RAMSEY COUNTY, Minn. — A White Bear Township woman — dubbed “the neighbor from hell” — has been charged after authorities say she repeatedly stalked her neighbors, forcing them to sell their home.
Lori Elaine Christensen, 58, is charged with one felony count and one gross misdemeanor count of stalking, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday, May 27, in Ramsey County District Court. Authorities say Christensen stalked her next-door neighbors from 2016 until they moved out in 2019. A relative of the neighbors later moved into the home and also moved out due to Christensen’s behavior.
The home, which is located on the 5200 block of East Street, was recently put up for sale. According to the complaint, the real estate agent for the owners of the home called 911 to report that Christensen harassed other agents and potential buyers when they arrived to tour the home.
Christensen recorded the home owners repeatedly since they moved into the home in 2016 while they were outside or doing yard work, the complaint said. She also cut their cable and Internet lines and placed a mannequin head on a stake on her deck that she would turn to face the neighbors. Christensen frequently yelled at the neighbors when they were outside, causing their daughter to not want to go out in the yard over fear of being filmed, the complaint said.
One of the home’s owners wrote to police, “We fear for our lives and for the lives of the renters and prospective home buyers and agents. I simply cannot handle the harassment and stress caused due to this situation. I am losing sleep. I even experience a physical reaction when I am faced with a situation that involves her. I start shaking and feel very sick to my stomach from fear. This fear starts the minute I turn on to our street or even hear of a situation that involves Ms. Christensen.”
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When the home was put up for sale, multiple agents told police that prospective buyers felt threatened by Christensen and decided not to buy the home, the complaint said. Christensen yelled profanities at prospective buyers and recorded them, among other acts, the complaint said. The mannequin head also frightened the clients.
Christensen told police that the neighbors borrowed lawn tools from her and broke them, according to the complaint. She said the prospective buyers of the home approached her, and that she has a First Amendment right to freedom of speech
Christensen has previous convictions for harassment and domestic violence. She had her first court appearance Friday and her next appearance is scheduled for June 24. Christensen is currently out on bond.
