'Baby Reindeer': 'Real-life Martha's victim reflects on 5yrs of stalking
Laura Wray, the widow of former Scottish MP Jimmy Wray, has expressed her fears following the popularity of the Netflix series Baby Reindeer. The show tells the story of a barman named Donny who is relentlessly stalked by a woman called Martha. Interestingly, Wray had secured an interim restraining order against a woman she claims to be the real-life Martha back in 2002. She now fears for her safety as memories from her past ordeal resurface.
Why does this story matter?
Baby Reindeer, which has become one of the platform's most-watched shows since its April 11 release, is based on a true story. The series was written and stars Richard Gadd—who drew from his real-life experiences with stalking. Recently, Fiona Harvey, who claims to be 'the real-life Martha' made an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored. Following this, Wray expressed concerns about how it brought back painful memories.
Wray recalls disturbing past with 'Real-Life Martha'
Wray's distressing encounter with the alleged 'real-life Martha' began in 1997 when she hired the woman, a lawyer, for a two-week trial at her Glasgow law firm. However, due to abusive behavior, Wray dismissed her after just one week. Speaking to The Mirror, Wray said: "I hadn't thought about her for years. Every time someone says a comment, it triggers it again. Memories of things that she did...It's pretty distressing."
'My partner and I are concerned...'
Further, Wray stated, "Watching her last night [on the show], how did I manage to cope with that for so long? My partner and I are concerned about what she might do next." "Is she going to come after me? She is posting things on Facebook accusing me of all sorts, and of being abusive. You don't know where it will end." Reportedly, Harvey had reported Wray to social services and falsely claimed that she had hit her disabled child.
This is how Wray believes she's featured in 'Baby Reindeer'
Wray also believes she is indirectly featured in Baby Reindeer through a fictional newspaper article headlined: "Sick stalker targets barrister's deaf child." Further, Wray added, "If she does have any friends, surely they should be trying to help her and calm things down. But she doesn't want to calm things down. Part of her is really enjoying this. She even had a makeover for Piers Morgan."
'They haven't done enough to protect her'
Wray criticized Netflix for not doing enough to protect the woman who appears to be mentally ill, expressing surprise that they "didn't attempt to hide the stalker's identity." She said: "Even if she wasn't mentally ill, if you are doing a show billed as a true story where the people are still alive and might be harmed, there is a duty of care...But she seems obviously so mentally ill." "They haven't done enough to protect her."
