go to MSN.com
College Football  >>  Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Miami-marlins-spitball-570x305
Marlins pitcher Alex Sanabia spits all over the baseball
Chapman
Pastries to blame for Aroldis Chapman's blown save?
Imgres
Red Sox watched 'The Sandlot' while waiting for rain delay to end
Bradbrad
Beal: Derrick Rose is scared
Conan
Fashion at NBA pressers spoofed on Conan

Woman in Te'o girlfriend photographs identified

Found January 18, 2013 on Lost Lettermen: Yardbarker Blogger Network
PLAYERS: Manti Te'o
TEAMS:

Via Lost Lettermen:

Two days after the Manti Te’o fake dead girlfriend scandal blew up into the nation’s most-talked about story, the girl pictured as the made-up Lennay Kekua has been identified.

The New York Post ran the story on its front page Friday with the headline, “She Lives!”, identifying 23-year-old Diane O’Meara of Torrance, CA, outside Los Angeles as the woman in question. O’Meara is reportedly a former high school classmate of Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, who is believed to be the culprit behind the hoax that used pictures of O’Meara on the internet to either dupe Te’o or work with him to create the hoax.

“Somebody stole her identity,” a relative named Olga Volkov told The Post. “[O’Meara’s family] found out about it yesterday. They were shocked.”

That is certainly an understatement.

According to what appears to be her LinkedIn profile, O’Meara attended Cal State Long Beach and is now a marketing coordinator at STN Media Group based in Torrance. She is also apparently on Twitter, although her account is protected. Her description reads, “most driven person you’ll meet, literally. diaries of a commuting queen.”

Maybe she should add “The ghost of Lennay Kekua” to that.

Certainly, there will be many more details to come about this woman whose life has been turned upside down by a scandal she apparently had no involvement in.

(video via CBS Local Los Angeles)

More from Lost Lettermen:
Original Story: http://www.lostlettermen.com/manti-te... Verified_ybn
50 Comments:
  • T'eo lied, Lance Armstrong cheated and lied. We set these people up as idols so we create this nonsense.
    by lainie   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • exactly right!!
    by beverly7870   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • WOW!! Really??
    by Rewill251   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Who said T'eo lied. You are just as bad as the repoters. No body said he was part of just the repoters. Everybody should give it arest. What you folks should do is kick Tulasopo in a**
    and as for Lance Armstrong. He is getting what he should. Left his first wife after she took care of him when he had cancer.
    by myopinon   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • First off, the evidence of his lying is overwhelming, even if we buy his story that he "found out the truth" on Dec 6. Second, it's Tuiasosopo. The least you can do is spell it right. If you find the news coverage so biased, stop reading about it.
    by Agdoc12   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Exactly. Rather convenient that he "found out" about it right before the Heisman winner was selected but didn't go public with anything until now. He was counting on the Heisman voters casting their ballots based solely on emotion, but he failed... and for good reason. The Heisman isn't about what goes on off the field but rather what happens on it. He had a mediocre year and never should have been in the running for the Heisman in the first place.
    by _pro2A_   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • You got that right! And to think he took a spot that should have been given to Clowney...
    by Skylarsports   January 19, 2013   Reply    
  • you are soo right!
    by ericasl   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • i remember his grandma died the same time his suposebly girlfreind knowing this and being told his girlfreind had died too may have been some trauma as disbeleif people need to step back and and see the trauma and sorrow he was going through at that time would you beleive if it were u that someone knowing that his grandma had died and knowing how weak and traumatised he was over his grand ma would suspect someone you knew or even loved would do this to you and lie oh by the way your girlfreind died also don,t seem like the persom ive seen over and over again on tv i think he,s pretty straight up guy said what was told to him and that,s it beleive it or not don,t need to investgate his character news sucks back off and g0 home
    by DriverD   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Armstrong lied about blood doping which led to 7 titles and millions of dollars... T'eo lied about "what"...which led to "what?..."
    by Pachabeloo   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Armstrong lied and got 7 titles and millions in endorsements....if T'eo lied...he received..."what.?"
    by Pachabeloo   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Let's be clear on this......

    WHO CARES!!!!!!!!
    by gds32060   January 18, 2013   Reply     +1 Likes
  • You, obviously. You read the story and then posted a comment.
    by jmctexas   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • If you don't care, stop reading about it.
    by Agdoc12   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • There is enough ignorance and blame to go around for everyone. At the end of the day it hurts Manti the most; going into the draft it raises too many questions and should spook teams. If his stock doesn't drop appreciably I will be shocked. He's either too big of a gullible fool, a liar or both. Anyway you slice and dice it, it will cost him big time. And quite frankly ... it should.
    by Legend67   January 18, 2013   Reply     +1 Likes
  • WHOOOOOOO CARESSSSS??????
    by Hookm49   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • If you don't care about it, stop reading about it.
    by Agdoc12   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • what did he gain? what laws did he brake? then leave it alone there are way bigger stories around the world then some guy in collage that lied about a girlfriend big deal report on some real news
    by adamh78   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • brake? collage?
    by jmctexas   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Clearly, he comments about that which he has yet to experience himself.
    by Agdoc12   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • What did he gain? Press attention he didn't deserve, a ride on the hype machine straight to a boatload of awards that could and should have gone to more deserving players, Heisman mention that he didn't deserve and elevated status in the pro draft--although that is rapidly evaporating, I suspect. Ask the players who got cheated out of recognition how they feel. Ask the ND fans who have been blindsided how they feel. As for crimes, the early reports stated a charity was set up in his "dead girlfriends" memory and donations accepted. Where's the money? If it was misappropriated, somebody is going to be facing criminal charges. Even discounting that, is it okay to lie your butt off as long as you don't commit a crime? Ask Jim Tressel if he agrees with you. Or Bobby Petrino. Or the good folks at Penn State who covered up Sandusky's activities. Lying--even by omission--on this scale is not "harmless" and it has consequences.
    by Agdoc12   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • If you want to see and hear REAL, ABSOLUTE PROFESSIONAL LIERS, who get paid to do it AND then tell their audience another lie to cover up the original lie, THEN expect the audience (and many, many of them (audience)) to trust their "untruths"....JUST READ THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NEWSPAPERS EVERYDAY ABOUT WASHINGTON D.C. from WHITEHOUSE to CONGRESS and sometimes even the SUPREME COURT (especially at confirmation hearings)!!! AMEN!!!! and we are still here!!!(SO FAR)???
    by ajoseph   January 18, 2013   Reply    

  • Wouldn't it be sweet if we could put these "media jackazzes" who write these stories through the same ringer and give them the taste of lives they destroy??
    by sarah1   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Diane O’Meara is Irish enough for Notre Dame but not close enough for Polynesian but it works. I knew Te'o got buffaloed since I live on the islands and know Polynesian college kids both on Oahu and those that go to the mainland. They are not the type to get involved in criminal situations.
    by JELLOW   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I think she is his girlfriend or WAS Notre Dame did not win the BCS go figure
    by EdmontonAB   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I know this woman. Her fake twin sister dated my imaginary freind last year.
    by PoseidonsSon   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Another reason not to have Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn accounts. The media can find out too much information about you much too quickly.
    by CORavensFan   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • He better off with mrs doubtfire he might have better luck with her
    by mrlouie   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • The funniest part of this whole article is the back page of the Post. The Knicks getting some attention lol!
    by sammymac   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Maybe Te'o can prove he loves her from seeing her photos and
    giving himself pleasure and she'll fall for him and become a WAG.
    by Cabowaboman   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • WELL NO, HE HASN'T BROKEN ANY LAWS. HOWEVER, HE BROKE HIS CREDIBILITY AND TRUST FACTOR, WHICH MAY IN THE END BE WORSE THAN ANY CRIMINAL LAWS HE MIGHT HAVE BROKEN. MY GUESS IS THAT HE WAS COMPLICIT IN THIS....AT LEAST IN SOMEWAY. HIS STOCK IN THE NFL DRAFT HAS WENT DOWN CONSIDERABLY, PROBABLY COSTING HIM MILLIONS IN ACTUAL SALARY, AND A LOT IN ENDORSEMENTS AS WELL.
    by hossridr   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I can think of a song that fits this situation perfectly. It's called Imaginary Lover
    by kamith   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I used to think sports were cool and healthy. Clearly, I was wrong. These folks are now cheaters and dopers. What a weasely way to try to win a stupid trophy that rarely even changes your draft order. Yikes.
    by cybermars   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Oh i pray his stock in the draft drops all the way to the Pats. Are you kidding me, the NFL drafts football talent not little miss manners and this kid is talented. This nonsense and that is all it is, won't affect his draft position one bit, but if it does, Go Pats Bwaaaaaaaaaaahahaha
    by hawkeye63   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Broncos Before the Pats!
    by Radar13   January 19, 2013   Reply    
  • If ths guy Tuiosopopo or whatever wanted to stir up publicity with this stunt, he has done quite well, I'd say.
    by Cabowaboman   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Why is this story important?
    by stelindel   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I don't think anyone should be surprised about the lengths some people will go for fame including making up a story about a dead girlfriend to win a Heisman. Personally the reason I read these posts is the hilarity of the misspelled words. "Jackazzes" is one of my all time favorites.
    by Cliffb   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I dont get it, did this guy ever meet the girl he thought was O'Meara?
    by Michael4yah   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Cam newton's dad was getting rich off college recruiters and everyone said cam didn't know. Did he fabricate a girlfriend just to have her die. Lets prosecute his dead grandmother because she'e in on it to.
    by danamo   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Yore a weirdo, shame on you. You sick and karma is a bitch ugly online weird Otot.
    by Radar13   January 20, 2013   Reply    
  • After consulting with former President Bill Clinton, Manti Te'o has issued the following statement: "I never had text with that woman."
    by Stinkers   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • I heard some professional reporter say no one has talked to someone for 2 years and has never met them. Ask Dr. Phil-just a few weeks ago he had a rerun where 3 women had talked to a man with different name for several years He never visited them or allowed them to visit him due to accidents and illneses.They sent and received pictures of a man who knew nothing about them. In the end this so-call man turned out to be a woman.
    Don't down the fellow until you have gotten the truth. Really why does the news make so much fuss about this type of thing.Is ther no ther news worthy of reporting. Why is most of our news gossip.I hope all these people who are talking about him don't live in glass houses. The Bible says you will reap what you sow. It doesn't long for it to come back around. This includes the sport reporters also.
    by SAMMIE212   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • Just saying...in my day, I did some things, for the girls and their attention mostly, but still some things. But the difference now versus then - first, I was not famous, not at a top college, and not talented in any sport. No cell phones, no twitter, no facebook, no nothing but home phones, cars, and snail mail. Honestly, being young and no wisdom, knowing what it is now, and what it was then...it is much harder to make a blunder now and recover emotionally. There is no safe place to hide. He made a really dumb mistake. Let the dude be.
    by WOODOG25   January 18, 2013   Reply    
  • It seems to me Te'o ought to contact that woman and make her his real girl friend.
    by DaffyDuck   January 19, 2013   Reply    
THE BACKYARD
RELATED ARTICLES

The best Manti Te'o memes from the interwebs

Via Busted Coverage  |  January 17, 2013
Of course we were going hunting for Manti Te’o memes. First were the Manny Pacquiao KO memes, now these, the definitive 41 best Manti Te’o fake/dead girlfriend memes that the internet has to offer. [Images via Topsy and Tiger Droppings] Filed under: Football, NFL

Manti Te’o's girlfriend and her story a hoax according to Deadspin

Via College Football Section  |  January 16, 2013
According to a story published by Deadspin‘s Tim Burke and Jack Dickey, Manti Te’o completely fabricated his girlfriend Lennay Kekua and her death. His family never met Kekua and the images on her Twitter and Instagram accounts were stolen from a woman in California. There is no record of Kekua’s death, her ever attending Stanford like Te’o said, or for that fact any other...
IRISH EYES ARE LYING

Did Te'o make up dead girlfriend?

Via Crystal Ball Run  |  January 16, 2013

An investigative report from Deadspin revealed that Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o's girlfriend was really a hoax.

Manti Te’o issues statement regarding fake girlfriend

Via Pro Football Zone  |  January 16, 2013
Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o came out and issued a statement regarding the report by Deadspin that he lied about having a girlfriend that died from leukemia. “This is incredibly embarrassing to talk about, but over an extended period of time, I developed an emotional relationship with a woman I met online. We maintained what I thought to be an authentic relationship by communicating...

New Shirts Mocking Manti Te’o Take Internet By Storm

Via Hinton's Sports Highlights  |  January 18, 2013
By now, you’ve heard that Manti Te’o, Notre Dame’s defensive version of Tim Tebow, had a girlfriend who died only hours after his grandmother passed in September before one of the Irish’s biggest games, on the road against Michigan State.   By now, you’ve also heard that the whole thing was a hoax. It’s still … Continue reading »
BY YOUR SIDE

Notre Dame AD defends Te'o

Via IMAGE CPR  |  January 16, 2013

Notre Dame's athletic director, Jack Swarbrick, addressed the media regarding Manti Te'o's fake girlfriend, and defended the linebacker.

Cardinals fullback says Lennay Kekua is a real person

Via The Victory Formation  |  January 16, 2013
Ok, so now we have the biggest twist in the Manti Te’o's girlfriend is a hoax story. Deadspin reported that the story perpetuated by Te’o all season long about the loss of his girlfriend to Leukemia on the same day that his grandmother died, was a hoax. 

Manti Te’o's girlfriend being dead is a hoax, Notre Dame issues statement

Via Pro Football Zone  |  January 16, 2013
According to Deadspin, the story that Notre Dame linebacker  Manti Te’o lost his girlfriend to leukemia back in October is false.  The entire ordeal is a hoax.  He never had a girlfriend. Obviously Te’o tricked everyone into to thinking his girlfriend was dead for sympathy.  This is such a sick thing to do and I can’t imagine what motivated him to do this. Deadspin did...

Minor league team to have "Manti Te'o Girlfriend Bobblehead Day"

Via The Outside Corner  |  January 18, 2013
We've seen our share of silly minor league promotions, but this one might take the cake. The independent Florence Freedom will be having a "Manti Te'o Girlfriend Bobblehead Day" during a game in late-May, making light of the ridiculous scandal in recent days involving Notre Dame's star linebacker. With the promotion, the first 1,000 fans entering the stadium...

Brooklyn Cyclones to capitalize on Manti Te'o fake girlfriend hoax with 'Fictitious Friday' promo

Via The Other Paper  |  January 19, 2013
The New York Mets' Class-A minor league affiliate, the Brooklyn Cyclones, announced a "Fictitious Friday" promotion to capitalize on the Manti Te'o fake girlfriend hoax. A mocking press release from the New York-Penn League team said that they are talks with the Loch Ness Monster and Big Foot to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Leave it to an arm of the Mets...

Real Tweets from Real (?) People - The Manti Te'o Hoax

Via Awful Announcing  |  January 16, 2013
Deadspin dropped one of the biggest bombs the sports world may have ever seen with the article by Tim Burke and Jack Dickey on Manti Te'o's girlfriend who passed away earlier this season being an elaborate hoax.  We're way too early in this story to know what the reprecussions will be for Te'o or Notre Dame, but it has stunned the sports world in a way like few stories...

Opinion: Why the Manti Te'o anger?

Via Online Sports Guys  |  January 17, 2013
So...the "Big" news story of the week isn't the economy, isn't Lance Armstrong, isn't the President's gun control measures, rather, it's an apparently mentally ill or incredibly naive now former Notre Dame linebacker. Yes, it appears that former ND linebacker Manti Te'o made up what can only be called an "Elaborate" hoax, where he told...

Tweets connect Ronaiah Tuiasosopo to Lennay Kekua hoax

Via Larry Brown Sports  |  January 17, 2013
Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o had a fake girlfriend. The story by Deadspin published on Wednesday first asserted that, and Notre Dame confirmed it in a press conference later in the day. At this point we know that Te’o lied in some capacity about the story. He either: a) Was part of the hoax and lied for some twisted reason (Deadspin reports his motivation was to gain publicity...

Will The Girlfriend Hoax Overshadow Manti Te'o and Notre Dame?

Via Football Nation  |  January 18, 2013
When Alabama smothered Notre Dame in the BCS national championship game, most of the talk wasn't about the  outstanding play by AJ McCarron's offense and the outstanding coaching by Nick Saban. It was about the flattering comments made by ESPN commentator Brent Musburger about how beautiful McCarron's girlfriend Miss Alabama Katherine Webb is. Since then, she's become...
RUMORS & GOSSIP
PINK-SLIPPED

Report: Clippers fire Vinny Del Negro

The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly have decided to part ways with team's head coach, firing Vinny Del Negro after just three seasons.

Via Larry Brown Sports Verified_ybn
28 minutes ago  | 
GIT-R-DONE

Blank wants Ryan extension ASAP

Falcons owner Arthur Blank would prefer negotiations not to drag out and have quarterback Matt Ryan signed to a contract extension "as soon as possible.”

Via Helmet2Helmet Verified_ybn
2 hours ago  | 
CLASS ACT

Durant donates $1M for tornado relief

Thunder star Kevin Durant has donated $1 million to the Red Cross for the organization's relief efforts following Monday's tragic tornado in Oklahoma.

Via Gamedayr Verified_ybn
2 hours ago  | 
HERE WE GO...

Howard unhappy with D'Antoni?

Dwight Howard reportedly said he felt "marginalized" by Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni during a conversation with general manager Mitch Kupchak.

Via Los That Sports Blog Verified_ybn
4 hours ago  | 
ORANGE YOU GLAD...

Jim Boeheim rips Melo's teammates

Jim Boeheim, Carmelo Anthony's coach at Syracuse, blasted his former player's Knicks teammates and their collective poor play during the playoffs.

Via The Victory Formation Verified_ybn
7 hours ago  | 
ZIP IT

Chargers have Te'o on gag order?

Chargers director of public relations Bill Johnston said that the team is trying to shield Manti Te'o from the media so the rookie can remain "focused on becoming a Charger."

Via 60 Max Power O Verified_ybn
8 hours ago  | 
DERP

Mattheus punches locker, breaks hand

Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus reportedly broke his pitching hand while punching a locker after a rough outing on Sunday afternoon. 

Via Rumors and Rants Verified_ybn
10 hours ago  | 
DOUBLE TROUBLE

Canseco to suit up against twin

Though his plans to fight Shaq were thwarted by his daughter, Jose Canseco will suit up to take on a familiar foe: his twin brother Ozzie... in a baseball game.

Via Hall of Very Good Verified_ybn
14 hours ago  | 
EAU DE BROOKLYN

Barclays Center fills arena with perfume

Did you happen to notice a pleasing scent while watching the Nets this season? It just happens to be the 'signature' scent of Barclays Center.

Via NESN.com Verified_ybn
23 hours ago  | 
FIGHTIN' WORDS

Garcia: Tiger Woods a 'liar'

After his meltdown and subsequent loss at The Players Championship to Woods, Sergio Garcia took to Golf Magazine to air some more grievances against his rival.

Via Gamedayr Verified_ybn
17 hours ago  | 
Today's Best Stuff
For Bloggers

Join the Yardbarker Network for more promotion, traffic, and money.
Company Info
Help
What is Yardbarker?

Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond.

© 2013 Microsoft