Throughout his life, the late pop icon Michael Jackson was no stranger to the courtroom, often battling legal accusations ranging from serious allegations to unfounded personal claims. One particularly bizarre case unfolded in the 1990s, when a woman named Michelle Flowers came forward with an unusual story of paternity and deception.

Flowers, a Californian woman, claimed that she met Jackson in 1982 while staying with her husband at a hotel for the homeless in Compton. She alleged that Jackson had been staying on another floor and began appearing around her room, preaching religion and, according to her, obsessing over her. Things escalated when she claimed Jackson disguised himself and attempted to kidnap her, ultimately impregnating her “without her knowledge.” Ten months later, she gave birth to a son whom she alleged was fathered by the superstar.

In 1991, Flowers successfully obtained a restraining order against Jackson, alleging he stalked and harassed her. Three years later, in 1994, she filed a paternity and child support lawsuit demanding a $20 million annual settlement and a mansion, citing Jackson’s massive income as justification.

She appeared in court angry and frustrated that she and her son lived on welfare while, according to her estimation, Jackson earned up to $10 million per month. She further claimed Jackson continued to sneak into her neighborhood in disguise to torment her and her child.

Jackson’s legal team, led by Johnnie Cochran, denied all allegations. Cochran described Flowers as mentally unstable and a vexatious litigant who had filed multiple lawsuits against Jackson—most of which had already been dismissed. He argued that the case was merely a personal vendetta aimed at extorting Jackson.

After nine months of legal back-and-forth, Michael Jackson agreed to submit DNA samples to resolve the dispute once and for all. Two rounds of blood and genetic testing were conducted, both conclusively showing that Jackson was not the biological father of Flowers’ child. The tests revealed that Flowers’ former husband was more than 99% likely to be the father.

The court dismissed the case based on the DNA evidence. Still unsatisfied, Flowers demanded a third test, insisting the previous samples might have been “tainted,” drawing comparisons to the infamous O.J. Simpson case. The judge, frustrated with her repeated filings, labeled her an “annoying litigant” and ruled she would have to post a $15,000 bond before filing any further lawsuits against Jackson.

Years later, during Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, Flowers seemingly reversed her stance in a surprising written statement posted online. In it, she admitted that all the allegations she made against Jackson were fabrications and apologized for her past behavior.

“Anyone who believes that Michael Jackson is a child molester is either a liar or has a crack in their head,” she wrote. “There was absolutely no violence from Michael Jackson toward me or my children.”

She described their relationship as a “cosmic love affair” between two consenting adults, adding that her complaints were made in error. “It was wrong for me to complain years later about something that was actually wonderfully spectacular and spiritually miraculous.”

Flowers concluded by expressing her love for Jackson and concern for his well-being. “I love him, and I, like millions of others, am concerned for his life,” she stated, signing the message respectfully as Michelle Flowers.

Though the case was dismissed, it remains one of the more extreme examples of Michael Jackson’s lifelong experience with obsessive fans and controversial legal battles.