The Peculiar Truth about Conan O’Brien’s Priest Stalker

• November 2007, NYC: A man arrived at Studio 6A in Rockefeller Center to be in the audience for a taping of Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Security detained him. He was arrested on two counts of aggravated harassment and a single count of stalking.

• David Ajemian, then age 46, had been stalking Conan O’Brien for over a year.

• He was also an ordained Catholic priest.

• Celebrity security services rarely use the word ‘stalker.’ Security professionals instead describe them as ‘super fans.’ (At least, that was my experience during the 20 years I worked for Robin Williams.)

• Some super fans never meet their celebrity obsessions in person. They might only harass them in writing or by voicemail.

• Some super fans have bad intentions. Many are harmless nuisances. Most have mental health issues.

• None of them are members of the clergy. Except David Ajemian.

• The priest was affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston. He was ordained in 2001 and was a vicar in his hometown of Stoneham in June 2007, just months before his arrest.

• His father had been a journalist for Time magazine.

• Ajemian had two things in common with Conan O’Brien. They were both born and raised in Massachusetts, and both attended Harvard University at the same time in the 1980s. Ajemian graduated two years ahead of O’Brien, and it’s doubtful they ever met at college.

• Starting in 2006, the priest stalked the late night talk show host either through an Internet fan site or via handwritten letters mailed to O’Brien’s home, to his office, and to his parents’ address.

• In his communications Ajemian referred to himself as “Padre” and “your priest stalker” who “has been tracking you through space and time.” He also called himself one of O’Brien’s “most dangerous fans,” and made a reference to a mobster who “dodged a bullet in your building and so can you.”

• In one letter, the priest wrote that the comedian should make “a public confession before I even consider giving you absolution.” The reason for the proposed confession was never stated. He also alluded to appearing on the show.

• In another correspondence Ajemian mentioned a life-long “nemesis” who had bullied him ever since they both attended grade school together. He claimed that person was tennis star John McEnroe.

• The priest underwent a psychological evaluation, and a Manhattan judge declared him mentally fit to stand trial. Ajemian’s defense attorney told the court that his client had been suffering mental health problems for several years.

• Following Ajemian’s arrest, the Archdiocese of Boston put him on leave.

• The priest was found guilty on all charges, given a small fine, and ordered to stop communicating with Conan O’Brien.

• 2010: Ajemian was arrested again, this time for harassing a Boston TV news personality. The newsman already had a restraining order against the priest.

• The Archdiocese arranged for Ajemian to receive treatment, but he left the facility before completing it. The church then defrocked him.

• He told reporters that he thought getting on Conan O’Brien’s show would be funny, and he blamed his behavior on doctor-prescribed medications. He also claimed to have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

• No other reports of David Ajemian’s status or whereabouts have appeared since 2010.