The Man Who Saved Her: 5 Shocking Facts About Natalia Grace's Boyfriend, Neil, Revealed In The Final Chapter
The dramatic and often heartbreaking story of Natalia Grace, the Ukrainian orphan at the center of a decade-long legal and media firestorm, has taken a hopeful turn in recent months. As of late 2024, Natalia is reportedly thriving, having found a stable home environment and, perhaps most significantly, a loving partner. This new chapter in her life, heavily featured in the Investigation Discovery docuseries The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, reveals her relationship with a man named Neil, a connection that proved to be a pivotal lifeline during her darkest moments.
The details surrounding Natalia’s new relationship are far from ordinary, mirroring the complexity of her life story. Her boyfriend, Neil, is credited not just with bringing her happiness, but with actively helping her escape what she described as an abusive and fraudulent situation with her third adoptive family, the Mans family. Their relationship, which began online, quickly became a matter of survival, adding another unbelievable twist to one of the most compelling true-crime stories of the last decade.
A Complete Biography and Timeline of Natalia Grace
The life of Natalia Grace is defined by a series of contentious adoptions, legal battles, and a public debate over her true age and intentions. The timeline below provides the essential context for her current life and relationship with Neil.
- Full Name: Natalia Grace
- Date of Birth: September 4, 2003 (Confirmed by bone density tests and her Ukrainian birth certificate)
- Age (as of late 2024): 21 years old
- Birthplace: Mykolaiv, Ukraine
- Condition: Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita (a rare form of dwarfism)
- 2010: Adopted by Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett in Indiana, US.
- 2012: The Barnetts petition the court to legally change Natalia's age from 8 to 22, claiming she was an adult "sociopath" masquerading as a child.
- 2013: The Barnetts move to Canada, leaving Natalia behind in an apartment in Lafayette, Indiana, leading to charges of neglect.
- 2016: Natalia is unofficially living with the Mans family (Cynthia and Antwon Mans).
- 2019: Michael Barnett is found not guilty of neglect. Kristine Barnett's charges are later dropped.
- 2023: Natalia is formally adopted by the Mans family. However, the relationship quickly deteriorates amid allegations of abuse and fraud, as documented in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter.
- Late 2023/Early 2024: Natalia escapes the Mans family with the help of her online boyfriend, Neil, and moves in with the DePaul family in upstate New York.
The Curious Case of Neil: How Natalia Grace Met Her Boyfriend
The beginning of Natalia Grace’s relationship with Neil is a story straight out of the digital age, yet with extraordinarily high stakes. Natalia herself revealed that she met Neil online, specifically on Facebook. The initial connection was described as a "small message" that quickly developed into genuine, mutual feelings.
Neil, who is from the United Kingdom (UK), became a long-distance confidant for Natalia. This virtual bond proved critical during her time with the Mans family. As the situation in the Mans household grew increasingly tense—with Natalia alleging emotional and financial abuse—Neil was one of the few people she felt she could trust.
The relationship was so serious and the concern for Natalia's well-being so great that Neil took a drastic step. Despite never having met Natalia in person, he reached out directly to the producers of the Investigation Discovery docuseries. He informed them of the alleged abuse and fraud Natalia was enduring, effectively sounding the alarm that led to her eventual escape.
This intervention highlights Neil’s commitment to Natalia, demonstrating a level of care that contrasts sharply with the betrayal and abandonment she experienced from previous adoptive figures like Michael Barnett and Kristine Barnett.
A New Life and Relationship Status for Natalia Grace
Following her dramatic exit from the Mans family, Natalia Grace moved to upstate New York to live with Nicole and Vincent DePaul, a couple who also have dwarfism. This move, which happened around Christmas 2023, marked the beginning of a stable, supportive environment that Natalia desperately needed. The DePaul family, who are also part of the little people community, have provided her with a sense of belonging and community.
Natalia’s relationship with Neil has continued to flourish. The two have since met in person, confirming the deep connection they forged virtually. Natalia has publicly stated that she has "fallen in love" with Neil, describing their relationship as a blessing. She credits him with helping her get out of her previous home and find a path toward a better life.
Neil’s presence has been a significant source of emotional support as Natalia navigates her new life, which includes preparing for upcoming surgeries related to her Spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia Congenita. The stability of her new home with the DePauls and her happy relationship with Neil represent a profound shift from the chaos and trauma that defined her childhood and early adulthood.
The Impact of Neil on Natalia's Public Narrative
The introduction of Neil into Natalia’s life, as chronicled in The Curious Case of Natalia Grace: The Final Chapter, provides a much-needed positive resolution for viewers following her complex story. The docuseries, which has captivated audiences worldwide, often focused on the sensational claims made by the Barnett family—that Natalia was an adult sociopath—and the subsequent legal fallout.
The current narrative, however, shifts the focus to Natalia’s resilience and her ability to find genuine connection. The relationship with Neil acts as a powerful counter-narrative to the years of negative press and suspicion. It paints a picture of a young woman, now 21, who is finally able to experience a normal, loving relationship.
The fact that their relationship was initially long-distance and virtual, and that Neil's first act was one of protection and advocacy, underscores the unique nature of their bond. It demonstrates that for Natalia, trust and emotional safety were paramount, qualities she found in a "mystery UK boyfriend" she met on Facebook. This development is arguably the most hopeful and definitive update in the entire saga, suggesting that after years of turmoil, Natalia Grace is finally finding peace and happiness.
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