“It’s Hard to Remember Which Parts of Your Past You Can Discuss”
When the individuals responsible for the murder of James Bulger are released, they will receive new identities. However, escaping the past and starting anew is far from simple. Living with a new identity involves complex psychological, legal, and social challenges. Through the experiences of those who have attempted to live in the shadows, we gain insight into the reality of adopting a new identity.
The Psychological Burden of a New Identity
“After a while, it can be hard to remember which parts of your past you can talk about,” said “Peter,” who has lived under a new identity for several years. “When you meet someone new and like them, you want to tell them about yourself, but you can’t.” This struggle is a common thread among those who assume new identities. The challenge lies in creating and maintaining a new persona over years or even decades. The constant pressure to hide aspects of one’s true self often leads to severe psychological strain, including anxiety, depression, and isolation.
The Impact on Personal Relationships
One of the most profound challenges of living with a new identity is the impact on personal relationships. Individuals must carefully navigate interactions with new acquaintances, friends, and romantic partners. They are constantly aware of the risk of revealing too much. The fear of being discovered often prevents deep connections, leaving individuals isolated and disconnected. For example, a person may avoid discussing childhood memories, family traditions, or past experiences, making it challenging to form genuine bonds. Over time, this emotional distancing leads to loneliness and despair as the individual struggles to reconcile their true identity with the persona they have adopted.
The Strain of Living a Lie
Maintaining a new identity requires an individual to live a life daily. This takes a significant toll on mental health. Constantly fabricating details about one’s past and avoiding slip-ups creates tension. Sometimes, the psychological burden becomes overwhelming, leading individuals to retreat from social life altogether. Monitoring one’s words and actions to ensure consistency with the new identity can be exhausting. The fear of exposure adds to the stress, often resulting in a loss of self-identity as the individual becomes more distanced from their original self.
Historical Cases of New Identities
Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker
Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker, two teenage New Zealand girls, were found guilty of killing Pauline’s mother in Christchurch in 1954. This case shares similarities with that of Venables and Thompson. Pauline, who was 16 at the time, had tried to kill herself because she didn’t want to be apart from her friend Juliet, who was 15. Juliet was returning to England, but Pauline’s parents forbade her from seeing Juliet.
When they were finally freed after five and a half years, they moved to Britain. If not for the 1994 movie Heavenly Creatures, which told their story, they might have lived quiet lives in the shadows with their new identities. Juliet Hulme eventually became the successful historical mystery writer Anne Perry, living in a village near Inverness. Three years later, Pauline Parker, now known as Hilary Nathan, had her secret revealed in a town in Kent. She had become a teacher for disabled children.
Both women supported themselves and made new friends without raising red flags. They might have never been found if it weren’t for the movie. Unlike Thompson and Venables, they didn’t have a court order to protect them from the media.
Changes in Legal Protections: The Human Rights Act and Mary Bell
Before the Human Rights Act was enacted in October of the previous year, courts couldn’t issue an injunction to protect an adult in this way. This legal development included Mary Bell, another infamous child killer, to protect her daughter’s identity, who was made a ward of the court. Bell was 12 years old when she was found guilty of killing two little boys in 1968. She was set free in 1980 and made a new life for herself with the help of the probation service.
When she had a daughter in 1984, the Northumbria County Council obtained an injunction from the high court to hide the child’s identity. However, someone leaked the news of the birth and Bell’s new name to the News of the World. It wasn’t until many years later, after Gitta Sereny’s book Cries Unheard emerged in 1998, that the press finally outed her.
The Case of Peter Sutcliffe
Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, is another well-known case involving a new identity. After his conviction, discussions arose about providing him with a new identity upon release. However, the high-profile nature of his crimes and intense media interest made this proposition highly controversial. The case illustrates the difficulties in balancing public safety, media scrutiny, and the rights of individuals who have served their sentences. Even considering offering a new identity to such a notorious figure sparked a national debate about the ethics and practicality of such measures.
The Strain of Maintaining a New Identity
The Case of Maurice O’Mahoney
Mary Bell may have made a mistake when she helped write a book that brought new attention to her case. Some people with new names grow tired of living in the shadows. In 1974, bank robber Maurice O’Mahoney secured his release from a lengthy sentence by turning informant.
He received a new identity but later contacted The Guardian, saying the easy life was over. “They told me to go out and look for work. Bank robbery is the only thing I know how to do. I’m in a terrible place. I could cry if I went around the corner.”
O’Mahoney, who changed his name to Peter Davies, found employment as a security guard at significant events, including David Bowie and Rick Wakeman tours. Despite his new life and grey ponytail, the threat of old enemies seeking revenge loomed. He managed to stay under the radar until he was arrested for robbery. He was found not guilty, claiming the police had set him up.
The Life of Darren Nicholls
Another informant, Darren Nicholls, disappeared in the spring of 1996 after agreeing to testify against the men convicted of killing three criminals in a Range Rover on a country lane near Rettendon, Essex. Later, he expressed dissatisfaction with his new identity. “My little boy keeps asking, ‘Why can’t we have our old name back? Why can’t we go to Essex again?’ He will want to get married someday. He will want to know why he doesn’t have a birth certificate. And when he finds out his dad’s grass, he’ll probably end up hating me too.”
The Challenges of Living Under a New Identity
The Difficulties of Small Towns
People often think small towns are the best hiding places, but this isn’t always true. In big cities, people are less likely to know each other, while small towns often come with closer-knit, nosier communities. The best advice remains to hide in plain sight. However, Britain’s current culture of “snitching” complicates living under a new name. Vitaly Vitaliev, a Russian journalist and author, has remarked that the British tabloid press is likely better at finding people than the KGB.
The Role of Media and Public Curiosity
A culture of information-sharing and the mistaken belief that selling information, such as the whereabouts of a pop star or the activities of a football player, can yield significant financial gain contributes to the challenge. Even though the media cannot identify Venables and Thompson in England and Wales, they are not safe from exposure on the internet. While stopping newspapers and TV stations with easy-to-find assets might be possible, policing the internet is almost impossible.
In recent years, social media has further complicated the lives of those living under new identities. A photograph, comment, or connection can unravel years of careful concealment. The ease with which information spreads online makes it increasingly difficult to maintain anonymity. Even the smallest detail can go viral and lead to exposure. Additionally, the public’s insatiable curiosity about high-profile cases drives individuals to share any information they come across, often without considering the consequences for the people involved.
The Reality of a New Identity
Thousands of people have successfully changed their identities and quietly vanished from sight for good. However, it’s not an easy process. Living with a new identity involves significant psychological and practical challenges. Here’s a detailed look at what it entails:
The Psychological Strain
The psychological burden of maintaining a new identity can be overwhelming. Individuals must constantly monitor their speech and behaviour to avoid revealing their past. This leads to isolation and stress, as they cannot form deep connections with new acquaintances. The fear of being discovered always looms, adding to the mental strain.
Over time, the pressure of living a lie erodes an individual’s sense of self. Constantly suppressing one’s true identity and adopting a false persona leads to a fragmented sense of identity. The individual feels disconnected from their past and uncertain about their future. This internal conflict often manifests in various ways, including depression, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of loneliness. For some, the strain becomes too much to bear. They abandon their new identity and risk exposure rather than continue living a life of deception.
Practical Considerations
Practically, adopting a new identity involves more than just changing a name. It requires a comprehensive backstory that must be consistent and believable. This includes creating fake documents, such as birth certificates and educational records, which must withstand scrutiny. Individuals must also adapt to new social norms and customs, which can be challenging and require significant effort and learning.
Creating a new identity is complex and requires meticulous attention to detail. Everything from the individual’s accent and mannerisms to their knowledge of local culture and history must align with the new persona. This often involves extensive preparation, including studying the region’s history, adopting new habits, and altering one’s appearance to avoid recognition. The individual must also navigate the practical challenges of living under a new identity, such as obtaining employment, securing housing, and establishing social connections, all while maintaining the facade of their new persona.
Historical Cases and Their Lessons
Anne Perry and Pauline Parker
The stories of Anne Perry (formerly Juliet Hulme) and Pauline Parker (Hilary Nathan) provide valuable lessons. Despite successfully assuming new identities, they were eventually discovered. This underscores the difficulty of living with a new identity and the potential for eventual exposure, especially when their stories became public knowledge through media like the film Heavenly Creatures.
Mary Bell
Mary Bell’s experience highlights the role of legal protections and the media in maintaining a new identity. Despite legal efforts to protect her and her daughter’s identities, media exposure revealed her new life. This case illustrates the persistent risk of discovery, even with legal safeguards in place.
The Case of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson
The case of Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were convicted of the murder of James Bulger, offers a contemporary example of the complexities surrounding new identities. Both received new identities upon their release from juvenile detention. However, the intense media scrutiny and public interest in their whereabouts made it difficult for them to live everyday lives. Venables, in particular, struggled to maintain his new identity, having been convicted of various offences under his new name, which ultimately led to his re-incarceration.
This case highlights the difficulties of providing new identities to individuals who have committed heinous crimes. The public’s desire for justice and accountability often clashes with the legal system’s efforts to rehabilitate and protect these individuals. The case also underscores the limitations of legal protections in an age where information is easily accessible and widely shared.
Living Under a New Identity Today
The challenges of maintaining a new identity have increased in today’s digital age. The pervasive nature of social media and online databases makes tracing easier for individuals. Here are some strategies for those living under a new identity:
Legal Strategies
- Injunctions and Legal Protections: Seek legal protections, such as injunctions, to prevent the publication of your new identity. These legal measures can provide some level of security, although they are not foolproof.
- Regular Legal Advice: Regular consultations with legal experts help navigate the complexities of maintaining a new identity. They assist in adapting to any law changes that might affect your status.
Practical Measures
- Digital Hygiene: Maintain rigorous digital hygiene by minimizing your online presence and using secure, encrypted communication methods. Avoid social media and online platforms that require personal information.
- Consistent Backstory: Develop and consistently maintain a detailed backstory. Ensure all documentation supports this narrative and rehearse it until it becomes second nature.
- Relocation and Integration: Choose locations where you can blend in easily. Big cities often provide anonymity due to their large populations. However, small, close-knit communities can be effective if you integrate seamlessly and avoid drawing attention.
Psychological Support
- Counselling and Therapy: Engage in regular counselling or therapy to manage the psychological burden of living under a new identity. Mental health professionals provide strategies for coping with stress, anxiety, and isolation.
- Support Networks: Establish connections with support networks through government programs or discreet online communities. These networks allow individuals living under new identities to share experiences and advice.
The Role of Government Assistance
Governments sometimes assist individuals needing new identities, especially those in witness protection programs. This assistance includes creating new documents, providing financial support, and offering guidance on maintaining the new identity. However, this support can have challenges, such as restrictions on movement and activities to ensure safety.
Witness Protection Programs
Witness protection programs are perhaps the most well-known example of government-assisted identity changes. These programs provide individuals who testify against dangerous criminals with new identities and relocation to protect them from retaliation. However, the individuals in these programs must adhere to strict rules, such as avoiding contact with anyone from their past and living under constant supervision. While these measures are designed to ensure safety, they can also lead to feelings of confinement and a loss of personal freedom.
Challenges in Providing New Identities
Providing new identities to individuals is a complex process that requires careful planning and coordination between various government agencies. The process often involves creating fictitious new identities or borrowing the identities of deceased individuals. This must be done with extreme caution to avoid legal complications. Additionally, the government must provide ongoing support to ensure individuals can maintain their new identity without drawing attention.
Conclusion
Living with a new identity is fraught with challenges, both psychological and practical. The stories of Anne Perry, Pauline Parker, and Mary Bell highlight the complexities and potential pitfalls of maintaining a new identity. Despite the difficulties, thousands have successfully adopted new identities and vanished from sight. However, the digital age has made this process more challenging, requiring meticulous planning and constant vigilance.
Legal protections, practical measures, and sometimes government assistance are crucial for those seeking to live under a new identity. As society continues to evolve, so will the strategies and challenges associated with living in the dark.
If you would like to work with a professional team that can help make your transition to a life of freedom, contact Amicus International for New Identity services today.
