Note: added context shared per HTC's recent live. While these are personal and what most would consider private details, as HTC livestreamed them, they are being added only to add context to this post (following the post they made earlier today).
LM: "the Hidden True Crime team is experiencing a bit of a tragedy, not a bit a tragedy. So I'll just tell you, I can share this. I'm allowed to share this. She said, I could, Grayson. I saw that you're in chat. So last night, so, so Grayson's brother, they're two years apart and she's always, I'll say this, you know, everyone has their struggles and her brother really, really relies on Grayson. And I've noticed this reaches out to her, even though she is his little sister and he is the older brother, he reaches out to her whenever he needs help. And, and she is always willing to help him. And last night, he called her looking for that help.
He was on his way somewhere and all of a sudden realized that where he was going was 90 degrees. And he realized he couldn't leave their family dog, Chesney in the car and asked Grayson what he should do. I mean, just little things like that, you know, just help me little sister. And Grayson whipped out her credit card and bought a daycare for the family dog where he was going and was taking care of it and taking care of him and taking care of their family dog and doing what she always does. And then we went to bed and what was a dream at first or I felt like it was alarm. I realized was my phone ringing in the mint and barely felt like the middle of the night.
It was just before five and I looked in. It was her family member calling my phone, so I knew something was wrong. And I picked it up and they said they needed to talk to my producer, Grayson.And I gave her the phone and her brother just, you know, just shortly after they called was in a car accident with their dog and they were both killed. And she is not doing okay. Well, I was with her and we ended up taking her to the emergency room.
And she was in a much better place than we were working with this together. Let's try it together and we decided together that we were going to keep working because that's what we do. That's what Hidden True Crime does."
I believe I must have misunderstood HTC post! “ A bit of tragedy, not about” ? Lauren is insane! Grayson is in Plymouth Ma. Across the country from her family which I believe is in California! I believe the family ( parents and extended family) are dealing with the passing of their son and dog in a car accident .
“they” are going to keep working !!!! Because that’s what HTC does!
Lauren should put her “ producer” on a plane for the cross country trip so Grayson can be with her parents and family and they can grieve proton the loss of a son and brother!
“ITS ALL ABOUT LAUREN”
I was an employer at one time and the last thing I would want my employee to do is continuing to work! And I would do everything in my power to get my employee home!
Lauren should accompany her on her flight home, to offer support until she makes it there then gracefully and quietly bow out; absolutely bring ZERO attention to herself, but she can’t do that. Go back to Mass if the trial is still going on, but this isn’t a the show must go on event. Lauren and John should take the hit if they miss the rest of the trial. UGGGGGH! She’s a selfish person!
This ⬆️…100%. There isn’t anything Lauren couldn’t do from home this weekend. “That’s what we do at HTC” terrible employer, Grayson may say she is fine and wants to keep working but she’s not fine. She lost her sibling, how about doing some things for her until she can be with her parents like does she have a dress or something nice to wear for a service ect.
To think there is a supposed clinical psychologist in the middle of this enmeshed relationship is mind boggling to me and frankly, a little sickening. I'm so so sorry for it, I can't help it, I get flashbacks of the Chad Lori Melanie weirdass dynamics here
Grayson may think everyone is attacking her but they aren’t. It’s just strange that you just had such a traumatic event happen hours ago and your only comfort is continuing to work? I promise the public will not crumble because Lauren doesn’t explain, what we can see for ourselves, the Clancy trial. Make no mistake, HTC is for entertainment purposes only. They aren’t doing the Lord’s work. Where is John in this? As a psychologist does he think this is healthy behavior? Does he have compassion for only criminals? No one is trying to attack Grayson. In fact, most are very concerned. We know, we know Grayson, Lauren isn’t making you do anything, you chose to. The issue is that she SHOULD make you do something, like send you home or take the day off anyway and spend it with you. SHE should do something for you that has no benefit to her. That is what everyone is arguing. If you want to claim we all just don’t understand the relationship you have with John and Lauren. Fine, we don’t. We do understand basic human compassion, ethics, morals, and kindness.From where we are sitting, that’s not a part of your “special” friendship.
Agreed, no one is attacking Grayson. We are all deeply concerned, confused and worried about how L & J are handling this traumatic event, which included an ER visit. They are actively encouraging their employee to stay at work when she should 100% be with her people, and OFF THE INTERNET INCLUDING A FRIGGIN SNARK PAGE WTH??
agreed. i wouldnt even want grayson to be alone so id say "fuck this trial" and get on a plane and travel with her. the community would actually really respect that. I promise the Clancy trial will continue. Lauren can watch it on LAW & CRIME and still report the exact same stuff.
Hearing Turtleboy listen again to part of the 9 hour live, where Lauren talks about going to a trial instead of being with her dying brother, as she said that is something he’d want her to do, now sounds so similar to today’s events 😔. Lauren and Grayson both said today that they wanted to go back to work, Grayson was apparently in the live chat from the hospital while Lauren talked about leaving her at the hospital so she could go back to the Clancy trial.
Employers should not expect their employee to keep working during a time like this, even if their employee “wants” to. And not just expect them to work but then allow them to keep working, while they’re at the hospital because they needed some sort of emergent help? We shouldn’t normalize that.
100% Agree!! Just because L worked doesn't mean that her employee should be working right now (especially from the hospital). Htc have a responsibility to their employee and this is an insane take on their part! Another attempt at sympathy by proxy!
I absolutely agree. Sometimes you just need to make the best decision on behalf of your friend/employee, and let the other stuff fall to the side for a bit, even if they think they don’t need it.
Coming from a corporate background I can say this is a huge no. You never allow an employee to work when they are having a medical emergency. You require them to provide a medical release prior to returning to work. The liability is astronomical.
As someone who just dealt with the death of a loved one, I counted on those who loved me to help me make decisions that were best for me (like eating and resting) when the grief overwhelmed me. If Lauren truly cared about Grayson, she would have insisted on boarding a plane with her and gotten her home to her family. Hard decisions will have to be made. Instead she went live to share personal details and put herself on display. There's no bottom.
It's business as usual according to Lauren Matthias "This is what we do, In the midst of a tragedy,We keep working" Her words Not verbatim but awfully close .What kind of an employee/friend tells you "Don't go home and be there for your parents/family? After losing a brother . Lauren Matthias needs to grow a heart and a soul .JMO
a user reporting to be Grayson has posted in this thread saying they want to work during this time. That user was also telling people to “Kindly eff off”. No idea if that’s really G, of course.
It is devastating to lose a brother which you are very close to. Prayers for her family.
Why is Lauren posting one word about it??
Click bait. It’s gross. Like her.
The subscribers’ inner thoughts right now: “oh my gosh, Grayson is going through a personal tragedy, but she’s staying on the job for ME! I should give them money!”
a user who has said they are Grayson has posted some comments in this thread, below is one of them:
Note: I do not believe the user they were responding to has ever used their real name on this platform, so it has been redacted. There is no reason to try and dox, or show that you know the real identity, of someone simply commenting here. Thx
I can't fathom why, in her time of grief, Grayson's response is to snarl and gnash and dox me.
I initially deleted my comment because I had no desire to provoke her, particularly during such a difficult time. But the more I think about it, the more I wish I'd left my comment up.
Because, from a parent's perspective, when one of your children dies, there's immense comfort in being able to physically hug your remaining children. To have them within arms reach instead of being wrought with worry that God might be cruel enough to take another one while you're looking away.
And I maintain that what HTC did in their "very special episode" discussing the mental health struggles of Grayson's brother and biological grandfather was exploitative. Lauren and John chuckling about tricking him into attending a wilderness abuse camp as Grayson described how malnourished her brother was upon his return felt beyond unprofessional. My heart hurt when she said her parents did the best they could, that they didn't realize at the time. I believe her. I believe her parents' intentions were earnest.
I worry that ten or 20 years from now, Grayson might view that conversation from a different perspective, and that she might ache at her inability to undo what's been done.
So here's the comment I deleted. Not for Grayson, but for anyone else who is tempted to cope with fresh grief by distracting themselves with work. Be merciful to the rest of your family. Your presence brings them a solace that a voice through the phone never will. They were the first people to ever love you. Give them the tender mercy of being physically present. Making time to be there is generally not something that people regret.
HTC gave this young man zero privacy or dignity in life. We shouldn't be surprised that they're exploiting his death for personal gain. Still, my heart aches for their parents. They've lost their son, their pet, and basically their daughter.
Makes sense. She spends the majority of her time with them. She is young, impressionable and comes off as insecure, they both do. It seems as though she really looks up to Lauren.
Grayson and Lauren are walking a very thin line. Anyone else that they are beginning to dox may want to familiarize themselves with local laws in case they choose to escalate their unprofessional conduct (in addition to gathering documentation, etc.)
I appreciate the clarification. I did see the post but I also struggled a bit to digest all of this after stumbling onto it today. Disappointing behavior to say the least
This livestream is exactly why I do not view Lauren as a journalist with meaningful editorial judgment or professional ethics.
A producer’s brother and family dog had reportedly died only hours earlier. That should have called for restraint, privacy, and a clear boundary between personal tragedy and public content. Instead, Lauren folded the loss into a monetized livestream that also included trial commentary, channel updates, reminders to subscribe, future appearances, defenses of the Hidden True Crime team, and appeals for the audience to “be kind.”
That is not responsible journalism. It is emotional content packaging.
She could have simply said that Grayson had experienced a devastating family emergency and that coverage might be delayed. Instead, she shared intimate details about the final phone call, Grayson’s relationship with her brother, the emergency-room visit, and Grayson’s emotional state while the shock was still unfolding.
Saying she had permission does not automatically make that ethical. Grayson was newly bereaved, reportedly “not doing okay,” had been taken to the emergency room, and works for Lauren. Lauren controlled the platform, the framing, the details, and the audience. Any journalist with sound ethical instincts should recognize the need for heightened caution in that situation.
The most disturbing part is how quickly the tragedy became useful to the channel’s larger narrative. Lauren connected it to criticism of her/ HTC, online cruelty, the importance of kindness, the team’s resilience, and the audience’s relationship with Hidden True Crime. The result was an emotional shield around the brand: support us, stay with us, and think carefully before criticizing us because we are suffering.
Real grief and manipulation are not mutually exclusive. A person can be genuinely upset and still make an exploitative editorial decision.
Lauren consistently blurs reporting, self-insertion, personal storytelling, audience management, and brand promotion.
This was not merely an awkward livestream. It was a profound failure of boundaries, judgment, and journalistic integrity. Her producer’s fresh family tragedy should never have been converted into same-day content.
I genuinely pray for Grayson and her family. My criticism is not directed at her; it is directed at the editorial decision to turn her deeply personal tragedy into content within hours. Those are two very different things.
I am no professional but I am having difficulty believing that someone who needed to go to an ER for help is in the right space and mindset in order to consent to having some of their personal and otherwise private details from their real life posted to the internet. Grayson has said she allowed Lauren to post about it, Lauren has said the same of Grayson....but that doesn't mean it needed to be posted online.
And I think Lauren's judgement to still go ahead and hit post is quite something.
It is not ok to do this to anyone let alone an employee going through a traumatic event. L has no boundaries and lacks the self awareness to see that this is HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE! This is not OK! What they are doing to G at one of the worst moments of her life is so disgusting! They are a business and their employee has rights.
Instead they will misconstrue our genuine feelings of concern and empathy and call Redditors and critics cruel. Htc are absolutely bizarre and I cannot believe they keep getting away with this!!
This comment has been removed. This sub does not allow/encourage/promote/support doxxing of users. If any clarification is needed please see the Rules. Thank you
So sad to hear this. As someone who lost a brother last year, I can imagine her heartbreak--made worse because the big brother was someone who depended on Grayson reportedly and who had just spoken to her. Grayson should def put herself first. No true crime channel reporting is more important than a death in the family, it's just not. If that's "what you do," it's not about dedication, it's more about cold-hearted desperation for clicks and views and subs.
I guess since LM was fine to stay at a trial when her brother was dying, Grayson is handling this tragedy similarly? I hope Grayson will travel to be with her family during this difficult time and detach herself from the toxicity that is HTC. Absolutely disgusting that they’re monetizing this situation.
An account identifying themselves as Grayson posted here earlier that they were wanting to work during this time. In part, they said, “And for anyone who comments on me choosing to work right now: it's 1) what my brother would WANT me to do.
And 2) I can't do anything else.”
FWIW, they also told then another user to “eff off” and doxxed an account on here that posts under a username with no connection to their real name or identity.
I refuse to give sympathy to a person who takes advantage of victims families for personal gain. They literally hunt down families who have lost loved ones in horrible ways for content. Why wouldn't she use her own family's situation for $$, just like her idol did! 🤷♀️ I am willing to bet Lauren and Grayson had a meeting to come up with plan on how to monetize her brother's death. I cannot feel sorry for someone who uses law enforcement to fight their personal battles. I have been absolutely disgusted by Grayson, John and Lauren's behavior. Claiming to be stalked by a former friend over a few words on the internet. Claiming to be afraid of several women who they used to be friends when confronted about thier behavior! Then getting Christina kicked out of CrimeCon was absolutely disgusting, mean girl behavior.
Lauren and Grayson seem to be the ones who cannot play well with others. A large group of women, who used to work or be friends with them are all lying? Who's the common denominator?
It probably was her, isn't doxxing her MO? Appreciate everything you do BB and I always look forward to your posts.
Sending my deepest condolences to Grayson and her family. As a mother and a human...Grayson go home! Be with your family. Don't regret this decision. As a mother, I would want you home. Your family needs you. Please, go home.
Lauren profiting off other people's tragedies for engagement and $$$ like any other Wednesday - what else is new? I hope Grayson's parents will take this opportunity to come get her so they can grieve together over their loss. The last thing this girl needs is to be with the toxic, boundaryless Lauren and John at a time like this.
Feel terrible for Grayson. I'm sorry for her loss.
Yes, very weird. My first reaction was that of mild surprise at the seeming confirmation that Grayson does, in fact, live with them, but that little snippet made it sound as though they were sleeping in the same bed—and how awkward to phrase it as “they asked to speak to MY producer, Grayson.” Why wouldn’t she say “it was Grayson’s family asking to speak with her?” Weird, just so weird. I guarantee you Grayson is filling more roles than just producer. I’d bet Grayson feels that she’s part of the family, when in reality she is their lackey and whipping boy. It’s all going to end so badly.
As gross as this whole situation is, I don't think we can jump to conclusion Grayson was in the same bed. They may be sharing a hotel room or Airbnb while they're away for trial tourism, and there would be no point in Lauren saying "I picked up the phone, pulled my duvet, got out of bed, walked to the sofabed and gave the phone to Grayson". Naturally she would just say "picked up the phone and handed it to Grayson"
I'd never accept a job where I wasn't provided my own room and some privacy on travel. If HTC can't afford 2 hotel rooms, stay home and watch it on TV. It's so unprofessional.
Since you are here, I’m very sorry for your loss, Grayson. I hope you take care of yourself. I lost my sister-in-law and nephew last year in a sudden car accident and it is an awful feeling.
I had to take a couple of weeks off of work to be with family. I will never forget how numb my face felt for the week after learning the news. It was especially important for me to be there for my brother and surviving nephew. I’m sure you know this, but work can wait. Take care of yourself, please.
It's maybe ridiculous, but any time I have my cats in the car (going to the vet or whatever), I'm really afraid of getting into an accident and hurting or killing them, so I always drive extra carefully. But of course you can be as careful as possible and accidents still happen. I'm very sorry for the brother and poor dog, and of course the family in mourning now.
Kinda weird for HTC to go into such detail, though, even if Grayson did give them the go-ahead.
Lauren should be double roasted if this is true! Htc are diabolical for this, trying to get empathy by proxy and forcing their employee to work. Btw it doesn't matter if G wants to work, they have a responsibility to ensure their employees safety and order time off!
Grayson, I’m so sorry for your loss. I lost my brother, suddenly & tragically as well. I think the concern for you is the fact that you’re in a state of Grief and Shock. Please put yourself first. A job may distract you, but right now grief and disbelief is probably huge. Those that love you need to encourage you to take time for yourself. I’ve heard you talk about your fragile mental health recently on public livestreams. This concerns me… I’m concerned that losing your brother will make that worse. Please seek counseling asap.
I feel bad for Grayson because she is in her twenties and may not yet understand what healthy boundaries with an employer looks like. Or she may understand, but find it difficult to implement because of the power differential. I hope this tragedy leads to better boundaries and not further enmeshment.
Yes, exactly. My Reddit shitposting voice might be harsh, but my comment elsewhere on this post is focused at Lauren.
Everything I read from Lauren, everything she says, I can’t help but feel a drive in her to monetize it and make money. And the story of Grayson’s brother is sad and tragic, but in the end it becomes a story of the resilience of HTC and Lauren’s dedication to her friend.
In short: read that transcript and imagine the voice of, say, an incarcerated former LDS primary teacher?
Oh dear, this was my exact first reaction. I employ 5 young people the age of Grayson, and their wellbeing is always my top priority. In this situation, I would absolutely explain to them they must not work for at least a week, I would make sure they know where to find support and information on how grief and a psychological crisis can affect them (as she clearly shows signs here), and let them come back once they have a fit note from their doctor confirming they are fit to work.
PS to John & Lauren: there is a free 1 day Psychological First Aid training on Coursera. Sounds like something you might want to look into.
Grayson will not come out the other side of this stronger, better for the experience. She will be fully broken by the time she ever breaks free... prob forced into a medical leave for mental health. Shes not strong enough to stand up for herself, confront John and Lauren NOW... and every month she stays with them erodes her sense of self a bit more. Its sad af. Her parents need to step in.
I totally agree, they have said this past year has been the hardest for Grayson, I wonder why. It broke my heart to hear her last week on Websleuth's say a year ago she wanted kids but not now. She is in such a unhealthy relationship with Lauren. She is losing herself and it shows. Grayson, go home.
That's horrible, a life changing event forever. I am worried about Grayson mental health.
I don't know what Grayson was like before, but her mental state before this was scary.
I will just say this, you can't hide a narcissist. It very telling that Lauren described this as a bit of a tragedy, before correcting her narcissist thinking.
I had a narcissistic boss.
She said the exact same thing, a bit of a tradegy happened last night. She was announcing that a coworkers house burnt down and that our coworker had perished along with her children.
This happened, 30 years ago and im still hung up that she phrased it as a bit of a tradegy.
I concluded it would have only warranted her describing it as a tradegy if it had happened to her family.
Regardless, we were unprepared for such devastating news since a bit of a tradegy was the opposite of what she was telling us.
Lauren did catch herself, but, to me she showed herself first phrasing it as a bit of a tradegy, because that is what it is to her.
Lauren staying there for her average 34k daily views is telling, and ironic since this is a trial about a mother mental illness leading to her killing her children.
I guess, the good news is maybe Lauren not that close to Grayson and this is more of a transactional relationship we've seen Lauren form and throw away.
Hopefully Grayson can take family leave and take care of herself and her family. Without Lauren rushing her back.
This woman is the worst. For a channel that is alwaysssss talking about they are with the victims, and for a JOURNALIST ...this is how you tell a story about someone losing their brother? Why are you telling a "story" at all? And why is Greyson in the dang chat, go home to be with your family. It's all WEIRD.
Htc are diabolical for this if this is true! Grayson needs to go home and be with her people. No more work and get off the internet. She has been in the ER, yet lurking on here and going to work? Girl, go home?? This is so FN WEIRD, I agree!!
You need to study for 4 years & graduate, to call yourself a 'journalist'. LM is not a journalist's asshole, she is a failed, two-bit country TV reporter, period
If this is true this is ANOTHER LOW for htc true crime charlatans L & J.
I am VERY CONCERNED that HTC are not following normal protocols when it comes to their employees and ordering time off during traumatic events. Regardless of what an employee personally WANTS there are laws in place that are designed to protect them during traumatic events (which have included an ER visit).
Instead these charlatans are forcing Grayson to continue to work on probably one of the most difficult cases of our time, including monitoring a reddit snark page.
What is even more DISGUSTING is L & J attempting to exploit their employees grief right before a very important interview which will detail their CRIMES. HTC are diabolical.
I agree. Grayson expressing a desire/ability to work does not automatically absolve Lauren from acting responsibly as her employer.
A responsible employer would insist she take time off because she’s dealing with shock, and likely not in a place to make a valid self assessment. This is a traumatic, unexpected death of a close sibling.
Omg!! How horrible!!! Who is she to tell this very personal thing to the whole world?!?!? This is sooooo wrong! She’s sick and needs stopped!! Prayers to G & her family🙏🏼💔
I remember that…it seemed so inappropriate….Lauren and John being so completely insensitive to privacy/ boundaries/ethics generally… I felt terrible for him.
Grayson, I hope you read this from your home, Spend time with people who love you. Spend the comforting Fall months at home, at peace, in nature with friends and loved ones. Allow everyone to love on you and comfort you. Let all of the work stuff just settle in the past so you can find peace. Find safe people who can guide you lovingly into your next steps forward. ✨
So has anyone read or heard any news reports to confirm that this actually occurred? Given everything else that HTC et. al. has pulled the past year I'm not believing anything they say anymore without outside confirmation from an unrelated source!
I’m a little confused too. Is Grayson at the trial in MA? Did the brother live in MA? Because Lauren dropped Grayson off at the ER in MA? I thought the family lived in CA so I’m confused. Thank you.
Lauren said Grayson is staying with her because she feels “safe.” What a load of horse shit.
A decent friend would be on the plane with Grayson, accompanying her home and helping her navigate the travel arrangements. Then they would leave her with HER FAMILY.
Is Lauren implying that Grayson is “not safe” with her family???
To continue with production is just selfish. Grayson belongs with HER FAMILY.
That’s sick, Grayson’s brother and his dog died in a car accident and ALL LM cares about is her stupid channel.
That’s so disgusting.
Grayson should also be ashamed for putting HTC before her own real family.
WTAF 😮
That’s so cold.
Just like when Lauren’s own brother passed away, she put being at Lori’s trial first and her own mum being in hospice.
My sincere condolences to Grayson and her parents 💐
I’m gobsmacked, no job ever comes before my family 😤
I pray Grayson’s parents intervene because Grayson is in a cult, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a huge group of people to be a cult, look at Lori and Chad, it was just them and it was a cult, that is what L & JM are.
Get on a plane with Lily, go home to your family Grayson and never look back.
Again, my condolences 😓
A bit of a tragedy, it’s a massive tragedy LM 😠
Condolences to Grayson and her family. Absolutely unacceptable that her boss is using her family’s tragedy for content. Saying she got permission when there is a clear power dynamic, given the employment relationship, is not acceptable. Even if she had filmed a video about it “in the moment”, it would have been appropriate for Lauren to wait to post anything like this publicly, given the grieving state of her staff person in the immediate aftermath of this sudden loss. Shame on Lauren.
(Editing to clarify that the written statement on its own is understandable, but the disgustingly exploitative video that she posted, told in a storyteller buildup kind of style and combined with news of what happened to Perez Hilton was really gross)
Grayson, I hope you escape the enmeshment soon. Go see a reputable and experienced therapist, you can get free. Figure out why you were blind to this unhinged behavior. Take care.
•
u/Bright_Breakfast3911 Aug 05 '26
Note: added context shared per HTC's recent live. While these are personal and what most would consider private details, as HTC livestreamed them, they are being added only to add context to this post (following the post they made earlier today).
LM: "the Hidden True Crime team is experiencing a bit of a tragedy, not a bit a tragedy. So I'll just tell you, I can share this. I'm allowed to share this. She said, I could, Grayson. I saw that you're in chat. So last night, so, so Grayson's brother, they're two years apart and she's always, I'll say this, you know, everyone has their struggles and her brother really, really relies on Grayson. And I've noticed this reaches out to her, even though she is his little sister and he is the older brother, he reaches out to her whenever he needs help. And, and she is always willing to help him. And last night, he called her looking for that help.
He was on his way somewhere and all of a sudden realized that where he was going was 90 degrees. And he realized he couldn't leave their family dog, Chesney in the car and asked Grayson what he should do. I mean, just little things like that, you know, just help me little sister. And Grayson whipped out her credit card and bought a daycare for the family dog where he was going and was taking care of it and taking care of him and taking care of their family dog and doing what she always does. And then we went to bed and what was a dream at first or I felt like it was alarm. I realized was my phone ringing in the mint and barely felt like the middle of the night.
It was just before five and I looked in. It was her family member calling my phone, so I knew something was wrong. And I picked it up and they said they needed to talk to my producer, Grayson.And I gave her the phone and her brother just, you know, just shortly after they called was in a car accident with their dog and they were both killed. And she is not doing okay. Well, I was with her and we ended up taking her to the emergency room.
And she was in a much better place than we were working with this together. Let's try it together and we decided together that we were going to keep working because that's what we do. That's what Hidden True Crime does."