Case 286: The Survivors' Network
After two planes struck New York City’s World Trade Center on September 11 2001, Tania Head was one of the lucky few who managed to escape from above the impact zone of the South Tower. Saved by lauded 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, Tania’s incredible and heartbreaking story of survival became an inspiration. Triumphing through trauma, she became the face of a support group called The Survivors’ Network. Yet, as Tania’s fame grew, she became uncharacteristically anxious. Was there more to her story?
Team:
Anonymous Host - narration
Milly Raso - research, writing, creative direction
Mike Migas - production, music
Andrew D.B. Joslyn - music
Comments (20)
Hey folks, habitual liar here! It's not often a casefile episode lands so directly in my wheelhouse, but I listened with intense professional interest to this ep. Ms. Head grew up lying at a time when it wasn't yet possible to just look things up, and that ultimately was her downfall, but she did so many things "right": she chose a story and stuck to it, never outing herself by "remembering" extra details when pressed (and instead deflecting by just not making appearances). If you're going to make up a story, get the details right the first time and resist the urge to add things in later on-- your audience will inevitably compare notes. If someone starts asking questions that you can't answer, stonewall them: "I've told you all I know." Then spin the blame right back around: "it's not my fault you don't believe me!" They're not kidding about the tangled web, so if your memory isn't great, lying probably won't be your forte either. My best advice: if you HAVE to lie, think of what you're going to say BEFORE you're questioned, not during. Your improv skills are not as great as you think they are, and you'll get cornered fast. Finally: tell the truth, and tell it ALL the first time. It'll save you a lot of headache later. My childhood was REALLY f'd up!
So bizarre!!!!!
Thank you for starting this story with Welles Crowther. It helps bookend the truth for heroes and survivors versus the lies of someone desperate for this sort of awful pitying attention. I was a child when 9/11 happened, living on a military base, not near NY, and like many Americans alive at this time, it is impossible to forget that day. It is so mindnumbingly infuriating for people to lie for attention or money. It casts doubt over other's stories. I know this sort of lie is a sickness of its own, but it is awful. Why didn't Tania/Alicia just help the survivors instead of one upping their traumas. She did help, I know, but why the other stuff?
Definitely the most unique Casefile episode. Is this the first episode where it’s a story where no ‘crime’ was committed or no charges were laid? I’d like more eps like this as whilst it isn’t true crime technically (although what Tania did is highly immoral), Casefile tell the story in a great way
Just imagine a crossover episode with Swindled and Casefile. Sheesh. Awesome work!
The podcast Swindled did an episode on this same topic too if anyone is every interested in another perspective (plus Swindled is an awesome podcast as well)
Another WOW story!
OMFG - AWESOME NARRATION I knew of the story but the level of detail was why I love Case File. Thank you.
An absolutely fascinating episode full of details I had never heard before. It’s incredible that she thought she could get away with such a story and frankly that she did get away with it for so long. I really do wonder what people are thinking when they do things like this.
I had just moved to nyc a few weeks before September 11 and watched the towers fall from Union Square. I’m still not really able to watch or listen to much about that day, but this was really well done. Thank you.
Good episode. You should do Nicholas Rossi/Alahverdian!
Wouldn’t that be great! Such a weird story that one.
Kudos to Casey for saying "David Dunlap had done his due diligence" so smoothly.
Meh
What an absolutely incredible episode, perfectly told.
Gotta wonder WTF is wrong with someone to claim that sort of story she told. Like, how low can you be to claim you survived something so horrifying? I was born after it happened and I’m not calling myself a survivor (cuz I wasn’t even in the country or born when it happened). I feel for the families of the real victims and the genuine survivors of the 9/11 tragedy. Hearing stories of people using this sort of tragedy makes my blood boil.
What a bizarre and complex story of what-the-fuckery and a lot of “why” questions.
I’m absolutely thrilled with this episode - I’ve watched the documentary about her several times and am so fascinated by what drives her to do this. I always love when Casefile does unique cases like this, or Shergar which I just re-listened to.
I’ve seen this story before on tv. I forget which network - maybe Prime. It’s shocking for sure. Great job CF!
fantastic episode