‘Love you muma’: Tragic texts catfish victim sent before death
Renae Marsden told her mother to be strong and “don’t let this ruin everyone” before she took her own life during the breakdown of a fake “catfish” love affair allegedly orchestrated by her ex. Warning: Distressing content.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Catfish inquest: Prosecutor ‘loses count’ of alleged scammer’s lies
- Horror assault captured on CCTV in Sydney’s west
Renae Marsden told her mother “don’t let this ruin everyone” before she took her own life during the breakdown of the fake “catfish” love affair allegedly orchestrated by her ex.
An inquest into Ms Marsden’s 2013 death heard she had fallen for the fake online persona “Brayden Spiteri” and planned to marry him when he was released from jail.
But pretending to be Brayden in thousands of messages was Ms Marsden’s high-school girlfriend Camila Zeidan.
Ms Zeidan claimed at the inquest Ms Marsden knew Brayden was fake, which was strongly disputed by counsel assisting the coroner Sasha Harding.
Ms Marsden ended her own life on August 5 that year, the same day Ms Zeidan messaged her, as Brayden, breaking up off the relationship.
“I love you so much I’m sorry for everything and the pain I will now cause you but I’ll be OK I’ll still be here and be around when you need to talk to me just call my name and I’ll be there,” she texted to her mother Teresa Marsden.
“Your the most amazing person and mother ever and my very best friend. I wasn’t happy and I need you to understand that its OK don’t let this ruin everyone else you need to take care of OK I need you to be strong for me.
“I love you muma I always will. And I’ll be waiting when you come.”
Mrs Marsden responded “please answer your phone”.
The inquest also surfaced text messages between Mrs Marsden and “Brayden” on the day of Ms Marsden’s suicide:
Brayden: “Sort your daughter out threatening to kill herself”.
Mrs Marsden: “Please explain to me why a young woman would want to kill herself????”
Brayden: “Ask yourself”. “Maybe explain to me why you never got her help last time.”
Mrs Marsden: Have you ever thought that you are the problem. Seems like it all comes back down to your feet”.
Brayden: “I’m the problem am I? Have u ever thought u have neglected her when she clearly needs help”.
Mrs Marsden: “If there really is a GOD out there he will answer my prayers, time will tell.
Brayden: “He only answers people who are genuine”.
Two days after her daughter’s death Mrs Marsden messaged the same number.
“Where r u? I want to speak to u. I want answers now.
“Answer me please. You can’t do this.”
When police found Ms Marsden’s car parked in Sydney, they retrieving from in it a collage of photos of “Brayden”.
Magistrate Elaine Truscott said, at the end of a week of public hearings, she believed Renae never found out that Brayden was secretly Camila all along.
“That an inquest hearing can be a vehicle for such torment, I apologise,” Magistrate Truscott said.
“It is not difficult to conclude that Camilla came to court with no intention of telling the truth.
“That a 27 year-old woman who under the protection of (immunity) cannot and will not right those wrongs is incomprehensible.”
Ms Zeidan did not admit to catfishing Renae at any point during the inquest, and said that Renae created Brayden with her to conceal a lesbian affair.
Magistrate Truscott rejected Ms Zeidan’s version of events, instead saying it was the “brutal” break up text sent from Brayden on the day of Renae’s death that led to her taking her own life.
“I think I need a break and so do you,” the text said.
For the first time since the inquest began, the full text of a letter written to Brayden by Renae has been released. The heartbreaking letter, handwritten by Renae, paints a picture of the level of devotion she had for Brayden.
“I can’t wait to be your wife and give you all the happiness you deserve,” the letter said.
“I love you and keep your head up … you have a family waiting for you.”
Renae’s parents and family wept in the court as Ms Truscott said their daughter died of “heartbreak”.
Through sobs Renae’s mother, Teresa, chose to address Camila in her statement to the court. Ms Zeidan was not present.
“You could have apologised for what you have done, but instead you took the path of deceit and lies,” Mrs Marsden said.
“I don’t know how you sleep at night knowing you were given an opportunity to tell the truth … one day you will be a mum and I would not wish this pain on you,” she said.
Supported by her Renae’s father Mark, Mrs Marsden apologised to her daughter.
“I should have protected you Renae … I’m sorry for failing you,” Mrs Marsden said.
In her closing statement, council assisting the coroner Sasha Harding said the family was deprived of answers by Camila, and asked Ms Tuscott to consider recommending a change to the law to allow catfishing to be an offence.
“Ultimately it was the false reality created by Camila that led to Renae falling from the gap … and causing her death,” Ms Harding said.
“This case is a truly tragic set of circumstances. That the intentional and ongoing deceitful actions of Camila … was not enough for the police to take action and arrest and charge Camila with any criminal offence has been truly confounding and inexplicable to the family,” she said.
“That there is no apparent criminal sanction available … is truly the deepest insult to the family and no doubt the community.”
If you or someone you knows is in crisis or needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14