Manti When Theo fell victim to a catfish hoax
Soccer player Manti Theo Found out that his dead girlfriend online in 2012 was not only alive, but also not who she claimed to be. In a composed Netflix documentary, the award-winning player and Heisman Trophy finalist offers his side of the story.
"In order to get any relief from this issue, we had to make it clear," Theo, now a free agent, told CBS Morning on Tuesday. At this time, I challenged myself to have open and difficult conversations if anyone asked or questioned me about it, and began to feel the power that comes from talking about it. } During his senior year at Notre Dame in 2012, Theo reported that both his girlfriend, Renai Kekua, and his grandmother died within hours, Kekua, a 22-year-old Stanford University student, was diagnosed with leukemia.
Prior to Kekua's so-called death, Theo reportedly told her directly
"There have been attempts to meet," he said, adding that in some cases he even bought plane tickets. "There was an excuse, 'Oh, my family is sick. Someone was in the hospital.' In 2013 a reporter for the sports outlet Deadspin reported Kekua's death or car crash at the date reported. They claimed that the real person behind the photo was a Seattle native named Ronya Tuiasosopo. He said he was as surprised as the public when he found out. When someone later pointed him to a shocking revelation, he did not reveal it.
"He didn't know what to believe," said Theo. . "I don't expect someone to say 'Hey, someone's dead' and three months later say 'Someone's alive'. What do you do with that information?" said the football star. "Are you going to call someone and say, 'Hey, I found someone alive?'"
In response, I received a backlash online. One of his most college football players in a year, he says there was "a lot of self-discovery" during this time.
He thanked his family for their support and emphasized the fact that he really lost someone many years ago. I want to bring more light to , because this story casts a shadow over her, and if there's one thing I want to do, it's to pay homage to my grandmother, which she misses. I lost my grandma, so the last 10 years have been a huge help.”
Now Theo is married with one daughter in 2022 and soon to have a son. increase.
He encouraged everyone. He has DEA mental health issues and seeks help. "That's not to be taken lightly," he said.
Tori B. Powell is a breaking news reporter for CBS News. [email protected]
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