CANADALAND Introducing: The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall
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Dec 26, 2025 Marilyn Harris, former spouse of psychiatrist Lawrence Pazder, shares the wrenching impact of Pazder's work on the infamous book Michelle Remembers. Cheryl Proby Ostman, sister of Michelle Smith, offers a personal glimpse into their family dynamics and the fear stemming from their father's alcoholism. Together, they reveal how the book's disturbing claims and the ensuing Satanic Panic shattered lives, highlighting the troubling intersections of trauma, belief, and familial betrayal.
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Obsessive Therapist Relationship
- Marilyn Harris describes how Larry became obsessed with Michelle after seeing Sybil on TV and phoning her repeatedly.
- That obsession led him to prioritize Michelle's therapy and story over his family life.
Book Fueled By Sensational Therapy
- Michelle Remembers documents gruesome scenes of ritual abuse that Michelle recounted in therapy and later in the book.
- The book propelled their story into wide publicity through interviews and media coverage.
Family Chaos And Trauma
- Cheryl Proby Ostman describes a chaotic childhood with frequent moves, a violent father, and her mother's eventual illness.
- Those family stresses match some details in Michelle Remembers but do not confirm the book's extreme claims.