Netflix’s true crime documentary Can I Tell You A Secret? tells the tale of cyberstalker Matthew Hardy, who harassed over 100 women online. Here’s everything you need to know about this true crime story.
Across its two parts, the true crime docuseries tells the individual experiences of these women, shedding light on the personal impact of relentless cyberbullying crimes.
Additionally, the crime documentary collaborates with Sirin Kale, the investigative journalist from The Guardian, who spearheaded the original investigation and also hosted the Can I Tell You A Secret? podcast.
The most prolific cyber stalker in history terrorized upwards of a hundred women over the course of a decade through their social media accounts. Three women with remarkably similar experiences whose lives were changed forever tell their story.
Can I Tell You A Secret is now… pic.twitter.com/ZAnKcgeJWc
— Netflix (@netflix) February 21, 2024
While Netflix’s Can I Tell You a Secret? sheds light on some of Hardy’s victims, it only scratches the surface of the fear and anguish caused by his cyberstalking. So, for those who are wondering what exactly happened in the Netflix documentary, here is the complete true story of Hardy and his harassment against women.
Here’s what went down in the Netflix series ‘Can I Tell You A Secret?’
In the Netflix true-crime series Can I Tell You a Secret?, the focus is on the harrowing experiences of three women —Zoe Jade Hallam, Abby Furness and Lia Marie Hambly — as they recount the terror inflicted by a shared online tormentor. Their stories unfolded similarly, commencing with harmless messages from a follower that escalated into a blast of messages from various individuals across different social media platforms. The distressing messages not only targeted the three women but extended to involve their colleagues and loved ones, creating false narratives and revealing private details and images.
Faced with the complexities of identifying and prosecuting online abusers, the victims found themselves with limited options. However, after enduring months of relentless torment, each woman discovered an ally in police constable Kevin Anderson.
Together, they embarked on a mission to apprehend the prolific cyberstalker.
What exactly happened to Zoe Jade Hallam, Abby Furness and Lia Marie Hambly?
According to The Guardian, Hardy’s approach to initiating online conversations with all his stalking victims involved starting with the question, ‘Can I share a secret with you?’. Zoe Jade Hallam, Abby Furness and Lia Marie Hambly were some of the many victims who faced this question before their lives took a turn for the worse.
Hallam, a model and a mechanic, was targeted by Hardy’s relentless stalking. He went to great lengths, creating false identities online, including posing as Hallam’s boyfriend’s father, a doctor. Under this guise, he engaged in explicit conversations with teenage girls using fake social media accounts. This disturbing manipulation added another layer to the complexity of the cyberstalking, amplifying the psychological toll on Hallam and those connected to her.
‘He’d send messages saying, I’m only just getting started.’
Matthew Hardy is Britain’s most prolific cyber stalker, for more than a decade, Hardy terrorised women online by creating fake social media accounts.
Now he is the focus of a Netflix Documentary called ‘Can I Tell You… pic.twitter.com/Wf6UNfS1Ds
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 29, 2024
Furness, a dancer and influencer, faced a barrage of malicious actions orchestrated by Hardy. False rumours about her sex life were spread, and Hardy also went on to impersonate her online. Under this impersonation, he attempted to initiate a sexually coloured conversation with Furness’s colleague, adding a massive layer of distress to the situation.
To further escalate the harm, Hardy sent intimate photos of Furness to her boss and fabricated stories about her infidelity to her then-boyfriend, resulting in the end of their relationship. As a consequence of the relentless stalking, she had to battle anxiety and depression. The toll extended beyond social media, causing her to lose friendships and relationships.
Meanwhile, Hambly’s ordeal came in the form of persistent phone calls. Adding to the distress, Hambly revealed that he contacted people in her inner circle by reaching out to a family friend, their boyfriend or their husband. The invasive nature of his actions showcased the extent to which Hardy sought to disrupt and invade every aspect of her life.
Ultimately, it was Hambley’s dissatisfaction with how the Kent police handled the case that played a crucial role in bringing it to the attention of police constable Anderson, who took charge and ensured its successful prosecution. To be on the safer side, Hambly had curated a 700-page dossier, documenting every communication made by the stalker. This extensive compilation significantly assisted Anderson in constructing a robust case against Hardy, providing crucial evidence to support the legal proceedings.
So, what happened to Matthew Hardy?
Hardy is currently serving an unprecedented eight-year prison sentence in the UK, marking it as the longest custodial term in British history for online stalking. Initially sentenced in January 2022, he was handed a nine-year term with a minimum requirement of four-and-a-half years.
The court, as depicted in Netflix’s Can I Tell You A Secret? heard details of Hardy’s elaborate schemes, which involved creating fake social media profiles. These actions formed the basis for the serious charges against him and the substantial prison sentence he received.
Over the years, the Cheshire police (Hardy’s hometown) received over 100 complaints regarding the stalker, indicating the widespread impact and persistent nature of Hardy’s crimes. Despite numerous reports, Hardy managed to evade legal consequences for a decade. He was arrested a total of 10 times during this period.
After Hardy’s initial sentencing, Anderson said: “Having led on this case for more than 18 months I have seen the emotional distress and turmoil that Hardy has inflicted on his victims — he did all of this while hiding behind his computer screen.”
(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb and Netflix)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Can I Tell You A Secret is based on the cyberstalking crimes of Matthew Hardy.
Yes, the true-crime documentary is a limited series portraying the true events.
Yes, the true crime documentary was released on 21 February 2024 on Netflix.
Sanika lives for fashion and skincare. She enjoys writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle. She worked as a fashion writer for Man's World India magazine. When not writing about designers and trends, she likes to shop, travel, try new Sushi restaurants, practise pilates and rewatch her comfort shows.
