Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage From Deep Cover: The Confidante
Dec 23, 2025
Two investigative journalists dive into a gripping tale of deception surrounding a decorated Marine, Sarah Cavanaugh. Once a trusted confidante and caregiver, Sarah's true identity comes to light as secrets and lies unravel. Discover her intricate web of falsehoods, including a fake military family and fabricated health battles. Hear from close friends and veterans whose lives were intertwined with hers, leading to a shocking confrontation and deep feelings of betrayal. A story of trust, manipulation, and the quest for truth.
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Silence As A Manipulation Tool
- Sarah maximized silence and listening to let others fill conversational gaps, a tactic that built trust while concealing lies.
- She admitted she was a good listener and used that skill intentionally while lying.
Patient Becomes Partner
- Sarah built a close romantic relationship with her physical therapist, Sam, while posing as a wounded veteran and cancer patient.
- She used shared vulnerability to create intimacy and move from patient to partner over months of travel and caregiving.
Tragedy Fast-Tracks Intimacy
- Sarah deliberately used fabricated tragedies to create rapid intimacy and obligation in others.
- The hosts note that tragedy often accelerates trust and makes people more vulnerable to manipulation.