It’s the story so many devoured via a riveting podcast, however a brand new viewers is simply studying about now.
They usually have questions.
“Scamanda”, a four-part docuseries based mostly on the #1 hit podcast of the identical title, launched the world to Amanda Riley this week. She is a spouse, mom, and blogger who’s sitting behind bars proper now after stealing $100k from associates, household, and even strangers.
The docuseries will take a deeper look into the heinous lies Amanda advised for cash and a spotlight, and dive a bit deeper into the current day situation of her household.
As a result of although the podcast answered a number of followers’ questions, many are nonetheless making an attempt to piece collectively how a lot her husband knew – and if he was in on the scheme together with her.
The “Scamanda” Podcast Story
To recap: the podcast and now docuseries explores the story of Amanda Riley, a former instructor and principal from Northern California. In 2012, Amanda revealed to her family members that she had been recognized with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She then began a weblog to “document” her journey combating the illness. This went on for practically 7 years, throughout which era lots of her associates, household, and on-line followers pitched in a complete of greater than $105,000 to cowl medical bills.
The issue? Amanda by no means had most cancers. In response to the US Legal professional’s workplace, she “used her presence on these sites to ‘document’ her nonexistent medical condition and to aggressively solicit donations, supposedly to cover her medical expenses.”
She even went as far as to shave her head and falsified medical information. The podcast’s finale debuted in the summertime of 2023, a yr after Amanda was sentenced in Could to 5 years in federal jail for wire fraud within the scheme, which she pleaded responsible to.
So now, what about her husband?
What Cory Riley Knew
Podcast followers have flooded Reddit with theories about how a lot Cory Riley, Amanda’s husband, did or didn’t know.
From the podcast, we all know that shut relations, together with Corey, helped her arrange web sites to accumulate donations and contributed posts to her weblog. Nevertheless, no fees have been ever introduced up in opposition to anybody else within the household.
We additionally know via the podcast that whereas Amanda was faking most cancers, Cory Riley was battling his ex-wife Aletta Riley in court docket for custody of their daughter, Jessa.
He even cited his spouse’s “diagnosis” and medical bills to try to win custody of Jessa and get his youngster help funds lowered.
How a lot he knew stays a thriller nonetheless – except you’re listening fastidiously, teases producer and podcast host Charlie Webster. She was requested, level clean, if he thought Corey knew what was occurring.
“So the way I would answer this is,” she stated to Glamour. “Should you hear fastidiously to the podcast—and there’s 4 bonus episodes on their method after the ultimate episode—if you happen to hear very fastidiously to the nuances of what was stated, it offers you the reply. Persons are sensible. I used to be actually cautious to ensure that I caught to the info but additionally confirmed you the info so you’ll be able to resolve.
A promotional picture for the ABC true crime sequence ‘Scamanda.’ (ABC Information Studio)
The place is Corey Now?
With Amanda nonetheless in jail, and Corey not charged in connection together with her crimes, he’s a free man.
In response to Charlie, Corey “is looking after his two kids in Texas, where Amanda is serving her sentence.”
Ah sure, let’s not overlook the youngsters. The couple have two younger boys, each of which have been beneath their impression that their mom was dying all all through this ordeal.
Once you scan Reddit for followers discussing the podcast, that is the subject they get essentially the most vocal about.
“I truly believe that there is no way that her husband and mother did not know (at the least, likely her brothers as well),” posted one commenter. “Sadly, the ones who were least likely to know it was a lie were her two boys, who were too young to psychologically understand what someone who really has cancer would look and act like, and the extent to which a cancer patient’s life would be dominated by appointments, medical equipment, etc.”
Time will inform if the docuseries will dive extra into the lives of Corey and the boys. As he doesn’t have any social media accounts, it’s very laborious to pinpoint greater than what’s already been mentioned.
However we’ll hold updating as we all know extra.