Terrifying new details have surfaced about a chilling plot that nearly targeted global pop star Justin Bieber at the height of his fame. Dana Martin, a convicted murderer already serving two life sentences for the rape and murder of 15-year-old DeAndra Florucci, masterminded the gruesome plan while incarcerated in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Martin, who shockingly had a tattoo of Bieber on his leg, had an unhealthy obsession with the singer. He had even sent Bieber multiple handwritten letters in failed attempts to make contact. His fixation would soon take a far darker turn.
A Sinister Plan Unfolds
Speaking in the Investigation Discovery docuseries Hollywood Demons, former corrections officer Edgar Pinon revealed chilling conversations he had with Martin. According to Pinon, Martin privately disclosed that he had recruited two individuals — fellow inmate Mark Staake and Staake’s nephew Tanner Ruane — to carry out the plan. Their mission was horrifying: first, murder a couple in Vermont, then travel to New York where Bieber was scheduled to perform at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2012. The plan included abducting Bieber and his bodyguard, castrating the singer with handheld hedge clippers, and eventually murdering him. Martin had created a detailed “hit list,” supplying his recruits with specific instructions. However, fate intervened before their plan could be executed.
Plot Derailed by a Wrong Turn
On November 19, 2012, Staake and Ruane took a wrong turn while traveling and unintentionally crossed into Canada. U.S. Border Patrol officers stopped them, and during a search of their vehicle, authorities found shears and neckties — tools intended to commit the grisly crimes.
Following their arrests, investigators uncovered more of Martin’s deranged plot through taped confessions. In his confession, Martin admitted, “There’s these people that I wanted to get killed. What we wanted to do for possible notoriety… kidnapping him. The point of this whole thing was killing Justin Bieber.”
A Dark Desire for Fame
Despite the horrifying plan, Pinon believes Martin did not genuinely want Bieber dead. “In my opinion, I don’t think Dana actually wanted to murder Justin Bieber,” Pinon said. “If he did, he wouldn’t hear any more music from him or see any more news.”
Pinon suggested that Martin’s ultimate goal was to be recognized by Bieber, craving a twisted form of acknowledgment from the star. It was not only about violence — it was about desperate obsession and a need for fame, even if it meant resorting to horrific actions.
Martin was later transferred to the New Mexico State Penitentiary, a maximum-security facility, in 2013. There, he reportedly boasted, “I completely got away with putting a hit on Justin Bieber.”
Sentencing and Aftermath
After their failed attempt, Staake and Ruane were convicted on conspiracy charges. In 2015, Staake received a nine-year prison sentence for two counts of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, with the sentences running concurrently. Ruane had been convicted in 2014 under similar charges.
Meanwhile, Bieber, who was only 18 years old at the time, continued to ride the wave of his global superstardom following hits like “Baby” and “Boyfriend.” The plot serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers that celebrities can face behind the glitz and glamour.
Upcoming Docuseries Shines Light on the Case
The terrifying story will be further explored in Hollywood Demons: Stalking the Stars, premiering April 28 on Investigation Discovery. The special will delve into the dark realities of celebrity obsession and the dangers lurking behind fame.
Conclusion
The foiled plot against Justin Bieber serves as a chilling reminder that fame often comes with hidden dangers. Beneath the admiration and fanfare, there can lurk dark obsessions that escalate into real-world threats. Thanks to a series of fortunate missteps and law enforcement intervention, a horrific tragedy was narrowly avoided. As stories like these continue to emerge, they highlight the urgent need for better protections for public figures — and a deeper understanding of how obsession, mental health, and celebrity culture can sometimes collide with terrifying consequences. For Bieber, and countless other stars, the experience is a stark and haunting chapter in the cost of living life in the spotlight.
