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September 1, 2025 12 mins

In Part 1, we uncovered the chilling beginnings of Michelle Hadley’s nightmare: a barrage of threatening emails and a shocking arrest that turned her from victim to accused stalker. Now, in Part 2, the story takes a darker turn.

Host Kerrie Droban unpacks the lies, manipulation, and coercive control at the heart of the case. As investigators dig deeper, the “perfect victim” narrative begins to crumble, exposing a twisted conspiracy that nearly destroyed Michelle’s life.

👉 Don’t miss Part 2 of this four-part series, where the truth begins to emerge—and the real stalker’s identity comes into focus.

🔎 Episode Highlights

Opening Recap — Michelle Hadley’s nightmare begins: threats, suspicion, and wrongful blame.
Escalation of Emails — Violent fantasies and chilling threats surface, intensifying fear and suspicion.
Investigators’ Blind Spot — Why law enforcement turned against Michelle instead of protecting her.
The Villain Emerges — Early signs pointing to the real stalker and the mechanics of the frame job.
Psychological Analysis — How coercive control, obsession, and image manipulation drove the conspiracy.
Public Perception vs. Reality — How media narratives reinforced Michelle’s vilification.
Closing Reflection — The danger of false accusations and how easily a life can be destroyed by lies.

✨ Key Takeaways

  • Cyberstalking as a Weapon: Technology becomes the perfect cover for manipulation and coercive control.

  • The Power of Perception: Law enforcement and the media were quick to believe the wrong story.

  • Obsession Turns Deadly: At the heart of the case was a dangerous obsession masked as love.

  • Victim Becomes Villain: Michelle’s ordeal highlights how easily survivors can be re-cast as perpetrators.

  • Warning Signs Ignored: Red flags of deceit and coercion were overlooked until it was almost too late.

🎧 Why Listen

This episode shows how a nightmare built on lies nearly cost an innocent woman her freedom. It’s a chilling reminder of how cyberstalking cases can be misunderstood—and how survivors must fight not just their abusers, but the narratives that surround them.

CREDITS:

Music/Scoringhttps://www.4qproductions.com

Sound Design/Audio Production: Sergei K. Droban Productions

Creative Direction: Sergei K. Droban Productions

Narration--Kerrie Droban

RESOURCES

Hadley v City of Anaheim

United States of United States of American v. Ian R Diaz – Government’s trial


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