What happened to Lisa Hayden-Johnson as Love You To Death airs on Channel 4?

CHANNEL 4’s new documentary Love You To Death revisits one of the UK’s most notorious cases of medical deception. The three-part Channel 4 series examines the story of Lisa Hayden-Johnson, a mother from Devon who spent years falsely claiming her young son Matthew was terminally ill. For at least six years, Hayden-Johnson claimed her son Matthew suffered from a wide range of life-threatening medical conditions Credit: Alamy She routinely described him to the media as ‘the most ill child in Britain’ Credit: TNA It brings together family members, medical professionals, and investigating police officers to detail how the deception unfolded. The series also features Lisa Hayden-Johnson speaking on camera for the first time since her release from prison, alongside interviews with her son Matthew, now 25, and her daughter Laura, 27. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! What did Lisa Hayden-Johnson do? For at least six years, Hayden-Johnson claimed her son Matthew suffered from a wide range of life-threatening medical conditions, including cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, food allergies, and severe diabetes. She routinely described him to the media as “the most ill child in Britain,” forcing him to use a wheelchair, rely on feeding tubes, and live as a full-time patient. More on Love You to Death She subjected Matthew to over 300 unnecessary medical procedures, including invasive blood tests and surgeries. Prosecutors said her actions were driven by a desire for publicity, attention, and financial gain. Through her lies, Hayden-Johnson managed to meet high-profile public figures, including prime ministers and members of the royal family. The ongoing deception also brought significant financial reward, as she received cash donations, disability benefits, and charitable gifts alongside free luxury holidays. Most read in The Sun Her legal team later confirmed she suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition where a caregiver exaggerates or induces illness in a dependent to gain attention and sympathy. How was the deception exposed? The abuse came to light in 2009 after Hayden-Johnson made a false rape claim to police to cover up why Matthew had missed a scheduled diabetes appointment. The false allegation led police and medical professionals to look into her background and Matthew’s medical records. Upon investigating her home and running independent medical evaluations, authorities discovered that despite his extensive medical equipment, Matthew was healthy and suffered from none of the illnesses his mother claimed. What was her sentence? Hayden-Johnson was arrested in 2009. In January 2010, at Exeter Crown Court, she pleaded guilty to child cruelty and perverting the course of justice. Judge Stephen Wildblood sentenced her to three years and three months (39 months) in prison, describing her behaviour as “cruel, manipulative, perverse, disordered, and pitiful.” Prosecutor Andrew Macfarlane said in court that her actions amounted to “24-hour-a-day torture” motivated by publicity and financial rewards. Where is Lisa Hayden-Johnson now? Following her conviction, Hayden-Johnson served her sentence and was released from custody. The Channel 4 documentary series marks Hayden-Johnson’s first public on-camera appearance since leaving prison. Her children were initially taken into care before moving to live with their father, who had also been deceived by her lies. Matthew, now 25 and working in finance, revealed that taking part in Love You To Death helped him process his past. He has said that he has forgiven his mother, asking, “What other option do I have?” as he works to move forward. Comment now