As a seasoned true crime enthusiast, I must say that the story of Natalia Grace is one that has left me utterly spellbound. The intricacies of her life, the twists and turns, the high stakes, and the emotional rollercoaster are all too familiar to someone like myself who’s spent countless hours immersed in such narratives.
What sets Natalia’s story apart, however, is not just its complexity but also the profound impact it has had on the lives of those involved. The DePauls, with their unwavering dedication and love for Natalia, have shown us the depths of human resilience and sacrifice. Their journey, fraught with challenges, serves as a testament to their indomitable spirit.
On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder if, given her knack for assuming identities, Natalia might one day decide to reinvent herself as the next Erin Brockovich or Sara Kruzan – true crime solvers with a twist! After all, who says you can’t turn lemons into lemonade? Or in this case, a con artist’s life into a career solving real-life mysteries!
Approximately one year ago, the ID network broadcast what were anticipated to be the concluding episodes of the story about Ukrainian-born American adoptee Natalia Grace. However, as Eric and Shannon Evangelista, co-founders and producers of Hot Snakes Media, were completing the edit for the season finale of The Curious Case of Natalia Grace, they received a call from Natalia’s new adoptive family, Bishop Antwon and Cynthia Mans. The person on the phone, who was a preacher, informed them in an exasperated tone, “We have a problem. Something isn’t right with Natalia.
It was Christmas Eve, and that fateful phone call was like an explosive surprise for us,” Shannon explains to The Hollywood Reporter now. “After that, we decided we needed to grab our cameras and chase the story. And that’s exactly what we did.
The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Last Chapter
This two-part episode, airing on Jan. 6 and 7, resumes the story with the fateful phone call that sent the Evangelistas to Tennessee, where they found Natalia living with the Mans family. Previously exploited by her former adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, Natalia’s situation had been the central focus of the first two seasons of The Curious Case. It was alleged that Natalia, who has a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, was deceitfully posing as an adult when she was actually a minor. However, the second season revealed that this was not the case; it was confirmed that Natalia was indeed a child during her years with the Barnetts from 2010 to 2013, and they abandoned her in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana. As of 2023, she is biologically 22 years old.
Living with the Mans family seemed equally difficult and potentially exploitative for Natalia, as suggested in a recent four-part documentary series. Although Natalia neither confirms nor denies these accusations, she manages to leave their household with assistance from Nicole and Vince DePaul, a couple with dwarfism who had initially shown interest in adopting her back in 2009, along with her boyfriend Neil, whose relationship with Natalia was a recurring conflict within the Mans’ home, according to the documentary.
Jason Sarlanis, president of ID, expressed no reservations about carrying on with the story. ‘We had grown so attached to Natalia’s tale, knowing there were still surprises ahead,’ he said to THR. ‘Given that, we felt compelled to see how it concluded. That’s why we gave it the go-ahead.’
Sarlanis and the Evangelistas discuss with THR about assembling The Final Chapter, updates on Natalia’s current state, and what can be expected from the upcoming spinoff series titled The Curious Case of… featuring legal analyst Beth Karas, set to debut on January 13.
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Eric, when you began this last series, you mentioned that you believed Natalia found her happily ever after. Were there any doubts or suspicions about the Mans family or any other aspects of this story that emerged during your work on season two?
ERIC EVANGELISTA Indeed, it seemed concluded, but one must always remain receptive. Unforeseen events can often alter the course of a tale.
SHANNON EVANGELISTA Initially, Natalia’s situation seemed to be wrapping up positively in our eyes. However, we were taken aback when we received the news that there was much more to her story than what met the eye. We had presumed she was on track for a blissful ending, but instead, it took an unexpected turn into ambiguity and complexity.
After receiving that shocking phone call and hearing from both the Mans family and Natalia that everything was now alright, I found myself wondering if it would be appropriate for me to request a private conversation with Natalia.
SHANNON Yes, Eric did.
ERIC Actually, we weren’t permitted to have private conversations with her at that time. The Manses were quite vigilant about supervising our interactions with her.
Did you happen to observe any Facebook conversations between Natalia and Neil that the Manses found unacceptable?
SHANNON It’s true that Natalia made it clear she considered her conversations with Neil as private, yet, we too had our own interactions with him. Moreover, we also managed to observe the correspondence between Neil and Nicole DePaul.
The document mentions that Neil expressed a desire for anonymity. So, one might wonder why he declined to appear in the show?
AS A FAN, I PERSONALLY BELIEVE HE SAW HIS PRIVATE RELATIONSHIP WITH NATALIA AS IRRELEVANT TO THE STORY. IT SEEMED THAT THE PIVOTAL MOMENT WAS THE PHONE CALL TO THE DEPAULS AND FROM THEN ON, THINGS CHANGED SOUDdenly. THIS UPCOMING SEASON WILL BRING US AN UNPRECEDENTED LOOK INTO NATALIA AND THE DEPAULS, GIVING ACCESS THAT WE HAVEN’T HAD BEFORE.
In the start of Part Two, the act of the DePauls aiding Natalia to flee from church serves as a crucial juncture in her narrative. Were you aware this event was unfolding? What thoughts ran through your mind prior to embarking on that daring rescue mission?
SHANNON We literally had no lead time at all.
ERIC Maybe 24 hours, if that.
SHANNON It was explosive.
JASON SARLANIS I hadn’t anticipated in my career encountering footage like that, depicting an ongoing escape, being captured. It’s truly a testament to our filmmakers and their willingness to chase the narrative wherever it might take them.
In the first part, it raises questions about whether the Manses genuinely adopted Natalia or had ulterior motives. Towards the end of the episode, it’s revealed that they didn’t address accusations of abuse against them later in the series. When was the last time communication with them ceased?
JOHN The communication between us never truly ceased; we kept them informed about every accusation that surfaced, providing all necessary details. However, they opted not to address or refute those allegations during the entire production of the documentary. We maintained contact throughout the whole process.
Does the silence from law enforcement on those accusations imply they might be conducting an ongoing investigation?
As a seasoned investigator with years of experience dealing with sensitive cases involving minors, I have learned the importance of respecting privacy and confidentiality. However, when serious allegations surface against someone like the Manses, my duty as a responsible member of law enforcement compels me to take immediate action. I always prioritize the safety and well-being of the children involved, and that is why we promptly informed the authorities about the accusations against them.
As a dedicated fan, I’ve been closely following the case involving the Manses and their alleged mistreatment of a child, my son. One person who bravely spoke out about this was Robert Madewell. On the other hand, Anna Newlin seems to have shifted her narrative in the documentary compared to our initial phone conversation, where she too accused the Manses of abusing Natalia. I can’t help but wonder, what could have possibly led to this change in her story?
As documentarians, our goal is to venture out, create impartial platforms where people feel comfortable expressing their perspectives, and then verify the information. While understanding why someone behaves in a certain way is something experts like Beth Karas specialize in, we focus on providing the space for people to tell their stories.
Beth Karas characterizes Natalia’s living circumstances up to this point as a “repeating cycle of hell.” Why has she ended up under the supervision of dubious figures on multiple occasions? Is it just due to the disadvantages and vulnerabilities that disabled people often encounter in society?
JOHN I totally agree with you. To me, Natalia is more than just a survivor; she’s a testament to strength. Currently, we can confirm that she’s safe and well-cared-for, which brings us immense relief. She’s an incredibly strong, intelligent young woman who has shown remarkable resilience throughout her life. We all hold her in high esteem for her ability to overcome adversity.
Is there any clarity on Natalia’s current financial situation? There seems to be some concern about the possibility of Natalia being blackmailed by the Manses, and also about her potentially large tax bill due to their alleged mishandling of her disability benefits and other earnings. By chance, do you have information regarding the income she’s earned from appearances or the profits they’ve made while caring for her?
SHANNON I’m afraid not. They have various matters concerning GoFundMes and other details we weren’t directly involved in, so we can’t verify those claims as we don’t have the necessary insights into their situation.
Did Natalia accept the mental health services you offered in the document, or did she refuse them instead? If so, what was her reaction towards your offer?
As a person who has worked extensively with individuals facing unique health challenges, I can empathize deeply with Natalia’s situation and the complex emotions she must be grappling with regarding her rare form of dwarfism. Having witnessed the transformative impact that open-mindedness can have on an individual’s life, I am hopeful that she will eventually consider different surgery options for herself. It is important to remember that change is often a gradual process and should not be rushed or forced.
In my experience, those who have found success in overcoming challenges are the ones who have strong advocates like Nicole, someone who shares the same rare condition. Their shared experiences can provide a unique understanding and support system that is crucial in navigating the complexities of such situations.
While it is not for me to dictate Natalia’s decisions, I am confident that she will make the choice that is best for her, given her personal circumstances and values. It is essential to approach any medical intervention with a thoughtful, informed perspective, and I trust that Natalia will take this approach as well.
Ultimately, the health and safety of individuals involved in any production must always be paramount, so it is reassuring to know that the necessary services were offered to her. If she chooses to reconsider these options in the future, I hope that she feels supported and empowered in making the best decision for herself.
In the fourth part, did you try tracking Natalia when she traveled to the United Kingdom to see Neil for the very first time?
ASSISTANT Not at all, that’s just her being herself without any particular cause. We were particularly thrilled for Natalia since she has finally had her age rectified, allowing her to celebrate her 21st birthday as the young woman she always aspired to be. What makes this series captivating is witnessing a character who, for the first time in their life, gets to exercise free will. I believe acknowledging and celebrating Natalia’s autonomy is an integral aspect of this final chapter, and we are incredibly proud of her and eager to see what lies ahead for her future.
Is there any information about how the DePaul family, whose harmony was affected by the persistent conflicts between Natalia and the Manses, is currently faring as a whole?
ALTERNATIVE VERSION I’m unsure of the boundaries regarding what I can discuss. However, I must confess that I have a soft spot for genuine, heartwarming conclusions – authentic ones, not just pretentious ones.
Could it be possible that, despite the current installment being titled “The Last Story,” there might still be an opportunity for this tale to carry on somewhere down the line?
As someone who has spent years in the entertainment industry, I can tell you that the process of developing a spinoff series is always filled with surprises and unexpected twists. In my experience, it’s never like the last time – one can never predict what will happen when you start to brainstorm ideas for a new show.
With Beth Karas on board, we are excited about the prospect of evolving our story in a new direction. However, whether or not Natalia’s story is revisited remains to be seen, as it ultimately depends on her own decision. That being said, there are countless other stories waiting to be told, and I was pleasantly surprised at what emerged when we first began to explore the possibility of a spinoff.
While I must admit that I was disappointed that Natalia’s story isn’t as twisty or turny as some others we’ve encountered, I remain optimistic about the potential for this new series. The journey of creating television is always full of ups and downs, but it’s the thrill of discovery and the pursuit of great stories that keeps me coming back for more.
SHANNON We’re discussing a swindler with numerous aliases, a fanatical cult predicting the end of days tied to religion. Each tale surpasses the last in wildness. Our audience’s enjoyment means a lot to us, so we don’t want this journey to conclude for them. We’re extremely thankful to ID for providing us and Beth Karas with this opportunity to keep spinning these extraordinary, unbelievable-but-true stories. Without Jason, no one would allow us to do this, and these tales are exceptional. They’ll only get better.
SARLANIS It’s an excellent example of our ongoing transformation at ID. Yes, we specialize in true crime content, but fundamentally, we are an investigative documentary network. Each episode functions as a self-contained feature documentary, delving into various intriguing investigations that aren’t necessarily tied to true crime. It’s thrilling to observe our brand evolving alongside yours.
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The intriguing story of Natalia Grace, its conclusion, will be aired on the 6th and 7th of January, from 9 to 11 PM Eastern/Pacific Time. You can watch it on Max.
OR
The last part of the captivating tale of Natalia Grace, titled “The Final Chapter,” is set to air on the 6th and 7th of January, between 9 and 11 PM in both Eastern and Pacific Time zones. The streaming platform for this event will be Max.
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2025-01-03 18:56