RIGBY, IDAHO — What began as a simple online course quickly spiraled into a dangerous obsession that lasted five months.

Edward John Kay, 53, a student from Rigby, Idaho, was arrested on July 17, 2025, for stalking a clinical psychologist teaching a psychosis class at a Massachusetts university extension school.

The professor, whose name is withheld for safety reasons, first encountered Kay during a Zoom lecture on January 28. Almost immediately, she suspected Kay had done extensive research on her before their interaction.

Following that single class, Kay began an alarming campaign of harassment — sending more than 80 messages through LinkedIn and email. His messages expressed unwanted declarations of love, made references to her child, and included disturbing comments about separating her from her husband.

In one message, Kay wrote:

"I miss you—truly, deeply—with all of my heart and soul. That day I saw you on Zoom… You were the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

The professor and her husband felt increasingly unsafe as the messages continued. They took serious precautions, installing security systems and staying at a family friend’s home whenever they feared Kay might be nearby.

The university responded by banning Kay from further courses after he escalated the situation by contacting university officials, including the president. Kay also filed a complaint against the professor with the Massachusetts Bureau of Health Professions Licensure, an unusual move in the ongoing conflict.

Kay now faces cyberstalking charges, carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. It is currently unknown whether he has legal representation.

This case highlights the dark side of online learning and the real dangers that can arise from obsessive behavior crossing virtual boundaries.

Mass Daily News will continue to follow this story as it develops.