Netflix doc ‘A Toxic Love Story’ dives into bizarre Orange County case of threats and lies

The Netflix documentary “A Toxic Love Story”, released July 22, exposes the hidden truths behind a sensational Orange County case from 2016. The documentary examines the bizarre story of a husband, his new wife, and his former fiancée.

Warning: spoilers ahead.

Initially, Ontario resident Michelle Hadley was accused of responding to “rape fantasy” ads on Craigslist – pretending to be her ex-fiancé’s wife, Angela Diaz, and directing strangers to show up at the other woman’s home.

Hadley dated her former fiance, Ian Diaz, a U.S. Marshals Service agent, from 2013 to 2015, prosecutors said. He married Angela in February 2016.

Prosecutors at the time said Hadley also sent Angela Diaz numerous emails threatening her life and the life of her unborn child. Hadley was arrested and jailed for more than three months.

But then the tale took an unexpected turn.

Authorities uncovered an IP address that linked emails to Diaz’s Anaheim condominium. Soon after, authorities revealed they believed that Diaz was actually behind the Craigslist ads and emails in an effort to set up Hadley.

Diaz was accused of kidnapping, false imprisonment and perjury, and pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. She was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison.

Though Hadley was now exonerated, the 88 days she spent in jail and the subsequent media attention significantly impacted her life, according to her attorney.

Hadley sued the city of Anaheim in November 2019, as well as Angela Diaz and her husband, saying police failed to thoroughly investigate her case. In April 2021, the city agreed to settle the lawsuit for almost $1.8 million.

The last twist in the story came when Ian Diaz’s story also came to light in May 2021. He was arrested and charged with cyberstalking, conspiracy to commit cyberstalking and perjury after an indictment suggested that he work with his wife to set up and punish Hadley for their failed relationship and a property dispute.

He was eventually found guilty of all counts in March 2023 after a week-long trial held in federal court in Downtown Los Angeles, and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.

The Netflix documentary includes new interviews with Hadley, one of Ian Diaz’s best friends and the federal agent who solved the case.