Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah – Episode 4: The Suspect
Release Date: May 26, 2025
Hosts: Jake Halpern & Jess McHugh
Producers: Amy Gaines McQuaid and Tali M
Executive Producer: Jacob Smith
Introduction
In Episode 4, titled "The Suspect," of Deep Cover: The Truth About Sarah, hosts Jake Halpern and Jess McHugh delve deeper into the enigmatic life of Sarah Kavanaugh. A decorated Marine and a devoted social worker, Sarah's seemingly heroic facade begins to crumble as layers of deception emerge, leading investigators into a complex web of fraud and betrayal.
The Discovery: Kate Mannion’s Involvement
The unraveling begins with Kate Mannion, a former Marine and co-host of Barstool Sports' podcast Zero Blog 30. Kate's military background and current role in supporting veterans make her a pivotal figure in uncovering Sarah's deceit.
Kate Mannion [04:04]:
"I'm like, oh, a Yale email address. My mind was blown. I was like, what could this possibly be about? For me, it's gotta be something to do with like butts or something. Cause that's more the beat I cover."
During a routine scroll through social media, Kate stumbles upon a heartfelt post by Hunter7, a veterans' charity, detailing Sarah's severe battle with cancer. The emotional depth and medical specificity of Sarah's story deeply resonate with Kate, prompting her to take action.
Kate Mannion [06:03]:
"I was like, oh, my God. This cancer is related directly to her time in service, to so many things that myself and my friends were exposed to, things like this."
Motivated by empathy and a sense of duty, Kate amplifies Sarah's story across her platforms, unaware that this act would be the catalyst for exposing a six-year long deception.
Unraveling the Lie: The Investigation
Tom Donnelly, chief of VA Police in Rhode Island and an investigator with the VA's Office of Inspector General, begins to piece together inconsistencies in Sarah's narrative. Initial doubts arise when Hunter7's social media posts about Sarah contain discrepancies concerning her military service and medical records.
Tom Donnelly [14:04]:
"The Providence VA only did that procedure to one person on that day, and that person was Justin."
Comparing Sarah's fabricated medical records with those of Justin, a friend battling stage four lung cancer, the investigators uncover striking similarities and evidence of data manipulation.
Justin Richmond [18:53]:
"What immediately occurred to me was that as soon as I told her I had cancer, even though she was telling me it was okay, in her back of her mind, she was thinking, I can take advantage of this."
Further scrutiny reveals that Sarah had accessed and altered Justin's medical records, using them to legitimize her false claims of being a veteran and a cancer patient. This blatant breach of trust and ethical misconduct sets the stage for a comprehensive investigation.
The Search Warrant and Confrontation
As the evidence mounts, Donnelly secures a search warrant to raid Sarah's residence. On February 3, 2022, a team of federal agents descends upon Sarah's home under a blanket of snow, signaling the gravity of their mission.
Tom Donnelly [26:47]:
"So we got the paperwork signed, figure out how we're going to approach the house. We all pile into our cars and we drive down Rhode Island."
In a rare moment of courtesy, Donnelly contacts Sarah before breaching the door, giving her a chance to comply willingly. However, Sarah evades their initial attempt, prompting the agents to force entry after a tense 15-minute wait.
Inside, the agents meticulously search for incriminating evidence, uncovering items like Sarah's VFW membership card, misleading medical bills, and a suspicious green notebook resembling a military war diary.
Tom Donnelly [33:10]:
"She had what, in my opinion, I would call a backstopped identity. Anyone who was ever in the military or worked for the government knows the green record book."
Confronted with overwhelming evidence, Sarah's facade begins to crumble. Overcome by paranoia and the relentless pressure of her lies, she experiences a mental breakdown, culminating in a desperate psychiatric evaluation.
Sarah Kavanaugh [30:47]:
"I lost a ton of weight. I began to drink extremely heavily, and I... kind of lost interest in most other things."
The Aftermath and Impact
Sarah's arrest sends shockwaves through her personal and professional circles. Her wife, Nicole, is left grappling with the betrayal, unsure of whom to trust. The investigation reveals that Sarah defrauded over ten veterans' charities, including Hunter7, and exploited five individuals, siphoning off more than a quarter of a million dollars.
Jake Halpern [36:09]:
"She defrauded 10 different veterans charities. She also stole federal benefits, accepted donations from GoFundMe, and exploited five individuals."
The revelation of Sarah's double life not only tarnishes the reputation of the charities involved but also sows distrust among donors, potentially jeopardizing the aid provided to genuine veterans in need.
Conclusion
Episode 4, "The Suspect," masterfully navigates the intricate layers of Sarah Kavanaugh's deception, highlighting the profound impact of her fraud on the lives of those who trusted her. Through meticulous investigation and the relentless pursuit of truth by TOM Donnelly and Kate Mannion, the episode underscores the fragility of trust and the devastating consequences of betrayal.
Jake Halpern [39:15]:
"Original scoring and our theme were composed by Luis Guerra. Our show art was designed by Sean Carney. Fact checking by Annika Robbins."
As the case against Sarah unfolds, listeners are left pondering the complexities of identity, the ease of manipulation, and the resilience required to uncover the truth.
Credits:
- Produced by: Amy Gaines McQuaid and Tali M
- Additional Production Support: Sonja Gerwitt
- Edited by: Karen Shakurji
- Executive Producer: Jacob Smith
- Mastering: Jake Gorski
- Original Scoring and Theme: Luis Guerra
- Show Art: Sean Carney
- Fact-Checking: Annika Robbins
- Special Thanks: Sarah Nix, Izzy Carter, Daphne Chen, Jake Flanagan, Greta Cohn, and Vicki Merrick
Next Episode: "Reckoning at Home" – Delving into the confrontation between Sarah and her wife, Nicole, and the fallout from the investigation.
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