Amy Cohen, a 36-year-old former doctor, saw her once-promising career come crashing down after an unsettling series of events led her to jail.
Her obsession with her ex-boyfriend’s new partner spiraled out of control, resulting in a campaign of harassment that would forever change her life and the lives of those around her.
A Mental Breakdown and Stalking Campaign
Cohen’s downfall began after her ex-boyfriend moved on to a new relationship.
Devastated by the breakup, she began to stalk not only him but also his new partner.
Her behavior took a disturbing turn as she started leaving threatening fliers, featuring images of the woman with crosses drawn over her eyes.
The fliers, which were delivered to family members, accused the new partner of promoting Islamophobia and included chilling threats, warning that the family would be “ended” unless they left the state.
This strange and unsettling campaign escalated as Cohen’s mental state deteriorated, leading to a tragic and dangerous act.
The Arson Attack
On November 30, 2023, Cohen took her obsession to an extreme when she set fire to the home of her ex’s 99-year-old grandmother.
The fire, which was discovered before it could fully consume the home, could have been devastating.
Fortunately, the elderly woman was able to escape unharmed.
Cohen’s ex-boyfriend soon recognized her in the surveillance footage from the arson, leading to her arrest.
Police investigations revealed that Cohen had been obsessively researching the new couple’s whereabouts, even stalking them on social media.
In her car, authorities discovered lighter fluid and copies of the threatening fliers.
A Career Destroyed
Cohen, who had been working as an infectious disease physician at the Medical Specialist Association, had her medical license suspended following her arrest.
The charges against her included arson, reckless endangerment, terroristic threats, and related crimes.
Though charges of attempted murder and assault were eventually dismissed after Cohen completed six months of inpatient treatment at a Mississippi mental health facility, the damage to her career and reputation was irreversible.
The Struggles Behind the Actions
A psychologist who treated Cohen explained that she had struggled with ADHD, borderline personality disorder, and anxiety for most of her life.
In addition, she had been abusing Adderall, which compounded her issues.
According to the psychologist, the intense pressures of working during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed Cohen into an “amphetamine-induced psychosis,” which likely played a role in her erratic behavior.
Legal Consequences and Public Apology
During her sentencing, Cohen’s defense team argued that she should be spared prison time in favor of continuing her rehabilitation.
However, Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy Rothstein rejected this request, stating that Cohen needed to face the consequences of her actions.
The victim of Cohen’s attack also spoke in court, expressing the lasting trauma caused by Cohen’s actions.
The 101-year-old grandmother, still haunted by the incident, often asks about the woman who tried to burn down her home.
The victim criticized Cohen for her “total disregard for human life,” especially given that Cohen was a doctor.
In a moment of remorse, Cohen apologized in court, acknowledging the gravity of her actions.
“I know me saying I’m deeply sorry doesn’t compensate for my actions, but I hope you are able to begin to heal,” she said.
Moving Forward
Cohen’s case serves as a chilling reminder of how a person’s mental health struggles and obsessive behavior can have devastating consequences.
Despite her apology and her efforts to rehabilitate, the damage she caused cannot be undone, leaving behind a trail of emotional scars for her victims.