Chasing Ghosts

The New Zealand Herald
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  • TRUE CRIME
  • WEEKLY SERIES
Chasing Ghosts

Chasing Ghosts is a NZ Herald true crime series, looking at some of the most notable cases from our past. In the new season, The Puppeteer, David Fisher re-investigates the case of a serial catfisher he exposed in 2011, after discovering there is more to the story. In the original Chasing Ghosts, Anna Leask looks into the disappearance of Amber-Lee Cruickshank, one of New Zealand's most baffling missing person investigations. Murder in the Sounds explores the ongoing debate about the disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope, and the arrest of Scott Watson. Below the Surface unpacks the multiple investigations in the death of Goy Thongsi. Murder at the Racecourse Hotel takes us back in time to look at one of New Zealand's oldest cold cases, that has gone unsolved for nearly a century.

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  1. Episode 1: The Death of Laura West

    EPISODE 1

    Episode 1: The Death of Laura West

    In December 2010, the announcement on Facebook that Laura Jane West has died in a car crash devastates her online friends, and has ramifications in real life for those linked to her and her sisters.  Four months later, Herald on Sunday journalist David Fisher investigates a serial catfisher targeting teen boys in Christchurch. In his reporting, David would link these two stories together as he uncovered the extent to which the catfisher had created the world around her characters - a world that, 13 years later, he is still trying to make sense of.  Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min
  2. Episode 2: Sorry's Just A Word

    EPISODE 2

    Episode 2: Sorry's Just A Word

    In 2022, David Fisher receives an email from Crystal Jenner, a New Zealand woman living in Australia. She has approached him as her last hope after six years of trying to find a solution to Natalia stealing her photos. David hears from her, her mother, and a friend who also had had her pictures stolen, one of the men who fell victim to Crystal's face, and a lawyer analyses why Crystal has struggled to get the law to help her.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr
  3. Episode 3: Mothers and Daughters

    EPISODE 3

    Episode 3: Mothers and Daughters

    While Natalia is best known for catfishing teen boys and young men into relationships, she has also used the photos she has stolen to trick at least two different teenage girls - and their mothers - into believing she is a long-lost member of their family. Today, David finds out their stories and how Natalia came to infiltrate their lives.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  4. Episode 4: Understanding Natalia

    EPISODE 4

    Episode 4: Understanding Natalia

    Warning: This episode contains discussion around suicide. In 2011, after outing her for her catfishing, David Fisher sat down with Natalia Burgess for an interview about why she had done what she had. 13 years later, David revisits that interview as he looks for answers as to why she has done what she has, and gets insight from a psychologist on the potential motivations behind her behaviour.  Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    57 min
  5. Episode 5: Unmasking The Puppeteer

    EPISODE 5

    Episode 5: Unmasking The Puppeteer

    For the first time in 13 years, David Fisher sits down with Natalia Burgess to talk about her catfishing. While he gains new insight into her life, how she operates her false characters, and her reasons for doing it, something's missing. And then an email out of the blue offers the answers he's been waiting for.  And one victim of Natalia's catfishing reveals the devastating consequences of having these memories resurface.    Suicide and depression help services: If it is an emergency and you or someone else is at risk, call 111. For counselling and support: Lifeline: http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) Suicide Crisis Helpline: www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) Youth services: Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234 What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm) Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7) Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737 Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053 For more information and support, talk to your local doctor, hauora, community mental health team, or counselling service. The Mental Health Foundation has more helplines and service contacts - click here for information Sexual assault support services:If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone, contact Safe to Talk confidentially, any time 24/7: Call 0800 044 334Text 4334Email support@safetotalk.nzFor more information visit safetotalk.nz If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 16m
  6. Coming Soon: Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer

    SEASON 5 TRAILER

    Coming Soon: Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer

    Season of Chasing Ghosts - The Puppeteer - begins October 1st.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 min
See All Season 5 (6)

Trailers

About

Chasing Ghosts is a NZ Herald true crime series, looking at some of the most notable cases from our past. In the new season, The Puppeteer, David Fisher re-investigates the case of a serial catfisher he exposed in 2011, after discovering there is more to the story. In the original Chasing Ghosts, Anna Leask looks into the disappearance of Amber-Lee Cruickshank, one of New Zealand's most baffling missing person investigations. Murder in the Sounds explores the ongoing debate about the disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope, and the arrest of Scott Watson. Below the Surface unpacks the multiple investigations in the death of Goy Thongsi. Murder at the Racecourse Hotel takes us back in time to look at one of New Zealand's oldest cold cases, that has gone unsolved for nearly a century.

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