Jess McHugh (Host/Narrator)

We're about the same age, both from small towns in New England. But also, I've become a bit of an expert on women like her. I've spent years digging into historical research, reviewing court documents, and immersing myself in the world of women who managed to live multiple lives. I've found so much that I'm now writing a book about it all.

We're about the same age, both from small towns in New England. But also, I've become a bit of an expert on women like her. I've spent years digging into historical research, reviewing court documents, and immersing myself in the world of women who managed to live multiple lives. I've found so much that I'm now writing a book about it all.

So yeah, Sarah felt familiar to me, but in the most unsettling way. I clearly remember one of the first things I wrote to her after reading those headlines. I told her, I suspect that there is so much more to your story. I had no way of knowing just how true that would turn out to be.

So yeah, Sarah felt familiar to me, but in the most unsettling way. I clearly remember one of the first things I wrote to her after reading those headlines. I told her, I suspect that there is so much more to your story. I had no way of knowing just how true that would turn out to be.

And I'm Jess McHugh.

And I'm Jess McHugh.

One of the first people we interviewed for this story was Catherine Dexter. She goes by Dex. Dex initially met Sarah Kavanaugh in the mountains of Montana at a retreat for veterans.

One of the first people we interviewed for this story was Catherine Dexter. She goes by Dex. Dex initially met Sarah Kavanaugh in the mountains of Montana at a retreat for veterans.

Dex had served in the Marines as military police in Japan and a couple other bases. When she got out, she felt a bit lost.

Dex had served in the Marines as military police in Japan and a couple other bases. When she got out, she felt a bit lost.

The retreat was organized by a nonprofit called Patrol Base Abate, also known as PB Abate. The founder started the organization because he was concerned about the mental health of veterans and their difficulties readjusting to civilian life. And this was kind of the exact crossroads Dex was at. So she applied to go on one of their all-expense-paid trips to Montana.

The retreat was organized by a nonprofit called Patrol Base Abate, also known as PB Abate. The founder started the organization because he was concerned about the mental health of veterans and their difficulties readjusting to civilian life. And this was kind of the exact crossroads Dex was at. So she applied to go on one of their all-expense-paid trips to Montana.

And that's how she ended up drinking her coffee in Big Sky country with all these other vets and meeting Sarah. What were your first impressions of her at the time?

And that's how she ended up drinking her coffee in Big Sky country with all these other vets and meeting Sarah. What were your first impressions of her at the time?

person who started these retreats was concerned about all the challenges that vets face as they transition back to civilian life. And he wanted this time in the woods to be healing, transformational even.

person who started these retreats was concerned about all the challenges that vets face as they transition back to civilian life. And he wanted this time in the woods to be healing, transformational even.

Dex says that on this retreat, there were just a few female vets. It was her, Sarah, and another former Marine named Natalie. The three of them worked out together.

Dex says that on this retreat, there were just a few female vets. It was her, Sarah, and another former Marine named Natalie. The three of them worked out together.

So just to recap, here's this woman, Sarah, who at the time was just 30 years old, already a decorated war veteran, strong, modest, quietly brave, sprinting down these mountain trails and giving herself these injections to stem the pain. And on top of it all, she also has stage four lung cancer. Dex had to coax it out of her because Sarah's story came out in dribs and drabs.

So just to recap, here's this woman, Sarah, who at the time was just 30 years old, already a decorated war veteran, strong, modest, quietly brave, sprinting down these mountain trails and giving herself these injections to stem the pain. And on top of it all, she also has stage four lung cancer. Dex had to coax it out of her because Sarah's story came out in dribs and drabs.