Scary news for Scarlett Johansson! The actress’ request for a restraining order against an obsessed fan has been denied by the courts. This leaves Scarlett and her family feeling vulnerable after a year of alleged harassment.
Fanatic Fan Becomes a Legal Nightmare
The trouble reportedly began in August 2022 when a man named Michael Joseph Branham started showing up at Scarlett’s house, leaving creepy notes and toys. Things escalated quickly, with Branham allegedly believing he fathered one of Scarlett’s children (with husband Colin Jost) and even trying to contact the child!
A Pattern of Obsessive Behavior
Court documents detail Branham’s disturbing actions, including showing up at Scarlett’s home repeatedly, following her neighbors, and even implying he needed financial support from the actress. Johansson felt unsafe and filed for a restraining order in November 2023.
A Technical Glitch with Big Consequences
Unfortunately, due to a technicality (Scarlett’s lawyer couldn’t serve Branham with the paperwork), the judge was forced to dismiss the restraining order. This means Scarlett and her family are back to square one, with no legal protection from this obsessed fan.
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What’s Next for Scarlett?
It’s unclear if Scarlett will take further legal action. One thing’s for sure: this situation is unsettling, and we hope Scarlett finds a way to keep herself and her family safe.
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