Former UFC champion BJ Penn has escalated his ongoing legal troubles with disturbing social media posts that appear to target both living individuals and a deceased person, raising serious concerns about his mental state as he faces criminal charges for violating a restraining order.
In a recent Instagram post, Penn issued what many are interpreting as veiled threats, writing:
“Of course BJ Penn would never lay a hand on anybody but I’m telling you right now Calsey, Kaleo, Jesse Kaala, Dummy or Whatever your name is the best thing you can do is get the f*** out of my houses because what’s coming is gonna be a lot worse than those pics.”
The post becomes particularly unsettling when examining the individuals Penn named. Among those he’s targeting is Calsey Brian Nobuyuki Santos, who died on May 1, 2012, at age 31. Penn included what appears to be Santos’ obituary photo in his threatening post, suggesting he believes the deceased man is somehow involved in what he perceives as harassment or invasion of his property.
Santos, who passed away over a decade ago, was described in his obituary as a Labor Supervisor and “John Harner’s right-hand man” at Harner Wall Systems. He left behind a young son and was survived by his parents and brother in the Hawaii area.
Penn’s inclusion of a dead person among his perceived antagonists has intensified concerns about his mental health, particularly given his recent court appearance where he made the startling claim that his 79-year-old mother, Lorraine Shin, “isn’t part of his family.”
The 46-year-old former champion appeared in Third Circuit Family Court following his Thursday arrest for allegedly violating a temporary restraining order obtained by his mother in May. Court documents reveal that Shin has described experiencing “extreme psychological abuse” from her son, who she claims has accused her of “killing his family and taking over his mother’s identity.”
In a rambling video posted before his court appearance, Penn referred to his mother as “fake Lorraine,” suggesting he believes she has been replaced by an imposter. Medical experts and court filings have raised the possibility that Penn may be suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome, a rare psychiatric condition where individuals believe close family members or friends have been replaced by identical imposters.
During his court appearance, Penn questioned why his case was being handled in family court rather than criminal court, telling the judge:
“This doesn’t have to do with the fact of me and Lorraine not being families.”
The judge clarified that it was “a criminal case in family court, sir.”
Penn’s social media activity has drawn widespread concern from fans and followers, with many urging him to seek immediate mental health treatment. Comments on his posts range from expressions of worry to direct pleas for intervention.
“He needs to be locked away immediately,”
wrote one commenter.
“It’s not fair to his family who is on edge right now about the possibility of him quite literally murdering them. Authorities need to step in asap.”
Another follower noted the tragic irony of Penn’s situation:
“Bra Calsie passed leave him out of this hurt the heart for see u bring him into this let him rest in peace.”
The former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion was released on $3,000 bail following his arrest at a residence on Pu’u’eo Street in Hilo. According to police reports, Penn had entered the property in violation of the active restraining order.
Prosecutors are reportedly seeking a court-ordered mental health examination for Penn, while the restraining order against him has been extended until November 23. He is required to vacate the Hilo home he shares with his mother and is scheduled to appear back in court.
Penn’s deteriorating condition represents a tragic fall for one of mixed martial arts’ most accomplished stars. He was the first American to win a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world championship at black belt level and became a two-division UFC champion before such achievements became common in the sport.
The situation has left the MMA community grappling with how to respond to a beloved figure whose behavior has become increasingly erratic and potentially dangerous. Penn’s references to deceased individuals as current threats, combined with his apparent delusions about family members being imposters, paint a picture of someone in desperate need of professional intervention.
