The social media streets are filled with ponderings regarding a certain 9 hour live-stream on YouTube (YT). Lauren Matthias, former local network reporter, now co-host of Hidden True Crime (HTC) (along with her husband, Dr. John Matthias) sat in front of a camera for 9 hours to tell everybody that would listen that she had a stalker and was afraid for her safety. What followed was not quite what I expected. It doesn't look like it's what many expected as she seems to have as many detractors as she does supporters.
I'll admit, I was a "Hidden Gem" for a time, mostly for the Vallow Daybell trials. I dropped both my membership and subscription due to Lauren's takes regarding Richard Allen and his trial in Delphi, IN. Even Dr. John highly disappointed me, not seeing any problem at all with a presumed innocent pre-trial detainee being subjected to over a year in solitary confinement in the Indiana prison system (IDOC). Or him seemingly A-OK with a psych professional, Dr. Wala, being in every Facebook (FB) regarding the Delphi murders while treating this alleged murderer - is she just a true crime junkie or did she want to help insure his conviction? Personally, I believe Rick Allen has been treated terribly and is factually innocent in the deaths of Abigail Williams & Liberty German.
Picking up bad habits from some friends that she made during that trial (mainly the co-hosts of Murder Sheet), Lauren copyright struck a number of smaller YT creators when they used her footage under Fair Use. In other words, they provided commentary (which was probably negative) regarding her reporting. I know at least one YouTuber settled things with her, one who also covered the Vallow Daybell trials, but the rest I'm unsure of.
To be fair, I did not listen to Lauren's whole 9 hour livestream. I've watched it piecemeal via other creators. I also listened to her court hearing and read some of documents Sleuthie Goosie posted on X. Mostly the affidavits of Christina (aka The Stalker) and three of her friends to see what the other side had to say. Lauren and her defenders claim they were followed a good half-dozen times but it seems Lauren and her crew purposely placed themselves in the vicinity. A few took place at/around CrimeCon 2025 - Christina had purchased a VIP pass a year prior which Lauren not only knew about, as they were friendly at the time, she had no plans to attend herself. Lauren had no booth, was not a speaker, etc. yet she showed up anyway and managed to prevent Christina from attending because she had a temporary restraining order (TRO) (or whatever the hell it's called in Utah/Nevada). Lauren also claims she was there "for work." What "work?"
A few other physical encounters that allegedly took place happened when Christina was out of the country. I guess the reason she was chosen as "The Stalker" is due to a bunch of harmless (and kinda inane IMO) Tik Tok videos. For 4 years, a rather large YT creator (he's approaching 1M subs, might have even surpassed it, but I very rarely watch him) and his co-creators/friends love to mention me and my friends, calling us things like crazy psycho mean girls that he will one day sue. Like Christina, he's careful not to mention our names. When we hit back, we endure ridicule and worse. That's just how social media works and Lauren is not exempt. She's also not being stalked, IMO.
As a matter of fact, that TRO will never become a permanent one. They held the first half of the hearing where the judge warned Lauren that she was trampling all over Christina's 1st amendment rights. Then we heard from a couple of witnesses on Christina's side. It was at the end of the day so they scheduled the remainder of the hearing for sometime in the future. Lauren's lawyer(s) subsequently asked for more time which the judge denied. In the end, Lauren dropped the matter although she's not told her followers that. Actually, reading the court docs, Lauren left out or twisted quite a bit of the story and made some ant hills into mountain ranges, IMO.
Bottom line: As Emily D. Baker says, "the internet is gonna internet." If you don't like what someone has to say then don't read/watch them. You can generally mute/block people on the various social media platforms. If you say shitty things in texts/DMs just know that eventually they're gonna get out. When it comes back to bite you in the ass it's best to swallow your pride and apologize rather than trying to villainize critics, IMO.
For a balanced perspective, I suggest watching Chasing's videos - she breaks everything down sensibly. I also highly recommend reading the court docs posted by Sleuthie Goosie.













