A new documentary, "A Toxic Love Story," available on Netflix, explores the complex case of Ian Diaz, a former deputy U.S. marshal, and his wife, Angela Diaz, who were convicted of orchestrating a harassment campaign against Diaz's ex-wife, Michelle Hadley.
The couple falsely accused Hadley of stalking and harassment, creating anonymous emails and online advertisements that they claimed were from her. They alleged that Hadley was using religious language and referencing biblical figures, such as Lilith, in communications directed at Ian Diaz. These communications, they claimed, were consistent with Hadley's past writings.
In July of an unspecified year, Angela Diaz reported to the police that Hadley had posted photos of her in online ads soliciting sexual acts, claiming it was to fulfill a fantasy. Angela Diaz stated that men had come to her home in response to these ads and that she had been the target of an attempted assault in her garage. These accusations led to Hadley's arrest on felony charges, including stalking and attempted rape.
Hadley spent nearly three months in jail before authorities discovered that she was not involved in the harassment. An investigation tracing the IP address used for the online communications revealed that all the emails and advertisements originated from the Diazs' home. This evidence exonerated Hadley and pointed to Ian and Angela Diaz as the perpetrators.
In 2023, Ian Diaz was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in framing Hadley. The prosecution argued that Diaz intended to make it appear as though Hadley was planning to harm his then-wife, Angela. Angela Diaz was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017, after authorities connected her to the framing scheme.
Neither Ian nor Angela Diaz participated in the documentary "A Toxic Love Story," which recounts the events leading to the exposure of their plot.