The Art of Pseudocide

Romance Author Susan Meachen Returns After Two Years of Supposed Death

By Gretchen Lembcke-Pena, Editor-in-Chief

Recently, romance author Susan Meachen — author of 14 books — returned to her fanbase’s Facebook group to announce that she was alive after her alleged daughter claimed she had passed two years prior.

In the fall of 2020, Meachen’s alleged daughter posted on her Facebook group that her mother had passed due to mental health struggles and online hate, leading many to think she had taken her own life. During that time, Meachen’s fans grieved her passing, so much so that they donated to fundraisers and book auctions in her honor.

“Sorry, I thought people knew my mom passed away,” said Meachen’s daughter in the Facebook group. “Dead people don’t post on social media.”

In the years following her passing, the Facebook group remained mostly silent, with the occasional “Rest in Peace” message. However, on Jan. 3, Meachen revealed she was alive and well and had been managing the Facebook group under a pseudonym, TN Steele. Fans and friends alike were shocked and angered by the news, having felt deceived by someone they admired.

“Within the hour, I was horrified, stunned, livid, and felt like I’d been kicked in the gut and chest at the same time,” said fellow author and friend Samantha A. Cole.

Meachen explained to Cole her struggles with mental health and how she was admitted to a mental hospital to work on herself. Later, Cole went to Facebook to expose Meachen’s alleged history of creating GoFundMe pages for supposed medical expenses that were not needed. For some of the fundraisers, Cole claimed Meachen had done a kidney transplant, paid for medical issues her husband suffered from and more.

“I believe that she should be seen as a delinquent,” said Ioan Constantin, a Lynn junior. “The fact that someone can do something like this is insane.”

Since her return, Meachen has done a couple of interviews, including one with The New York Times, but she has yet to speak about anything that is not already known.

Susan Meachen posing for the camera. Photo/The New York Times.
Susan Meachen’s book, “His Wicked Way.” Photo/Amazon.

Susan Meachen’s book, “His Wicked Way.” Photo/Amazon.

Susan Meachen and her husband. Photo/The New York Times.

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