Astronaut arrested in bizarre kidnapping plot

[Brent]

This may be the strangest thing I have ever read.

Astronaut arrested in alleged kidnap attempt
Lisa Nowak waited in hiding for woman she considered a romantic rival
Associated Press
Updated: 2 minutes ago

ORLANDO, Fla. - An astronaut drove from Houston to Florida, donned a disguise and confronted a woman she believed was romantically involved with a space shuttle pilot she was in love with, police said. She was charged with attempted kidnapping and other counts.

U.S. Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew last July on a shuttle mission to the international space station, was also charged with attempted vehicle burglary, destruction of evidence and battery. She was denied bail.

Police said Nowak drove from her home in Houston to the Orlando International Airport — wearing diapers so she wouldn't have to stop to urinate — to confront Colleen Shipman.

Nowak believed Shipman was romantically involved with Navy Cmdr. William Oefelein, a pilot during space shuttle Discovery's trip to the space station last December, police said.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16997958/

[HarlequinBoy]

Uhh, that's a bit um, strange.

The crazy things people do. Weird.

[Brent]

She was going to be released on bail but they are reporting now she is being charged with attempted murder as well.

Most-viewed story on news sites... LOL

[Lindaloo]

They probably changed the charge because of the items found in her car. Circumstantial.

[Cyclenall]

Did anyone else see this woman's mugshot? You can find it on the Wikipedia article about this. It is a bizarre story.

[Brent]

Did anyone else see this woman's mugshot? You can find it on the Wikipedia article about this. It is a bizarre story.

6 months ago:



Yesterday:



What happened?

Court appearance just wrapped... will be released on bail but will have a GPS tracking device.

[MGC]

I can hear the NASA announcer now: LIFTOFF! America's first Psychonaut in space!!!.

I wonder what the military is going to do with this love trio. As I recall adultery is a no-no under military law. UCMJ is clear, looks like some possible courtmaritals. These three have just trashed their careers....MGC

[abajan]

See?! I told you space was bad for you!
Seriously though, it's kind of sad when you think about it.

[GalvestonDuck]

I can hear the NASA announcer now: LIFTOFF! America's first Psychonaut in space!!!.

I wonder what the military is going to do with this love trio. As I recall adultery is a no-no under military law. UCMJ is clear, looks like some possible courtmaritals. These three have just trashed their careers....MGC

Why would all three have their careers trashed? Do we know if Shipman was really involved with Oefelein? Maybe Nowak was wrong and only speculating about any kind of "romantic rivalry." I haven't seen proof that shows Shipman was guilty of anything. For all we know, if Nowak had done more research, she may have found out she was wrong and then backed out of her plan. However, she's definitely in hot water now.

Is NASA considered part of the military and under the UCMJ?

I know they've said in the news that there's no rule against fraternization among astronauts. Of course, Nowak and Oefelein (I'm gonna get tired of typing that name after just one post!) are in the Navy also. What about Shipman? Is she also in a branch of the Armed Services? (Edit -- nevermind, just read that she's in the USAF).

Of course, I'm not saying she's innocent (Shipman). Just saying I don't really see how she was involved yet, except as the victim.

[MGC]

Duck, I read in the paper that Oefelein admitted being in a relationship with both women. He must have the right "stuff." NASA is not part of the military, but all three are military officers and subject to the UCMJ......MGC

[GalvestonDuck]

Ah, okay...didn't catch that. I read about emails from Shipman to Oefelein, but they didn't mention the content.

[Opal storm]

Doesn't NASA give these people psychological tests or something before they become astronauts?

[Chacor]

She has now been denied bail:

A US astronaut accused of attacking a woman she considered competition for the affection of a shuttle pilot has been charged with attempted murder.

Earlier a Florida court had ordered that Navy Capt Lisa Nowak, 43, who was facing charges of attempted kidnapping and battery, could be freed on bail.

However, the introduction of the more serious charge that she intended to murder Colleen Shipman reverses that.

A mother of three, Capt Nowak flew on the space shuttle Discovery last July.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6335947.stm

[coriolis]

I wonder if the diapers were stolen NASA property.

[Brent]

Doesn't NASA give these people psychological tests or something before they become astronauts?

Yes, which makes you wonder about other astronauts.

It has now been revealed that the other woman has had a restraining order against her for 2 months.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Ok wow..that was just bizarre...diapers...wow...talk about obsession

[Miss Mary]

I feel badly for her husband and children. Even if she separated from him, she is not stable, obviously.

It will be interesting to see how this case turns out. She'll never go up in space again, that's for certain now!

[pojo]

It will be interesting to see if all 3 will be court marshalled...

[Chacor]

Nasa says it will review its psychological screening process after the arrest of an astronaut on an attempted murder charge.

Nasa's deputy administrator Shana Dale said the agency needed to make sure its screening was adequate.

More: Nasa reviews astronaut screening

[tropicana]

100% LOON-atic.