Latest news with #anti-vaxxer
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Trial for Outback Wrangler Matt Wright hears explosive claims
A Netflix reality star 'idolised' by his staff was an 'anti-vaxxer' who broke Covid-19 laws and was allegedly secretly recorded talking about tinkering with flight records while visiting a chopper crash survivor left paraplegic in hospital, a jury has heard. The extraordinary claims about Outback Wrangler Matt Wright were made this week during his trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court, where he is charged with three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The 45-year-old celebrity is accused of failing to accurately record flight times in the Robinson-R-44 that crashed in February 2022, killing his co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson. It is not alleged Mr Wright is responsible for the crash. Mr Wilson, 34, was dangling from a sling attached to the helicopter during a dangerous crocodile egg collecting mission when the chopper crashed in Arnhem Land. CHOPPER RECORDS ALLEGEDLY FUDGED Pilot Seb Robinson, who survived the crash but is now a paraplegic, testified his former boss was an 'anti-vaxxer' despite Mr Wright going to two Covid restricted areas – the remote helicopter crash site and the injured pilot's Brisbane hospital room. He told the jury the main reason Mr Wright was not on the egg mission was 'because he was an anti-vaxxer'. At the time, there were strict Covid rules for anyone entering remote areas in the Territory, where they needed to provide proof of vaccination and take a rapid antigen test. The jury previously heard Mr Wright flew to the crash site with Wild Harvest NT director Mick Burns and off-duty senior NT Police officer Neil Mellon. Following the crash, Mr Robinson spent one month in hospital, where Covid restrictions meant two people could visit and everyone needed to provide a valid vaccination certificate. Mr Robinson said he had just come out of a coma, was heavily sedated and 'hallucinating' but 'vaguely' remembered a visit from Mr Wright and his wife Kaia on March 11. 'I have a vivid memory of him having some sort of paperwork in his hands,' Mr Robinson said. He alleged his boss wanted to move 'a few' hours from the crashed helicopter – with the call sign IDW – to Mr Robinson's personal chopper,with the call sign ZXZ. Mr Robinson, 28, also alleged Mr Wright 'asked to go through my phone and delete a few things'. 'I remember looking over and seeing him holding my phone and flicking through it and deleting things,' Mr Robinson said. The jury heard the former pilot also deleted 'some stuff', including phone notes for start and stop times for IDW during egg collection trips. 'It was a very hard time for me. I didn't know who to trust and I panicked and went along with it,' he said. Mr Robinson alleged on Mr Wright's second hospital visit he brought Jai Thomlinson to again discuss the transfer of hours from IDW to ZXZ. 'I just remember having concerns about what was happening,' Mr Robinson said. 'I said I didn't feel comfortable doing it,' he said. 'I don't think (Mr Wright) was upset … he sort of said: 'That's OK.'' A secret mobile audio recording of this hospital visit allegedly captured Mr Wright talking about IDW flight times over the phone. Mr Robinson admitted he initially repeatedly lied to investigators because he 'panicked' and was worried about losing his pilot's licence. PILOT'S COCAINE PARTYING Mr Robinson admitted he used cocaine 'a couple times a year' – up to 10 times over 12 months – but he denied he was a 'raging cocaine junkie'. The former pilot said he had never flown a helicopter while intoxicated, either by drugs or alcohol. He admitted he sometimes supplied cocaine for his mates and footy players, as well as flying small amounts of booze into Aboriginal communities. But Mr Robinson denied being a 'drug dealer' while being questioned about a series of texts about his wild partying. Mr Wright's defence counsel David Edwardson accused Mr Robinson of 'sourcing and supplying' cocaine from 2018 to the time of the crash. Mr Edwardson read messages from the pilot's friends asking 'are you getting more coke?', 'Seb any chance you know where to get the good stuff?' and 'anyone got bags?'. In one message exchange, Mr Robinson told a friend he was 'crook as a dog', with his mate replying 'snorting too much coke out of Matty's arse?'. Mr Robinson said the friend knew Mr Wright. But the lawyer has said the reality star had a 'zero tolerance' approach to drugs. Under cross-examination, Mr Robinson was also grilled about a message sent to a mate in November 2019, saying there were 'footy players in town wanting bags' and other texts referring to 'zingers' and 'pills'. 'Are you implying I'm a drug dealer? … No,' Mr Robinson said. While Mr Robinson did not believe he was a trafficker, Justice Alan Blow explained: 'It is trafficking, even if you're not making any money for yourself.' Trace amounts of cocaine were detected in Mr Robinson's blood, which prosecutor Jason Gullaci said experts were likely to say was from use days before the crash. Mr Robinson admitted to flying in booze to remote communities, but said he did not sell the alcohol. He said 'on occasion' he would take a small amount of alcohol under the seat of his chopper for people in Arnhem Land. PILOT'S INJURIES Mr Robinson said his last memory from that fateful day was 'having a laugh' with his mate in the chopper. The jury was shown a photo of Mr Wilson piloting the Robinson R-44, with the image appearing to capture the fuel gauge between three-quarters and completely full mark. Mr Robinson said at that level, the helicopter should have been able to travel from Noonamah to King River and back. He became emotional as he shared his next memory – waking up in hospital, then being told his friend was dead and he would likely never walk again. Mr Robinson's spinal cord was completely severed, he had 12 broken ribs and puncturing in his lungs. His neck, elbow and both ankles were also fractured. He said he struggled with his memory due to a traumatic brain injury. NETFLIX STAR AN 'IDOL' Fellow helicopter pilot Jock Purcell told the jury he took official aviation records from Mr Robinson's home two days after the crash but could not recall who asked him to do it. He said he did not show the logbook to anyone or take photos of the official records, but was later asked by Mr Robinson to return the records. 'I took it home, and then Seb's brothers come and got it from my house,' Mr Purcell said. However, in a tapped telephone conversation between Mr Purcell and Mr Wright five months after the crash, the pair allegedly discussed Mr Robinson talking to investigators, the crashed chopper's maintenance release and Hobbs Meter, which records flight hours. 'Something had gone on with the Hobbs there, I dunno, they've moved it forward or some f***ing thing as well,' Mr Wright said. 'I'm just trying to think how much Sebby's, or what Sebby's tried to say to them, if anything even.' The pair then said some of that information could have been gathered from the maintenance release, which pilots fill out to record flight hours and service histories of helicopters. Three years after the bugged call, Mr Purcell told the court he was unsure if it was related to the crash investigation. Mr Purcell, who arrived at the crash scene, initially said he did not remember anyone approaching but then said the only thing removed were a few headsets. However, under cross examination, Mr Purcell said: 'I know someone lifted the dash of the helicopter.' Mr Purcell said he checked to see why the chopper might have gone down, and happened to notice the Hobbs Meter was connected. But Mr Gullaci alleged the sole purpose for Mr Purcell to look under the dash was to inspect this device 'because you knew there was a practice among Matt Wright's helicopters of the Hobbs Meter being disconnected'. 'And you wanted to see whether it was connected or not, for when investigators turned up to look at the crashed helicopter?' Mr Gullaci asked. Mr Purcell said he did not believe that was the case. When asked what else he could have been inspecting, the experienced pilot said: 'I'm not an investigator so I don't know.' However, Mr Purcell had already conceded there was a pattern of not recording flight hours, and had previously seen both Mr Wright and Mr Robinson disconnect the Hobbs Meter. He said there were times when the flight hour recorder was disconnected because 'it was getting close to service'. Mr Robinson also made full admissions to the jury of his own dodgy record keeping practices, which he said were common across the Territory helicopter industry. After almost a decade in the industry, Mr Robinson alleged he had worked for two other businesses which had similarly failed to properly record flight hours. Mr Robinson agreed he continued to 'break the rules' while working at Mr Wright's company. '(Mr Wright) would say 'pop the clock for this trip',' Mr Robinson alleged. He also said Mr Wright 'controlled all aspects of his aircraft regarding maintenance scheduling'. Mr Robinson said employees 'absolutely' followed Mr Wright's directions. 'We were young men, we looked up to him,' he said. 'Everyone looked at Matt as an idol. He'd say 'jump' and they'd say 'how high?' 'He had an aura about him. 'Everyone wanted to be around him, work for him, everyone bent over backwards to try and be a part of what he was doing.' The trial continues.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Anti-vaxxer mother who persuaded cancer-hit daughter to turn down conventional treatment interrupts inquest after the model died aged 23
An anti-vaxxer mother who has been blamed for her daughter's death from cancer after influencing her to refuse conventional cancer treatments appeared at her inquest today - and immediately doubled down on her controversial beliefs. Cambridge graduate and model Paloma Shemirani died last July after refusing medical assistance for her treatable non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. Paloma, 23, was the daughter of Kate Shemirani, a notorious anti-vaxxer who was struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for her extreme anti-medicine views, including discouraging the use of masks and vaccines during Covid. As an inquest into Paloma's death opened this morning, Mrs Shemirani joined the Coroner's court online - and immediately indicated she is apparently unrepentant on her outspoken opinions. Mrs Shemirani referred to her daughter's cancer as a 'purported diagnosis' as she argued with Coroner Catherine Wood about what evidence should be heard at the Kent inquest. Mrs Shemirani, wearing a lilac dress with white flowers with her blonde hair pinned up in a neat bun, repeatedly interrupted proceedings to make points. Despite initially having been given a positive prognosis that she could survive her condition, former Miss Brighton finalist Paloma died just seven months after her diagnosis after refusing help. Her two brothers and her former boyfriend have both since gone on record to claim Paloma had been coerced by her mother into refusing medical help - a claim their mother has denied. Paloma's twin brother Gabriel and former boyfriend Ander attended in person at Oakwood House in Maidstone. Today, Paloma's inquest heard from haematology consultant Dr Mohan who detailed how the young woman was diagnosed and how a treatment plan was created. The coroner's court heard that Paloma was first admitted to A&E on October 4 2023 with chest pain, a fever and a lump in the neck. She was then admitted on December 3 and was put forward for an emergency CT scan the next day. After a biopsy was also taken, Paloma was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma with a large mass being found near her sternum. While the consultant was asked about scans from radiology Mrs Shemirani shouted 'I'd like to object' to which the coroner told her she could not object to a witness statement. Dr Arunodaya Mohen said that as part of a standard treatment plan Paloma was advised to start six cycles of chemotherapy - each lasting 14 days. Steroids would also be provided, with radiotherapy and stents being considered later down the line. The doctor said side effects of the treatment, which could have been taken as an inpatient or outpatient, include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, changes to nails and the production of 'tumour lives' which can produce toxins and affect chemicals in the body. Dr Mohen added: 'Chemotherapy can affect fertility so we offered Paloma full fertility preservation before she went ahead with chemotherapy. 'We had a discussion regarding on fertility and we discussed a referral to a tertiary centre. And she was happy to go ahead with the fertility preservation and we discussed the pet scan. 'At that point I don't think I had any concerns [about her capacity]. We went through the management plan at that time and that's when we gave her the cure rate of 80 per cent during that conversation.' At this stage, Paloma's cancer was considered to be a stage one mass and due to her age and extent of the disease she had a good chance of survival. Her doctor said: 'She was very low risk and had an 80 per cent chance of survival which is an excellent cure rate.' After first meeting with Paloma on December 22nd, Dr Mohan had discussed treatment options and a potential PET scan with Paloma to which she is said to have nodded in agreement. Yet the next day Paloma appeared to have changed her mind and was exploring 'unconventional' treatment options. The consultant said she had been surprised when Paloma said that she would not be continuing treatment. Dr Mohan added: 'It was not expected that she was not going ahead with the treatment. 'She said she hadn't made up her mind yet and she might be cancelling her treatment. I can't remember what treatment that was in favour of but it wasn't a conventional treatment. 'She would not disclose why she was worried about the treatment but I did ask her and my team was worried that she might not undergo treatment.' Dr Mohan said she had only had one conversation with Paloma's mother over the phone and had not discussed Mrs Shemirani being Paloma's power of attorney. She said Mrs Shemirani had repeated Paloma's concerns about the side effects of steroids and said 'she wasn't happy with the Pet scan'. Dr Mohan added: 'I said we would ask Paloma what she wanted and if she decided this treatment I will go in that direction. 'We thought at the time she had full capacity in what was going on. I didn't even want to talk to mum as I didn't think it was helpful.' It's understood that Paloma's father Faramarz also believes in conspiracy theories, but is divorced and living separately to her mother. He did not attend today's hearing either online or in person. Gabriel and his brother Sebastian went public last month claiming their sister died because she refused conventional chemotherapy treatment. The brothers said that doctors gave Paloma an 80 per cent chance of survival but rejected the treatment because of pressure from her mother whom she had been trying to improve her relationship with. They claimed that Kate, whose real name is Kay, had sought to isolate her only daughter from her family, boyfriend and friends with Paloma even sending messages that she was being 'abused' by her mother. Her mother denies this. Kate, who describes herself as a 'natural nurse' to her 80,000 followers on Elon Musk's X, believes in 'Gerson therapy' - a belief that a vegan diet, natural juices, coffee enemas and supplements can cure cancer. Paloma had been following the Gerson therapy plan when she suffered a cardiac arrest while at her mother's house. She died a few days later when her life support was switched off at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. Ahead of the opening of the inquest today Gabriel and his older brother Sebastian, 26, are calling for the law to be changed to include conspiracy theories as a means of coercive control. They are calling for the change as they believe despite Paloma being an adult she was not in a position to refuse treatment due to coercion from her parents who both push conspiracy theories. Speaking ahead of the inquest, Sebastian, who splits his time between Hong Kong and Georgia told The Sunday Times: 'If someone is rejecting cancer treatment for non-terminal cancer, that is evidence that they are not making the right decisions.' The brothers are also calling for it to be made illegal that unqualified or unregistered people call themselves 'doctors or nurses'. The inquest continues.
Telegraph
26-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Anti-vaxxer mother hits back at claims she caused daughter's death
An anti-vaxxer mother has hit back at claims she caused her daughter's death from cancer. Paloma Shemirani died last year at the age of 23 after refusing chemotherapy, despite having been told by doctors she had a high chance of survival if she accepted the treatment. Her brothers Gabriel and Sebastian Shemirani blame their sister's death on the anti-medicine views of their mother, Kate Shemirani, for which she was struck off the nursing register in 2021. They said previously: 'My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs and I don't want anyone else to go through the same pain or loss that I have.' But Mrs Shemirani has denied responsibility and insisted her daughter was never formally diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a statement issued with Dr Faramarz Shemirani, her husband, she said: 'This is state-sponsored propaganda designed to silence the truth of what happened to our daughter and reframe a preventable death as parental misconduct – despite overwhelming legal, medical and forensic documentation to the contrary.' She added: 'Paloma was never 'coerced'. She was never 'radicalised'. She was a woman of conviction and clarity.' Ms Shemirani began to have chest pains and breathing difficulties not long after graduating in 2023. She and Ander Harris, her then-boyfriend, went to Maidstone Hospital, Kent, where doctors diagnosed her with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Medics told her she had an 80 per cent chance of recovering from the cancer, which can kill if left untreated, if she undertook chemotherapy. Mrs Shemirani texted her daughter's boyfriend to say he should tell her to refuse chemotherapy or any treatment, according to the BBC. Mrs Shemirani was an NHS nurse in the 1980s and calls herself 'the Natural Nurse' on social media. She rose to online prominence during the pandemic, where she claimed Covid was a hoax and that vaccines were part of a plan to kill many people. In some posts, she claimed treating cancer with chemotherapy was 'ill-informed' and akin to pouring mustard gas into people's veins. She sells apricot kernels for their 'potential health benefits' along with nutritional supplements, and offers information and advice on her website. She charges around £70 for an annual membership to her site, while patients – including those with cancer – pay £195 for a consultation and personalised 12-week programme. An inquest into Ms Shemirani's death will begin next month.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Daughter of anti-vaxxer nurse died of blood cancer after refusing treatment following mums advice, say brothers
THE daughter of an anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorist nurse died of blood cancer after listening to her and refusing treatment, her brothers claim. Cambridge graduate Paloma Shemirani, 23, died last year after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Miss Brighton finalist refused chemo despite doctors saying it would give her an 80 per cent chance of survival. Instead, she listened to her mum Kate, 60, who was struck off the UK's nursing register in 2021 for discouraging masks and Covid vaccines. She claimed the Covid virus was linked to the roll-out of 5G technology, and a political tool to gain access to and change people's DNA. Brothers Gabriel and Sebastian said she might still be alive if she had not caved in to pressure. Sebastian told the BBC: 'My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs.' Kate, now 60, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 and had the tumour removed through surgery, undergoing a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. But online, she appears to suggest she was healed following 'Gerson therapy' - a baseless form of alternative medicine. Mrs Shemirani has not commented on the claim. Anti-vaxxer parents 'murdered' eight-year-old daughter after 'stopping life-saving medication & PRAYED instead' 2
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Pregnant cop who had clumps of hair ripped from her scalp by a notorious anti-vaxxer breaks her silence
A female police officer who had hair torn from her scalp by an anti-vaxxer while she was 10 weeks pregnant has broken her silence over the horrific attack. South Australian Senior Constable Anthea Beck told 9News how Raina Cruise attacked without warning outside the Exeter Hotel in October 2021. 'She just reached out, knocked the hat off my head, grabbed a handful of hair and just dropped to the ground,' she said. Cruise, who describes herself as a naturopath and homeopath, had earlier assaulted two security guards at the pub on Adelaide 's Rundle Street. The mother-of-four was heavily intoxicated and had attended a freedom rally earlier in the day but was booted from the venue over a row about mask mandates. She admitted to grabbing one security guard by the windpipe and punching him in the throat. She punched the other security guard around the head. Cruise and two men she left the pub with were stopped by Beck and another police officer tasked with investigating the assaults on the security guards. Prosecutors said Cruise compared the police to Nazi Germany before she 'latched onto Constable Beck' and dragged her to the ground. The entire incident was captured on officers' bodycam footage. A court was told Cruise yanked at Constable Beck's hair and smashed the cop's head on the pavement as she yelled: 'I will smash you one-on-one, b***h.' Beck initially worried the the attack might have impacted her unborn child. The anti-vax mum-of-four initially avoided jail and was given a two-year suspended sentence after she was found guilty of the assault. The Police Association asked the attorney-general to appeal and earlier this month Cruise was re-sentenced and handed three years and nine months behind bars. 'The suspended sentence was not in line with societal expectations of what happens when you assault police,' Beck said. Beck said she felt 'relief and satisfaction' knowing Cruise was behind bars and said it sent a message to the community 'that if you assault an emergency worker, that you can expect a custodial sentence'. She described her job as a policewoman as an 'an ongoing journey'. 'Being a police officer obviously has its ups and downs, and this is just a down of (an) otherwise very fulfilling career,' she said.
