Viewers were captivated on January 6 by the unfolding story of Natalia Grace in the documentary series, The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter.
In the episode titled "The Rescue," the scene opens with shaky footage of Natalia arriving at her family’s Nashville church for a midnight service shortly before Christmas 2023. She is seen getting into a van driven by her friend, Nicole DePaul, and Nicole’s daughter, Mackenzie. They drive Natalia away from her adoptive parents, Antwon and Cynthia Mans, whom Nicole accuses of mistreating her. However, Natalia refrains from supporting those accusations.
As they drive away, an anxious Natalia expresses her concern. "My mom has no idea what’s happening," she says, worried about how her parents might react. "I’m freaking out. My dad is going to lose it!"
Throughout the night, Cynthia tries desperately to reach Natalia, sending a flurry of texts and phone calls. Nicole becomes increasingly anxious, fearing how the Manses might respond to Natalia’s sudden departure.
This marks the beginning of Natalia’s new life with the DePaul family. They support her dreams of independence, and she enjoys newfound freedom. "She’s been so happy with the independence she has," Nicole says as they settle into their upstate New York home.
However, tensions arise regarding finances. Natalia assures Cynthia that she will still collect her Social Security benefits but soon realizes that her money is being funneled to Cynthia’s account.
Nicole voices her frustration, "I feel like they’re robbing her. Why is she still giving them her money when she just escaped from them?"
Despite the issues, Natalia refuses to speak ill of her adoptive parents, stating, "We went through tough times but it brought us closer together as a family. I love my parents and have faith in them."
As the conversation shifts, Natalia remains cautious about discussing the Manses’ treatment of her. Meanwhile, several individuals express their worries about the family’s behavior, including Robert Madewell, whose child was once babysat by the Manses. He makes shocking accusations against them.
Madewell describes the Mans family as deceptive, revealing that beneath their religious facade, there were serious issues, including drunkenness and potential cult-like behavior. He shares alarming claims of abuse within the household, citing experiences from his son, who recalls distressing moments with Cynthia.
In response to the mounting accusations, Cynthia vehemently denies any wrongdoing, labeling the claims as false and twisted. Yet, other former housemates and neighbors provide troubling accounts, suggesting that violence may have occurred within the home.
As Natalia is asked about past abuse, she is hesitant, firmly stating, "I do not want to talk about that."
The episode leaves viewers with many questions and dramatic tension, setting the stage for more revelations in the series. The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter continues with Part 2 on January 7 on Investigation Discovery and streams on Max.
