Minnesota Senate Candidate Says ‘Home Alone’ Inspired Tarantula Attack on Airbnb Guest

A Minnesota political candidate’s legal troubles are drawing national attention after a jury found her guilty of assault and harassment in a case that sounds more like a movie scene than a real-life dispute—complete with a live tarantula and a surprising nod to Home Alone.

According to People, Marisa Simonetti, 32, was convicted on March 13 of gross misdemeanor harassment, misdemeanor domestic assault, and disorderly conduct following a 2024 incident involving an Airbnb renter in her home.

Authorities said Simonetti threw a live tarantula down the stairs toward the basement unit where tenant Jacklyn Vasquez was staying, escalating an already tense situation. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 1.

Vasquez had been renting the basement while studying for the bar exam when conflicts over noise and pest issues began. The situation intensified on June 21, 2024, when Vasquez called 911 multiple times, reporting that Simonetti was banging pots and pans, shutting off internet access, and later entering the unit by dismantling a door.

Video evidence captured items—including small objects and what appeared to be terrarium contents—being thrown down the stairs, followed by the release of the tarantula.

Simonetti later said that she intentionally used the spider as a tactic, citing childhood memories of Home Alone as inspiration. “If I’m scared or hurt, I try and make jokes,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do, and so, yeah, I got the spider.”

She also claimed she purchased the tarantula from a pet store after believing Vasquez had no intention of leaving the property.

The reference to the 1990 film adds an unusual cultural layer to the case. In Home Alone, a tarantula famously crawls across actor Daniel Stern’s face in one of the film’s most memorable scenes.

Stern later confirmed the spider used in filming was real, recalling, “The answer to all three of those questions is ‘Yes,’” when asked if the tarantula, his fear, and his reaction were genuine.

The spider, reportedly named “Barry,” became an unexpected icon of the film’s slapstick chaos.

Back in Minnesota, Simonetti—who was running for a local county board seat at the time and is now campaigning as an independent for U.S. Senate—represented herself during the trial. Reflecting on the outcome, she said, “I was just outplayed. That’s all.”

She then declined further comment beyond court filings.