Unbelievable Twist: Where is Con Mum Dionne Hornigold Hiding Now?

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Netflix has recently released a new documentary titled “Con Mum” which delves into the mysterious stranger-than-fiction story of Graham Hornigold and his mother, Dionne.

Following the debut of The Tinder Swindler, there’s been a noticeable surge in true crime series centered around scammers. In fact, over the last year, streaming platforms like Netflix have premiered titles such as Dirty Pop: The Boy Band Scam, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Sweet Bobby, among others.

Currently, let’s shift our attention to Graham Hornigold, a renowned British pastry chef. In 2020, he experienced the fulfillment of a long-held dream when his estranged mother Dionne was reunited with him. However, this joyful reunion took an unexpected turn into a harrowing ordeal.

Now that “Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes” is available on your streaming platform, let me share an update about Dionne Hornigold, previously known as Theresa Mahamud. Please be advised if you’re not acquainted with the case, there may be spoilers ahead.

Where Con Mum Dionne Hornigold is now

Following the unmasking of Dionne as a fraud by Graham and his former wife Heather Kaniuk, she returned to Asia at the conclusion of the Netflix documentary. Since then, there has been no new information regarding her location, with Malaysia being the last known place where she was born.

As I delved deeper into this captivating documentary, I couldn’t help but notice the absence of Dionne’s perspective. It’s essential to mention that she hasn’t been charged criminally regarding the claims made in this film. Given her age, which is roughly 85, it’s quite possible that she’s navigating life’s complexities at a pace different from mine.

The accusations originate from many people who allege they were deceived by Dionne. Essentially, she operated a type of fraud known as a Ponzi scheme, which involves paying returns to initial investors using money collected from later ones.

In 2020, Dionne initiated contact with Graham by introducing herself as a self-made billionaire entrepreneur and asserting that she was the secret offspring of the ex-Sultan of Brunei.

Although Graham was overjoyed at his mother’s return in his life, he was heartbroken upon learning that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was told she only had six months left to live.

Initially, upon their first encounter, she splurged on luxury cars for Graham and Heather, booked lavish five-star accommodations, and even escorted her son to Switzerland to establish a trust fund. Unbeknownst to them, it was money that Dionne was rumored to have swindled from others.

Eventually, she began requesting Graham to pay off substantial expenses she had accumulated, which ultimately led him into a £300,000 debt. Similar predicaments faced other individuals due to Dionne’s actions, prompting some victims to speak out on Con Mum about their experiences.

Even though no criminal charges have been brought against her regarding these accusations, she has previously been taken into custody.

Following some investigation, it was discovered that in 1982, at the age of 42, Dionne was apprehended for defrauding people out of money and jewelry, and admitted guilt for this crime on four separate occasions.

Back in 1980, I was caught red-handed committing shoplifting three times, a fact reported in another article. Later that same year, I was handed an 18-month prison sentence, but it was suspended for two years, after I confessed to charges of deceitfully acquiring property. This happened after admitting offenses of obtaining property by deception.

In addition, they found out that Dionne was previously married on three occasions, one of them being to Graham’s father. Interestingly, on every marriage certificate, her name, birthdate, and father’s details varied.

According to Graham, he had always wondered about his mother’s identity. Now, he understands who she truly is, and that’s who she’s been throughout her entire life. He was taken aback, discovering that the experienced professional he encountered just happened to be his own mother.

It turned out that Dionne didn’t actually have cancer, as Graham discovered from finding red food dye in her possessions – a trick she used to simulate blood in her urine. This raises the question: could it be possible that she lied about being his mother?

Is Dionne Graham’s biological mother?

As the story of Con Mum reaches its climax, it’s unveiled that Graham’s DNA test findings indicate a staggering 99.9% likelihood that Dionne is his true biological mother.

Considering Dionne’s history, it wouldn’t be unexpected if her claims about being Graham’s mother were questionable. Additionally, the fact that she initially declined a DNA test upon their first encounter only adds to the doubt about their true relationship.

Graham’s early life began in Germany, where he spent only a brief period. For the following two years, he found care elsewhere. Later, his upbringing took place under the guidance of his stepmother and a harsh father, both residing in the United Kingdom.

In the Netflix documentary, he mentions, “I hadn’t met my mother. My father rarely discussed her.” Instead, he often daydreamed about what kind of person she could have been. Simultaneously, Heather notes that Graham yearned for affection and love.

In the midst of the pandemic’s arrival, a long-lost connection was reignited when he received an unexpected message from Dionne proposing a reunion. However, as events unfolded, it became clear that Dionne had exploited his weaknesses to control him.

When Heather approached the police, they explained that since Dionne is Graham’s mother, the situation wouldn’t be considered fraud. Eventually, Graham persisted in requesting a DNA test, to which she eventually consented.

It took everyone by surprise when it returned in the same form as its original. As Graham puts it, “This is the most baffling aspect,” he said. “What made you take such an action against your own child?”

In this version, I’ve tried to make the sentence more conversational and easier to read by using simpler words and phrasing while maintaining the original meaning.

Around the same period as the DNA test, it was nearly the last encounter Graham had with Dionne. Exactly one year afterward, they had their final video call via FaceTime. During this call, Dionne expressed her continued affection for him, and mentioned that she was currently residing in Malaysia.

She apologizes sincerely, saying “I’m truly sorry about what transpired.” In response, Graham acknowledges the impact, stating, “Yes, it was quite a transformative experience, mom.

Dionne goes on to say, “It’s okay, but I must apologize sincerely. I can’t alter what I’ve already done. Regrettably, I can’t change, my son.

In pondering the reason behind her choice to enter his life at that specific moment, Graham concluded that it boiled down to coincidence or circumstances.

He tells us that when he initially encountered his mother, she already possessed a high-quality round-trip airline ticket. She had traveled to the United Kingdom before the lockdown through Bangkok using this ticket earlier.

It wasn’t clear to me then, but she was supposed to return two weeks after the lockdown began. Thus, it seems that without the lockdown, our paths likely wouldn’t have crossed.

In simpler terms, “She was dishonest, with no tourists visiting temporarily. Rich families or not, there were no viable ways to earn a living. So, what can one do? They turn to the internet and find their child.

Is Graham Hornigold still in debt?

According to Con Mum, Dionne’s departure resulted in Graham accumulating approximately £300,000 in debts. Despite this financial burden, he manages to run his own culinary business and owns a home.

During an interview with The Guardian, Graham expressed his resolve to ensure his son’s circumstances don’t affect him negatively. The publication added that although he’s dealing with significant debts, he maintains both his business and a home.

As for my son, I’ll ensure that this situation doesn’t prevent our bonding time together, meaning I won’t let his father’s absence hinder our relationship. Instead, I plan to play a significant role in his life. (Graham’s words)

Initially, when Dionne initially contacted Graham, he was contentedly involved with Heather. They soon found themselves expecting a child together. However, things took a turn for the worse as Dionne started exerting more influence over her son.

Following her delivery, Dionne escorted Graham to Switzerland where she discovered means to prolong his stay for several months. Eventually, he managed to return home for Christmas, yet during that duration, she conveyed messages suggesting her worsening health, which left Graham in a state of emotional conflict.

Initially, Heather planned to visit New Zealand as a family, so her parents could meet their son; however, Dionne persuaded Graham against going. Consequently, Heather ended up traveling to New Zealand on her own. After various events transpired, Heather chose to remain in New Zealand with their child, thereby leaving Graham behind in the UK.

The Guardian said he now “video chats with his son and plans to visit as soon as he can afford to.”

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2025-03-26 14:50