Mother Accused of Faking Daughter’s Illness Now a Social Media Star
A mother at the center of a notorious charity fraud scheme, who allegedly duped celebrities and the public into believing her daughter was dying from a brain tumor, has reportedly resurfaced under a new identity as a globe-trotting social media influencer. Jean O’Brien, 71, is facing renewed calls for a police investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her daughter Megan Bhari’s death and the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of pounds donated to their ‘Believe in Magic’ charity.
Charity Funds Allegedly Misused for Luxury Lifestyle
The ‘Believe in Magic’ charity, established by O’Brien and her daughter, aimed to fund ‘fairytale’ trips for seriously ill children and their families. However, investigations revealed that significant donations were allegedly funneled into O’Brien’s personal bank account and used for lavish expenses, including private jet travel and luxury holidays. O’Brien has largely remained out of public view for nearly a decade, reportedly going into hiding as her alleged deceptions began to unravel around the time of her daughter’s passing.
A New Identity and Online Persona
Recent investigations have uncovered an extraordinary transformation in O’Brien’s life. She has reportedly adopted a new persona, ‘Lily Bradshaw,’ and is now active as a lifestyle influencer, particularly popular among older social media users. In this new role, she shares details of her extensive travels and life experiences, seemingly without any public acknowledgment of her controversial past. Neighbors in the tranquil West Country village where she now resides are reportedly unaware of her history.
Documentary Reignites Scrutiny
The case has regained public attention due to a recent documentary series, ‘The Mother of All Cons,’ which explores O’Brien’s alleged manipulation and her relationship with her daughter, Megan. When approached at her home, O’Brien declined to be interviewed, leaving a note stating the documentary was a “complete fabrication” and requesting the reporter to leave.
Allegations of Forged Prescriptions and Misleading Support
Friends and relatives suggest that Megan Bhari may have genuinely believed she was seriously ill, with allegations that her mother orchestrated fake morphine prescriptions using forged signatures. Megan passed away in March 2018 at the age of 23 from an unrelated heart condition. Following her death, O’Brien reportedly withdrew from public life.
A Life of Global Adventures
Reports indicate that O’Brien has spent the last eight years traveling extensively, embarking on solo trips to destinations ranging from the Caribbean to the Arctic Circle. She has reportedly expressed joy in her newfound freedom, describing experiences such as swimming with turtles in Barbados, dancing in rainforests, and visiting Buddhist monasteries. She has also spoken about embracing her current life, stating she counts her blessings daily and finds her life “wonderful.”
Relocation and Online Presence
O’Brien has reportedly sold her previous home and now resides in a historic cottage in an idyllic West Country village. Her half-sister, Nina, indicated in the documentary that O’Brien moved to France after Megan’s inquest and subsequently “vanished,” cutting off contact with family. Nina suggested that O’Brien has reinvented herself, mentioning her new life without referencing the charity or Megan’s situation, except for vague mentions of loss.
Nina also expressed a desire for justice for Megan, stating, “I feel like with everything that I have, all of this information that I’ve got together, I should be able to take this to the police, that someone should listen and take it seriously… what I want and what I hope for is that Meg gets that justice that she deserves.”
‘Lily Bradshaw’ on Sixty and Me
For the past two years, O’Brien has reportedly been contributing to ‘Sixty and Me,’ an online platform for women over 60, under the pseudonym Lily Bradshaw. Her profile describes her as having had an “interesting and varied career,” including work as a psychotherapist and lecturer, followed by creating educational courses. Her articles on the platform cover topics such as health, finance, senior dating, and coping with grief, though she is said to avoid mentioning Megan or the past scandal.
In her writings, O’Brien has spoken of creating an “invisible cloak” or “Angel Wings” to protect herself from hurt and to help her overcome difficulties. She has also spoken about the profound loss of a pet dog, describing it as a “huge blow” and leaving her feeling “lonely.”
Charity’s Rise and Fall
Megan Bhari founded ‘Believe in Magic’ in 2011. While the charity gained significant celebrity support, including from One Direction, financial irregularities came to light. Investigations revealed substantial sums were withdrawn from the charity’s accounts. Parents of sick children, suspicious about fund allocation, hired private investigators. These investigators reportedly documented O’Brien and Megan disembarking a ship in Southampton in 2016 with extensive luggage, following a period in Florida where they allegedly stayed in a luxury villa for months while Megan was supposedly receiving treatment.
The Charity Commission eventually froze the charity’s accounts following a probe that identified significant cash withdrawals and electronic transfers to a trustee. Megan died within a year of these events.
Inquest Findings and Morphine Allegations
An inquest in November 2018 concluded that Megan Bhari had never suffered from a brain tumor. The coroner ruled her death was due to acute cardiac arrhythmia, linked to fatty liver disease and a high body mass index. It has also emerged that Megan, who left school at 13, had been taking dangerously high doses of liquid morphine for years. Despite the NHS discontinuing her prescription in 2015, she allegedly continued to receive doses significantly exceeding recommended levels through forged prescriptions. The medication was reportedly obtained from Harrods until a pharmacist raised concerns. O’Brien was reportedly interviewed by police regarding the forged prescriptions but allegedly blamed Megan, and no criminal charges were brought against her.
O’Brien has also reportedly claimed that Megan managed the charity’s finances. The charity was officially shut down in 2020.
Reflections on Aging and New Beginnings
O’Brien’s recent writings reflect on the freedom that comes with aging, suggesting that after years of work and caregiving, older individuals have time for personal pursuits and adventures. She encourages others to pursue their passions, whether it be travel, writing, or art, and to “take that first step to making your dream a reality.” She describes her current life in a West Country village as fulfilling, surrounded by creative neighbors.
Her travels have included a trip to Crete, which she likened to the movie ‘Shirley Valentine.’ During her travels, she reportedly sustained a knee injury requiring replacement surgery. O’Brien’s narrative emphasizes self-discovery and embracing new opportunities, contrasting sharply with the dark allegations of her past.
