Pi Contacted Family About Someone Accusing Me Of Defamation. What Do I Do?

Location: California, though I don’t live in this State.

Hello,

This is regarding someone accusing me of defamation after I made some personal online posts earlier this year about my own negative experiences with someone regarding SA with the intention of warning people about them. He’s apparently hurt other people as well because some women have messaged me that he hurt them and violated their boundaries too.

(I won’t go into explicit details about what happened here. Other than that I made myself clear by verbally telling him that I did not want to proceed and he coerced/forced me too anyway.)

Did I do anything else besides make these posts?

• Yes, I filled a police report years after the incident happened.
• Police unfortunately declined to press charges.
• There unfortunately is no “kit” of physical or DNA evidence because I was not aware that what he did was rape.

Recently, a private investigator called my family claiming that they’ve “been trying to reach me” and that the other party wants to sue me for defamation unless I remove the posts.

At this point, I have never received:

• a cease and desist
• any letter, email, or message
• any notice from a lawyer
• any court papers
• any attempt at service

The PI only told my family that I should take the posts down and that this person was going to pursue legal action if I didn’t. They have not contacted me directly.

My questions:

1. Can they really sue me for defamation? Do I need to worry about being sued?
2. If an actual lawsuit existed, would I have been formally notified by now?
3. What are my rights when someone threatens a defamation suit? 4.Should I ignore the PI and wait to see if a real attorney contacts me?
4. Is there a statute of limitations in California for when this person can sue me? Can they still sue me after the SoL is past? These posts were made in February 2025.

Just trying to understand what my options are and if this kind of PI contact is normal, or if it sounds like intimidation rather than a real legal process. Also, I’m not at all asking for anyone here to judge the truth of what I posted, please.

Thanks.