A disturbing narrative on Cosgrove's Wikipedia page concerns a December 2016 home invasion. For years, the incident was described in clinical terms on crime aggregate sites. In May 2024, Cosgrove spoke openly with outlets like E! News about the psychological toll of the ordeal, drawing parallels to the chilling dynamics explored in the Netflix drama Baby Reindeer.
A 45-year-old stalker stalked her Hollywood Hills residence, set fire to his own vehicle, shot at a passing car whose driver resembled Cosgrove, and subsequently died by suicide on her front lawn. Cosgrove was not home at the exact moment gunfire occurred, but she returned shortly afterward to find her street cordoned off by tactical teams. The trauma prompted an immediate, comprehensive overhaul of her living situation.
She moved away from the property, took extended leaves from solo public appearances, and upgraded her personal security systems. The terrifying experience reinforced her commitment to digital privacy. Cosgrove deliberately avoids geotagging her daily routine on Instagram or sharing real-time personal updates, maintaining a clear separation between her public promotional persona and her physical home.