What Happened to Angela Diaz After Framing Michelle Hadley in Rape Fantasy Plot

Netflix’s true crime lineup continues to uncover bizarre cases, and ‘A Toxic Love Story’ may be one of the most shocking yet. This documentary revisits the harrowing experience of California graduate student Michelle Hadley, who spent 88 days in jail for a crime she did not commit.

At the heart of this story is Angela Diaz, now known as Angela Connell, whose intricate plan to frame her husband’s ex-fiancée nearly robbed an innocent woman of her freedom. Years later, many are curious about Angela’s current situation.

Michelle’s nightmare began in June 2016 when Angela reported to the Anaheim Police Department that she was being cyberstalked by someone she claimed was Hadley, her fiancé Ian Diaz’s ex. Angela and Ian Diaz accused Michelle Hadley of cyberstalking, asserting that the harassment included threats to kidnap and kill Angela.

The couple, featured in Netflix’s ‘A Toxic Love Story,’ alleged that Michelle even impersonated Angela to respond to a rape fantasies ad, using Angela’s name, picture, and address, which culminated in an alleged rape attempt in Angela’s garage, according to statements from the Orange County District Attorney’s office.

Prosecutors stated that Angela was determined to see her husband’s ex imprisoned, even suggesting in a police statement that Hadley should register as a sex offender.

The consequences were dire. Michelle was arrested and faced the threat of life in prison while investigators initially believed Angela’s account. It took months for the truth to emerge.

Eventually, investigators traced the so-called threatening emails back to the very individuals claiming to be victims. The joint investigation revealed that the emails and rape fantasy solicitations originated not from Hadley, but from the condo shared by Ian Diaz and Angela, Angela’s cell phone, and Angela’s father’s residence in Arizona.

This revelation shattered the case. Authorities also discovered that Angela had previously faked cervical cancer, posed as an attorney, and even pretended to be pregnant, revealing a long history of deception that extended beyond the Hadley incident.

After spending 88 days in jail, Michelle was finally exonerated. She later recounted to Netflix that freedom felt incredibly sweet, something one does not fully appreciate until it has been taken away.

Angela ultimately pleaded guilty to forgery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and falsely reporting a crime in 2017, concluding one of the more intricate frame jobs in recent true crime history.

Angela received a five-year prison sentence for her involvement in the scheme. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, she was taken to prison on January 8, 2018, and was credited with 342 days for time served while awaiting sentencing.

Her time in prison did not last the full five years on record. Angela was released on July 19, 2020, after completing her sentence as mandated by law, and was placed on parole. She finished her parole exactly one year later, on July 19, 2021.

This timeline meant she was free long before her ex-husband faced legal consequences. Ian was not arrested for his part in the conspiracy until years later, allowing Angela to complete her sentence before his case even went to trial.

So, where is Angela now? After Diaz annulled their marriage in April 2017, Connell reverted to her maiden name. She has since relocated from California and now resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Her post-prison journey took an unexpected turn. Connell has become an advocate for abortion access, a notable shift for someone whose criminal case once revolved around faking a pregnancy as part of a complex deception.

Unlike Michelle, who has publicly shared her story, Angela has maintained a low profile since completing her sentence. She declined to participate in ‘A Toxic Love Story,’ according to Netflix, meaning her perspective is conveyed solely through court records and prosecutor statements rather than her own narrative.

In contrast, Ian’s situation is markedly different. He was convicted in 2023 of conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, cyberstalking, perjury, and obstruction of justice, with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upholding his convictions in January 2025. He is currently serving his sentence at FMC Fort Worth, with a scheduled release date of January 31, 2031.

With Michelle Hadley’s ordeal now receiving the documentary spotlight, and Angela Connell forging a new life far from Orange County, it raises questions about how someone who once fabricated an entire criminal case can become an advocate for women’s rights, and whether this transformation feels like justice or merely another chapter in the same story for those who experienced it firsthand.