Christopher Stokowsi’s ex-fiance, April Sandmeyer, shared her story with the Daily Mail in 2014, giving her account of why her former love stayed away from his family for so long. The socialite explained that Stokowski chose to live with his mother and half-brothers in New York City while trying to make it as a musician after graduating college. She remembered how little Cooper “adored” his older half-brother.
Sandmeyer and Stokowski dated and decided to get engaged in 1974, coinciding with a difficult period as Stokowski’s father, Leopold Stokowski, fell ill, ultimately leading to his passing in 1977. In a tragic turn of events, Vanderbilt’s fourth husband, Wyatt Emory Cooper, died just months after. Reportedly, it was in this vulnerable state that Vanderbilt’s therapist, Dr. Zois, was able to swoop in and influence her and her children’s lives. According to the publication, Vanderbilt spent her own money to buy flights and lavish gifts for Dr. Zois and his associates and was often in her home.
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Sandmeyer alleged that Dr. Zois was “meddling” in her and Christopher’s relationship, causing her to break off the engagement in 1978. Christopher then moved out of the Vanderbilt household in an effort to re-win Sandmeyer’s heart, but his effort was futile. After she rejected him, a “former associate” told the publication that the heartbroken musician moved out of the city and lost contact with his family. “He just wanted to get away. It was all too much for him,” the friend noted.
