The spotlight falls on Elizabeth Fraser as the investigation continues, but who was she and why would she want to kill her own husband? And who was the mistress that came between this marriage?

Host: Ric Stevens
Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes
Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning

Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air. 

If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz

The spotlight falls on Elizabeth Fraser as the investigation continues, but who was she and why would she want to kill her own husband? And who was the mistress that came between this marriage?
Host: Ric Stevens Audio Editor: Alastair Boyes Producers: Ethan Sills and Elizabeth Binning
Open Justice is funded through the Public Interest Journalism Fund through NZ on Air.  If you know more about this case, you can get in touch at ric.stevens@nzme.co.nz

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.

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.

The disappearance of Amber-Lee Cruickshank 25 years ago is one of New Zealand's most baffling missing person investigations. This six-part New Zealand Herald series provides an indepth look at the cold case and Amber-Lee's mother's ceaseless quest to...

Chasing Ghosts

The disappearance of Amber-Lee Cruickshank 25 years ago is one of New Zealand's most baffling missing person investigations. This six-part New Zealand Herald series provides an indepth look at the cold case and Amber-Lee's mother's ceaseless quest to bring her daughter home.

Episode Three: The Widow and the Mistress

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 044 334
Text 4334
Email support@safetotalk.nz
For more information visit safetotalk.nz

If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

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:
<ul>
<li>Lifeline: <a href="http://www.lifeline.co.nz">http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call </a>0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)</li>
<li>Suicide Crisis Helpline: <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline">www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline</a>, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)</li>
</ul>
Youth services:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.youthline.co.nz/">Youthline</a>: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234</li>
<li><a href="http://whatsup.co.nz/">What's Up</a>: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)</li>
<li><a href="http://depression.org.nz/">Depression helpline</a>: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)</li>
<li>Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737</li>
<li><a href="https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/">Aoake te Rā</a> (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053</li>
</ul>
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 -<a href="&lt;a%20href='https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/resource/helplines-and-local-mental-health-services'%20target='_blank'&gt;on%20its%20website&lt;/a&gt;."> click here for information</a>
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 044 334 Text 4334 Email support@safetotalk.nz For more information visit safetotalk.nz
If you have been sexually assaulted, remember it's not your fault.

Episode 5: Unmasking The Puppeteer 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fb81589c-e106-4161-bb75-b21000c9be2d/transcript

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

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:
<ul>
<li>Lifeline: <a href="http://www.lifeline.co.nz">http://www.lifeline.co.nz, call </a>0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP)</li>
<li>Suicide Crisis Helpline: <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline">www.lifeline.org.nz/services/suicide-crisis-helpline</a>, or call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)</li>
</ul>
Youth services:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.youthline.co.nz/">Youthline</a>: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234</li>
<li><a href="http://whatsup.co.nz/">What's Up</a>: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)</li>
<li><a href="http://depression.org.nz/">Depression helpline</a>: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)</li>
<li>Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737</li>
<li><a href="https://www.aoaketera.org.nz/">Aoake te Rā</a> (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053</li>
</ul>
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 -<a href="&lt;a%20href='https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/resource/helplines-and-local-mental-health-services'%20target='_blank'&gt;on%20its%20website&lt;/a&gt;."> click here for information</a>

Episode 4: Understanding Natalia 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c21ee0a2-350e-47ee-a204-b20900b06977/transcript

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. 

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.

Episode 3: Mothers and Daughters

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/745ce73f-da45-422c-9d36-b20200999a04/transcript

Episode Three: The Widow and the Mistress

In 1 playlist(s)

Chasing Ghosts

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips