Death photos of actress rebecca schaeffer

ByMarina Manoukian

When Rebecca Schaeffer was murdered in 1989, it set the wheels in motion for the nation's first anti-stalking laws. A rising '80s actress who seemed beloved by everyone, few could understand why anyone would murder her, seemingly in cold blood.

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Schaeffer was 21-years-old when she was waiting for the script of a movie she had an audition for, "The Godfather III," and although she knew that it was going to be a life-changing day, she had no idea the tragedy that was about to occur.

And while her death had a ripple effect that led to the nation's anti-stalking laws and some of the privacy protections in place today, it too little too late for Schaeffer and others.

In response to her murder, privacy protections across the country were strengthened and stalking was designated a crime for the first time in the United States.

In California, the LAPD also now has a special division know