The suspect allegedly bombarded Aniston with messages for two years before crashing into her home gates.
Mississippi man has been charged with stalking and vandalism after he allegedly harassed Friends star Jennifer Aniston for two years before dramatically crashing his car through the gates of her Los Angeles mansion.
Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, 48, was arrested on Monday after he drove his grey Chrysler PT Cruiser into the front gate of Aniston’s Bel Air estate. According to Los Angeles prosecutors, the incident caused major damage to the property—though fortunately, no one was injured.
A A uthorities confirmed that Jennifer Aniston, 55, was at home when the crash occurred early Monday afternoon. A quick-thinking security guard on-site confronted Carwyle and detained him until LAPD officers arrived. He has remained in custody since the incident.
Carwyle is accused of having stalked the Hollywood actress since 2023. Prosecutors allege he repeatedly sent Aniston a stream of unwanted voicemails, emails, and social media messages over a two-year period. The messages reportedly intensified in tone, prompting concerns for the actress’s safety.
Now, Carwyle faces felony charges of stalking and vandalism, with an added aggravating circumstance due to the threat of great bodily harm, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed.
“My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting those who stalk and terrorise others, ensuring they are held accountable,” Hochman said in a statement.
Carwyle is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. His bail has been set at $150,000 (£112,742), and he faces a maximum of three years in state prison if convicted on all charges.
The crash shattered the calm in one of LA’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. Aniston’s sprawling 3.4-acre property, which she purchased for around $21 million (£15.78m) in 2012, sits in the ultra-wealthy enclave of Bel Air. The home is known for its mid-century design and sweeping views of the city.
Security concerns have plagued many celebrities in Los Angeles, and Aniston’s case is a high-profile reminder of the ongoing threat posed by obsessive fans and stalkers. Legal experts say the felony stalking charge indicates that prosecutors believe Carwyle’s actions went beyond nuisance and posed a real risk to Aniston’s wellbeing.
Though Aniston has not publicly commented on the incident, sources close to the star say she is “shaken but unharmed” and grateful for the swift action by her private security and LAPD.
Jennifer Aniston rose to global stardom in the 1990s playing Rachel Green on the hit NBC sitcom Friends. Her performance earned her an Emmy Award and cemented her place as one of America’s most beloved actresses. Since then, she’s starred in dozens of films and currently leads the cast of The Morning Show on Apple TV+.
While she is no stranger to public attention, this incident underscores the darker side of celebrity—where fame can invite unwanted and dangerous obsession.
As the case proceeds through the Los Angeles court system, Aniston is expected to increase security measures at her home. Prosecutors have not revealed if a restraining order has been requested or issued, but such action is common in stalking cases.
