Her Best Friend Catfished Her to 𝗗𝗘ath: The Tragic Story of Renae Marsden

The Beginning: A Dream Romance Turned Nightmare

Renae Marsden was a bright, beautiful 20-year-old from Sydney, Australia, with a loving family and a promising future. But on August 5, 2013, Renae drove to “The Gap”—Sydney’s infamous suici𝗗𝗘 spot—and ended her life. What seemed like a tragic case of heartbreak soon revealed itself as one of the most shocking and cruel deceptions in modern Australian history.

For nearly two years, Renae had been caught in a web of lies, manipulation, and psychological torment—engineered not by a stranger, but by her best friend, Camilla Zaydan.

Braden Spiteri: The Perfect Boyfriend Who Never Existed

After Renae broke up with her first love, Angus, her best friend Camilla introduced her to Braden Spiteri—a handsome 24-year-old, supposedly serving time for manslaughter in prison. Renae never met Braden in person. Their relationship existed entirely online, through texts and Facebook messages. Camilla orchestrated every detail, telling Renae that Braden was barred from visitors and could only communicate through secret channels.

Braden seemed to know exactly what Renae wanted: love, marriage, children, a happy family. But the relationship was also marked by jealousy, possessiveness, and emotional abuse. Braden would send controlling, spiteful messages—even berating Renae’s mother for interacting with her ex-boyfriend online.

The Day Everything Changed: 91 Messages and a Heartbreaking Farewell

On the day of her 𝗗𝗘ath, Braden sent Renae a cold, brutal breakup message. Devastated, Renae exchanged 91 messages with Braden, then sent final texts to her mother and Camilla—her closest friend. She drove to The Gap, left her shoes and old phone behind, and wrote “I love you Braden” on her car window.

Her family was shattered. But the worst was yet to come.

The Shocking Truth: The Puppet Master Was Her Best Friend

Camilla, who appeared distraught and eager to help the family, was in fact the architect of Renae’s torment. With the help of Renae’s 13-year-old brother, the family hacked into Renae’s old phone and discovered a disturbing pattern: the texts between Renae and Braden, and those between Renae and Camilla, overlapped in suspicious ways. When Braden messaged, Camilla was silent—and vice versa.

Police confirmed the unimaginable: Braden Spiteri never existed. Camilla had created him using a separate phone and a stolen profile photo. She controlled Renae’s emotions, relationships, and even her hopes for the future—all for her own twisted satisfaction.

Victim of Toxic Friendship and a Legal System That Failed

The Marsden family realized Renae hadn’t died from heartbreak, but from years of psychological manipulation and isolation at the hands of her best friend. Camilla had dominated Renae’s life, poisoned her against friends and family, and even displayed violent and sexually aggressive behavior.

Yet when the truth came out, Australian law offered no justice. Camilla was never charged—there was no financial motive, and not enough evidence to prove she directly incited suici𝗗𝗘. The Marsdens were left devastated, watching the woman who drove their daughter to her 𝗗𝗘ath live freely, marry, and have children as if nothing had happened.

Unending Pain and the Fight for Justice

Renae’s mother, Teresa, said, “I can’t believe someone who sat at my table, who was part of our family, could do something so evil and just walk away.”

The Marsden family began campaigning for legal change, demanding that “catfishing”—online deception for emotional control—be criminalized, especially when it leads to severe psychological harm, regardless of financial motive.

Renae’s case sparked national debate about “coercive control” laws, but loopholes remain. Many victims like Renae still lack protection.

A Warning for the Digital Age

Renae Marsden’s story is a chilling reminder of the dark side of social media and online relationships. Sometimes, the most dangerous people aren’t strangers—they’re the ones closest to us, armed with nothing but a phone and a twisted obsession.

The Marsdens continue their fight to ensure Renae’s 𝗗𝗘ath was not in vain, urging lawmakers and society to protect others from the cruelty of catfishing.

What do you think? Should the law prosecute catfishers who cause severe emotional harm—even if there’s no financial motive? Share your thoughts and help spread Renae’s story so no one else has to suffer the same fate.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please seek professional help or reach out to local support organizations.

This article is based on interviews with the Marsden family, police reports, and Australian media coverage.