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“It’s Hard to Remember Which Parts of Your Past You Can Discuss”
The people who killed James Bulger will be given new identities when they are freed.
But it’s not as easy as it might seem to get out of sight. As Duncan Campbell explains, living with a new identity involves a complex blend of challenges while delving into the lives of those who have attempted to live in the dark.
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.” “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 is creating a new persona and consistently maintaining the facade over years or even decades.
Historical Cases of New Identities
Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker
The case of two teenage New Zealand girls, Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker, who were found guilty of killing Pauline’s mother in Christchurch in 1954, shares similarities with the case 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. It turned out that Juliet Hulme had become the successful historical mystery writer Anne Perry, living in a village near Inverness.
Three years later, in a town in Kent, Pauline Parker, now known as Hilary Nathan, had her secret revealed. She had become a teacher for children with support needs.
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, a court order did not 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, the courts couldn’t issue an injunction to protect an adult in this way. The request 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 she was finally outed in the press.
The Strain of Maintaining a New Identity
The Case of Maurice O’Mahoney
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 was given a new identity but later contacted the Guardian, saying that 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. Too many people know each other in big cities, and people in small towns tend to be noisier. The best advice remains to hide in plain sight. The current culture of “snitching” in Britain 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.
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 can lead 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.
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.
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.
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 can help navigate the complexities of maintaining a new identity and 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, but small, close-knit communities can also be effective if you integrate seamlessly and avoid drawing attention.
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 come with its challenges, such as restrictions on movement and activities to ensure safety.
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 Int. for New Identity services today.
