“Technology is not inherently harmful but its anonymity ‘amplifies and perpetuates the harm instigated by abusers.’” — Carrie Goldberg, attorney and specialist in online abuse and cyberstalking.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
Both Crawford and her husband, Rande Gerber, are now covered by the restraining order after Schoonover allegedly threatened him as well.
The model previously faced another stalking incident in 2022, and sources close to the family say this latest case has left them “on edge but grateful for the court’s swift action.”
Kaia Gerber stuns in a delicate white lace look. (Photo: @kaiagerber Instagram)
Despite the ordeal, Kaia has continued performing and modelling. She spoke in 2024 about her evolving relationship with her mother, saying, “We’ve built a friendship outside of the mother-daughter dynamic. It’s something that’s brought us even closer.”
Crawford added in a separate interview, “We went to Burning Man together, it was one of those experiences that really bonded us as adults.”
The family has not issued a new public statement since Friday’s ruling.
Celebrity Stalking and Victim Protection
Is this kind of case common under current law?
Yes. Celebrity stalking cases have risen sharply since 2020, with Los Angeles County reporting a 30% increase in restraining order filings tied to digital harassment and doxxing.
What penalties apply if convicted?
Under California law, stalking can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. Aggravating factors—such as prior threats, possession of weapons, or violation of restraining orders—can result in up to five years’ imprisonment and mandatory psychological counseling.
How does this reflect changing social attitudes?
There’s been a cultural shift toward treating stalking as an issue of psychological terror, not just nuisance behavior. Courts increasingly weigh emotional harm, especially when the victims are public figures or women in the entertainment industry.
What legal protections exist for victims of online harassment?
California’s Cyber Harassment Law (Penal Code §653.2) allows victims to seek protective orders for online threats, even if no physical approach occurs—an important tool in the age of digital celebrity.
What the Crawford-Gerber Case Reveals About Modern Stalking Laws
The Crawford-Gerber restraining order illustrates how U.S. courts are evolving in response to modern stalking—where emotional trauma, online threats, and physical intimidation often collide.
The case reinforces the importance of swift judicial protection and the growing role of mental health awareness in shaping court outcomes.
As technology blurs the line between public and private life, this ruling underscores that the justice system is adapting to protect victims of persistent harassment—whether the threat comes from a stranger at the door or a message on a screen.
