Heidi Van Tassel Attacked with Human Waste Near Hollywood Walk of Fame

In April 2019, Hollywood screenwriter Heidi Van Tassel was finishing a quiet evening out when a random act of violence left her traumatized for years. After dinner at a Thai restaurant near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, she walked to her car parked just steps away. A stranger suddenly approached, pulled her from the vehicle, dragged her into the middle of the street, and dumped a container of hot human feces over her head.

The Unprovoked Assault

Van Tassel later described the liquid as hot diarrhea that soaked her hair, face, eyelashes, clothing, and even the interior of her car. At first she thought it was an acid attack because of the heat and the way it clung to her skin. Paramedics arrived, hosed her down, and rushed her to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital. Doctors tested her for infectious diseases linked to contact with human waste, and she faced repeated testing every few months afterward.

The attack was completely unprovoked. Van Tassel has said she feared for her life in those moments, unsure whether the man intended to stab or further harm her. The physical ordeal was followed by lasting psychological damage. She developed post-traumatic stress disorder and has spoken openly about the fear that lingered long after the incident.

The Attacker and Court Outcome

Court records identified the attacker as Jere Blessings, a transient living with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Police charged him with battery. A judge later found him mentally unfit to stand trial. Authorities placed him in a residential mental health facility, where he remained for about two months before his release in August 2019.

Van Tassel expressed frustration that she received little communication from authorities about the case or his release. She has said she feels empathy for his mental illness and believes he needed consistent treatment more than simple incarceration, yet she also worried about the risk he might pose to others once back on the streets.

Lasting Impact

The story drew attention at the time as a particularly disturbing example of random street violence in Los Angeles. Van Tassel’s experience underscored the personal cost to victims and the ongoing challenges of addressing severe untreated mental illness in public spaces. She has called for better support systems both for people in crisis and for those harmed by their actions.

Years later, the incident remains a stark reminder of how quickly an ordinary night can turn into a lasting trauma.

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