She was held captive in a soundproof bunker by her stalker but one trick saved her life 😨

When college freshman **Samantha Stites** first met **Christopher Thomas** in 2011, she thought he was simply awkward. But what began as mild discomfort quickly spiraled into a nightmare that would consume more than a decade of her life.

Thomas developed a disturbing fixation, bombarding Stites with unwanted attention and messages despite her repeated rejections. In 2014, she secured a six-year personal protection order against him, but once it expired, his harassment returned.

By 2022, the obsession reached a terrifying peak. Investigators say Thomas kidnapped Stites from her home and confined her in a soundproof underground bunker he had built. The space was fully stocked, suggesting he intended to keep her captive for weeks. Chillingly, Thomas admitted he was inspired by the Netflix thriller *You*.

For 13 harrowing hours, Stites remained his prisoner. Drawing on her training as a social worker, she stayed calm and engaged him in conversation. When she sensed his fear of prison, she promised not to contact authorities if he released her. To convince him further, she pretended to be open to a relationship. He demanded she sleep with him as a condition for her release. With no alternative, she agreed, later recounting: *“You promise me, Christopher, that if I sleep with you, you will let me out tonight.”*

After the assault, Thomas freed her. Stites immediately sought medical care and alerted police, leading to his arrest within 48 hours. He ultimately pleaded guilty to kidnapping, torture, and stalking, receiving a 40–60 year sentence.

Stites now shares her story in a new Hulu documentary, hoping to raise awareness about stalking, survival, and the instincts that saved her life.