Crime & Safety
Man Who Shot South Jersey's Christina Grimmie Grew Up In Abusive Household, Report Says
Kevin James Loibl became introverted and began playing video games. He identified with the pop star, who was also a gamer.
A little more than six months after Christina Grimmie, the former “The Voice” contestant and Evesham Township native who was fatally shot in Florida, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting details about the man who killed her and how his obsession might have begun.
Kevin James Loibl, 27, of St. Petersburg, Florida, grew up in an abusive household, blamed himself for his mother’s death, and eventually withdrew into the world of video games, according to the report released over the weekend.
Friends have told police he never showed an interest in girls until he discovered Grimmie on YouTube, according to the report.
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Grimmie was not an introvert like Loibl was, but she had become popular in the gamer world. She was a particular fan of “The Legend of Zelda,” and she and her brother, Mark, had tattoos that said “Player 1” and “Player 2” on their inner arms.
Grimmie, originally from Voorhees and a graduate of Cherokee High School, became a YouTube sensation for her renditions of popular songs and had more than 3 million followers. One of them was Loibl.
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Loibl took steps to improve his appearance for Grimmie, who move to Los Angeles in 2012 and rose to fame after competing on "The Voice" in 2014.
All throughout her career, friends and family said Grimmie maintained a certain level of faith and humility.
Loibl lost weight and got hair implants. He also bought two guns shortly before attending Grimmie’s concert at Orlando’s Plaza Live Theater in June.
Loibl was able to get into the concert without being searched, according to the report.
He fatally shot Grimmie as she signed autographs for fans after the show before fatally shooting himself.
Much of what police have been able to learn about Loibl’s life came from interviews with Loibl’s closest friend, Cory Dennington, who said he had become concerned about his friend’s obsession with the pop star.
The story was published a week after a “Wish Wall” was erected at Evesham Township Public Library in memory of Grimmie.
The attached image of Kevin James Loibl was previously provided by Orlando Police
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