Ouch, that just really sad. I mean it's relief to find out all those horrible things aren't true, but the fact that the lies were told and so many believed it is just sad.
Even though some people were skeptics, they gave the benefit of the doubt, which is really all you can do, especially in an internet situation like this where we really don't know each other that well.
I do hope Natalie has learned her lesson like she says she has. But as Tommy said, the trust has been broken, so how can we believe anything she says now? We want to, but once you've been burned, it's hard to trust again.
I guess this also proves that you can't believe everything you read on the internet. It's easy for some people to lie about anything, especially when they are not face to face with others. I would say (or at least hope) probably 99% (maybe less, I don't know) of the people on these boards are truthful and tustworthy, at least for the most part. But it's sad that so many were burned by one person and with such tragic lies. Those things that were claimed - abuse, rape, terminal illness - those are serious issues that some people actually go through in life. Why would anyone lie and joke about those things?
Maybe just for attention? I don't know.
I feel really bad for those of you who were really close to Natalie and spent so much time supporting her and praying for her.