The Unbelievable Story Of Lisa Nowak: From Astronaut To Infamous Stalker

Who is Lisa Nowak?

Lisa Marie Nowak (born May 10, 1963) is a former NASA astronaut and United States Navy captain who was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007.

After serving six months in jail, she was released in February 2008. Nowak's story has been the subject of much media attention, and she has been portrayed in several books and television shows.

Nowak was born in Washington, D.C., and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. She served as a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996.

Nowak flew on two space shuttle missions, STS-109 in 2002 and STS-121 in 2006. She was scheduled to fly on a third mission, STS-127, in 2007, but was removed from the crew after her arrest.

Nowak's attempted kidnapping and burglary charges stemmed from an incident in February 2007, in which she drove from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, to confront Colleen Shipman, a woman who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein.

Nowak was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007 and served six months in jail.

After her release from jail, Nowak worked as a private investigator and a motivational speaker.

Lisa Nowak

Lisa Nowak is a former NASA astronaut and United States Navy captain who was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007. Her story has been the subject of much media attention, and she has been portrayed in several books and television shows.

• Astronaut
• Navy captain
• Attempted kidnapping
• Burglary
• Media attention
• Books
• Television shows

Nowak's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the importance of mental health. It is also a reminder that even the most seemingly successful people can be capable of.

1. Astronaut

Lisa Nowak is a former NASA astronaut and United States Navy captain. She was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007.

• NASA Astronaut
  

  Nowak was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. She flew on two space shuttle missions, STS-109 in 2002 and STS-121 in 2006. She was scheduled to fly on a third mission, STS-127, in 2007, but was removed from the crew after her arrest.

• Navy Captain
  

  Nowak graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. She served as a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected as a NASA astronaut.

• Attempted Kidnapping and Burglary
  

  Nowak was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007. Her attempted kidnapping and burglary charges stemmed from an incident in February 2007, in which she drove from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, to confront Colleen Shipman, a woman who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein.

• Media Attention
  

  Nowak's story has been the subject of much media attention. She has been portrayed in several books and television shows.

Nowak's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and the importance of mental health. It is also a reminder that even the most seemingly successful people can be capable of.

2. Navy captain

Lisa Nowak is a former NASA astronaut and United States Navy captain. She was convicted of attempted kidnapping and burglary in 2007.

Nowak graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1985. She served as a naval aviator and test pilot before being selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996.

As a Navy captain, Nowak was responsible for leading and managing a team of sailors. She was also responsible for the safety and well-being of her crew.

Nowak's experience as a Navy captain helped her to become a successful astronaut. She was able to use her leadership and management skills to work effectively with her crewmates and to complete her missions safely and successfully.

The connection between "Navy captain" and "lisa nowak" is significant because it highlights the importance of leadership and management skills in the field of space exploration. Nowak's experience as a Navy captain helped her to become a successful astronaut and to contribute to the success of NASA's space program.

3. Attempted Kidnapping

In February 2007, Lisa Nowak was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary in connection with an incident involving Colleen Shipman, a woman who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein.

• Obsession and stalking
  

  Nowak had been stalking Oefelein and Shipman for months prior to the attempted kidnapping. She had sent them numerous emails and text messages, and had even driven to Oefelein's house on several occasions.

• Premeditation
  

  Nowak's attempted kidnapping was premeditated. She had purchased a BB gun, a knife, and pepper spray, and had driven from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, to confront Shipman.

• Intent
  

  Nowak's intent was to kidnap Shipman and take her back to Texas. She had duct tape and zip ties in her car, and had planned to use them to restrain Shipman.

• Failure
  

  Nowak's attempted kidnapping failed. She was arrested by police before she could reach Shipman.

The attempted kidnapping of Colleen Shipman is a serious crime. It is a reminder that stalking and obsession can lead to violence. It is also a reminder that even the most seemingly successful people can be capable of.

4. Burglary

In February 2007, Lisa Nowak was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary in connection with an incident involving Colleen Shipman, a woman who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein.

The burglary charge stems from Nowak's alleged attempt to break into Shipman's car. Nowak is accused of using a knife to cut the convertible top of Shipman's car and then reaching inside to unlock the door.

The burglary charge is significant because it indicates that Nowak was planning to kidnap Shipman and take her back to Texas. The fact that she was willing to break into Shipman's car shows that she was determined to carry out her plan, even if it meant committing a crime.

The burglary charge also highlights the seriousness of Nowak's actions. Burglary is a felony offense that can carry a significant prison sentence. The fact that Nowak is facing this charge shows that the authorities are taking her alleged crimes very seriously.

5. Media attention

The case of Lisa Nowak has generated a significant amount of media attention. This is due to a number of factors, including the high-profile nature of the crime, Nowak's status as a former NASA astronaut, and the salacious details of the case.

• The high-profile nature of the crime
  

  The attempted kidnapping and burglary charges against Nowak are serious crimes. They are also the type of crimes that tend to generate a lot of media attention. This is because they are often seen as being particularly heinous and depraved.

• Nowak's status as a former NASA astronaut
  

  Nowak's status as a former NASA astronaut has also contributed to the media attention surrounding her case. Nowak was a highly accomplished astronaut who had flown on two space shuttle missions. Her fall from grace has been particularly shocking to the public.

• The salacious details of the case
  

  The details of Nowak's case are also particularly salacious. The case involves allegations of stalking, obsession, and violence. These details have made the case even more appealing to the media.

The media attention surrounding the case of Lisa Nowak has had a number of consequences. It has helped to raise awareness of the dangers of stalking and obsession. It has also led to a public discussion about the mental health of astronauts.

6. Books

Several books have been written about Lisa Nowak and her attempted kidnapping and burglary charges. These books provide a variety of perspectives on the case, from Nowak's own account to the perspectives of journalists and experts.

• True Crime
  

  True crime books about Lisa Nowak provide a detailed account of the case, including the events leading up to the attempted kidnapping, the trial, and the aftermath. These books often include interviews with Nowak, her family, and friends, as well as experts on stalking and domestic violence.

• Psychology
  

  Psychology books about Lisa Nowak explore the psychological factors that may have contributed to her actions. These books often draw on theories of stalking, obsession, and mental illness to explain Nowak's behavior.

• Media
  

  Media books about Lisa Nowak examine the role of the media in the case. These books discuss the way that the media portrayed Nowak and her case, and how this portrayal may have influenced public opinion.

• Women in STEM
  

  Some books about Lisa Nowak also explore the issue of women in STEM fields. These books discuss the challenges that women face in these fields, and how Nowak's case may have shed light on these challenges.

The books about Lisa Nowak provide a valuable resource for understanding the case and its implications. These books offer a variety of perspectives on the case, and they can help readers to understand the psychological, social, and media factors that contributed to Nowak's actions.

7. Television shows

Several television shows have featured Lisa Nowak and her attempted kidnapping and burglary charges. These shows have provided a platform for discussing the case and its implications, and they have helped to raise awareness of the dangers of stalking and obsession.

One of the most well-known television shows about Lisa Nowak is "Snapped." This show features episodes that focus on women who have committed violent crimes. The episode about Nowak explores her background, her relationship with William Oefelein, and the events leading up to the attempted kidnapping. The episode also includes interviews with experts on stalking and domestic violence.

Another television show that has featured Lisa Nowak is "Dateline NBC." This show features episodes that focus on true crime stories. The episode about Nowak explores the case in detail, including the trial and the aftermath. The episode also includes interviews with Nowak's family and friends, as well as experts on stalking and domestic violence.

The television shows about Lisa Nowak have helped to raise awareness of the dangers of stalking and obsession. These shows have also provided a platform for discussing the case and its implications. By shedding light on this case, these shows have helped to prevent other tragedies from happening.

FAQs about Lisa Nowak

This section answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Lisa Nowak, her attempted kidnapping and burglary charges, and the media attention surrounding her case.

Question 1: What are the charges against Lisa Nowak?

Answer: Lisa Nowak was charged with attempted kidnapping and burglary in connection with an incident involving Colleen Shipman, a woman who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein.

Question 2: What are the details of the attempted kidnapping?

Answer: Nowak is accused of driving from Houston, Texas, to Orlando, Florida, to confront Shipman. She allegedly purchased a BB gun, a knife, and pepper spray, and planned to use duct tape and zip ties to restrain Shipman.

Question 3: What is the significance of the burglary charge?

Answer: The burglary charge indicates that Nowak was planning to kidnap Shipman and take her back to Texas. She is accused of using a knife to cut the convertible top of Shipman's car and reaching inside to unlock the door.

Question 4: Why has the case of Lisa Nowak generated so much media attention?

Answer: The case has generated media attention due to its high-profile nature, Nowak's status as a former NASA astronaut, and the salacious details of the case.

Question 5: What are the implications of the case?

Answer: The case has raised awareness of the dangers of stalking and obsession, and has led to a public discussion about the mental health of astronauts.

Summary: Lisa Nowak's case is a complex and tragic one. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly successful people can be capable of terrible crimes. The case has also highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and the dangers of stalking and obsession.

Transition: For more information on Lisa Nowak and her case, please see the following resources:

Lisa Nowak

Lisa Nowak's case is a complex and tragic one. It is a reminder that even the most seemingly successful people can be capable of terrible crimes. The case has also highlighted the importance of mental health awareness and the dangers of stalking and obsession.

Nowak's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of letting obsession and jealousy consume one's life. It is also a reminder that everyone is capable of change, and that it is never too late to seek help.