Robinson, Texas (The Weekly Vice) - Trista Joy Lathern, a 24-year-old Texas woman was arrested Wednesday after she faked having breast cancer to raise money for breast implants.

According to the McLennan County Sheriff's Office, Lathern faked having breast cancer, took money raised for her from a breast cancer benefit, and then used the money to obtain breast implants in a bid to save her failing marriage.

Investigators say Lathern's friends and coworkers raised $10,000 from a benefit, after Lathern announced she had breast cancer and needed treatment. She then reportedly shaved her head to appear as though she was undergoing chemotherapy.

The benefit, which was thrown at the Hog Creek Ice House back in August, was made possible after friends and coworkers took vacation time off to put on the event. Some workers even donated hours of their own pay, believing Lathern needed the time to re cooperate.

The alleged hoax came to light when Lathern accepted the money and then promptly scheduled an appointment for breast augmentation surgery. The jig was up when the doctor who would perform the surgery realized her medical history contained no mention of cancer treatments.

During questioning, Lathern told investigators she lied about the illness hoping to save her 7-month marriage. Her husband, however, filed an annulment petition on the day of her arrest stating he was mislead into believing she had cancer when they married.

The annulment was filed on the grounds she induced him to get married by "fraud".

Lathern, who now lives with her grandparents in Beverly Hills, was booked into jail on a charge of theft by deception. She was released and then re-arrested when authorities realized she also had outstanding warrants for check fraud.

Danny Vice
The Weekly Vice
THE WEEKLY VICE