Romantic link between Renae Marsden and alleged catfish creator: Inquest

A mother screamed “I trusted you, I invited you into our home” at the woman allegedly behind the fake “catfish” love affair that tormented her 20-year-old daughter Renae Marsden before her suicide on the first day of the inquest into her death.

• Cruel catfishing stunt key to suicide inquest

A mother screamed “I trusted you, I invited you into our home” at the woman allegedly behind the fake “catfish” love affair that tormented her daughter before her suicide.

The first day of the inquest into the death of 20-year-old Renae Marsden on Monday heard stunning claims her best friend Camila Zeidan invented a fictional online persona called “Brayden” to pose as Ms Marsden’s boyfriend. This was after Ms Marsden and Ms Zeidan’s own romantic relationship soured.

Renae’s mother Teresa yells at Camila Zeidan as she leaves court with supporters on Monday. Picture: Toby Zerna

Camila Zeidan leaving court on Monday. Picture: Toby Zerna

A supporter (left) of Camila Zeidan’s (right) falls over while trying to shield her from the media. Picture: Toby Zerna

Police found there was no proof Brayden ever existed and Ms Marsden likely took her own life at The Gap at Watsons Bay on August 5, 2013.

Ms Zeidan tried to hide her face on Monday as about a dozen Marsden family supporters hurled abuse at her between the front doors of Lidcombe coroner’s court and a waiting car.

“I trusted you, I invited you into our home,” Ms Marsden’s mother Teresa screamed.

Another relative yelled: “tell the truth, we’ve waited seven years for answers”.

Renae Marsden with Camila Zeidan (right). Picture: Supplied

Camila Zeidan (left) leaves court with supporters on Monday. Picture: Toby Zerna

The court was told about Ms Zeidan’s obsession and infatuation with Ms Marsden, her close high school friend.

Council Assisting the Coroner Sasha Harding alleged that Ms Marsden and Ms Zeidan were in a tumultuous romantic relationship, and said Ms Marsden had confided in her school counsellor that she felt she might have to leave home to be with a girl.

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Renae Marsden committed suicide in 2013.

Parents Mark and Teresa Marsden outside court. Picture: Toby Zerna

But Ms Zeidan’s obsession and abuse became worse over time, the court heard. She sent threatening email messages to Ms Marsden before their break-up.

“If you kill me, I’ll be your ghost … if you hate me, I’ll still love you,” the email read.

Ms Zeidan later introduced Ms Marsden to Brayden — a persona police allege she concocted.

Camila Zeidan tries to shield her face as she leaves court on Monday. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ms Marsden and Brayden traded over 11,000 text messages over the course of their relationship.

They never met in person, because Brayden told her he was serving time in Goulburn Prison for involvement in a motorcycle accident.

Renae’s family: Sister Monique, parents Teresa and Mark and brothers Jake and Luke. Picture: Toby Zerna

Distraught grandparents Giuseppe and Anna Costa outside court. Picture: Toby Zerna

Ms Marsden had already begun planning her wedding in 2013, in anticipation of Brayden’s release from prison.

On the day of Ms Marsden’s apparent suicide Brayden sent a text breaking off their relationship, saying, “I think I need a break and so do you”.

Ms Marsden’s father Mark said he wanted to ensure online manipulation such as catfishing could be criminally prosecuted.

“I won’t stop until this gets changed,” he said.

Ms Marsden’s grandmother Anna Costa said she still waits for her to come home.

“Every Saturday she used to come and have dinner with me,” Mrs Costa said.

“I love you Renae, forever … we want answers.”

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Originally published as Romantic link between Renae Marsden and alleged catfish creator: Inquest