Woman Discovers Fiancé's Secret Life After He Dies on Wedding Day

Summary

Caitlyn Palmier's life was upended when she discovered her ex-fiancé, Eric, had been unfaithful, a revelation that came after she had already suffered the loss of him to a heart attack. Initially, she grappled with profound grief and depression, finding solace in social media where she connected with a supportive community of those who had experienced similar traumas. As she learned of Eric's betrayal, her grief transformed into anger and a determination to move forward, reclaiming her life and sharing her story to help others find hope and healing.

Takeaways

• 💔 Caitlyn Palmier experienced a profound sense of loss and betrayal after discovering her ex-fiancé, Eric, had been unfaithful and died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 33.
• 👰 The couple had met through a dating app, and Eric had been portrayed as charismatic, funny, and someone who made everyone feel comfortable, leading to a deep attraction for Caitlyn.
• 🎉 They had set a wedding date, and the tragic news of Eric's death came the morning of the wedding, causing Caitlyn to feel as if she was floating outside her body and unable to process the information.
• 🌧️ Caitlyn's initial grief was overwhelming, leading to a period of intense depression and feelings of hopelessness, where she felt like giving up on life.
• 🏠 The support from her family was crucial in helping Caitlyn navigate through her grief, providing constant companionship and understanding during her darkest moments.
• 🤯 In November 2020, Caitlyn discovered Eric had been having an affair through social media, which led to a shocking revelation that he had been unfaithful throughout their relationship.
• 🔥 The discovery of the affair triggered a deep sense of anger and betrayal in Caitlyn, causing her to feel rage and subsequently deepening her depression.
• 💔 Caitlyn's feelings for Eric changed drastically after learning about his infidelity, leading her to feel no love or attachment towards him, only seeing him for who he truly was.
• 🌟 Caitlyn had previously experienced the loss of a loved one, Mike, who died in a tragic accident, adding to her resilience and ability to cope with loss.
• 💊 Caitlyn has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as a result of her experiences, impacting her daily life and sleep.
• 📝 Sharing her story on social media has been a part of Caitlyn's healing journey, connecting her with others who have experienced similar losses and providing a platform for support and understanding.
• 💪 Caitlyn encourages others who are going through dark times to seek help, share their experiences, and have faith in their ability to overcome their struggles.

Q & A

How did Caitlyn Palmier meet her ex-fiancé?

Caitlyn met her ex-fiancé on a dating app while she was living in Toronto and he was in Manhattan.

What was the initial attraction Caitlyn felt towards her ex-fiancé?

Caitlyn was attracted to his confidence, sense of humor, and how he made everyone feel comfortable with his charismatic and funny personality.

When did Caitlyn's ex-fiancé propose to her?

Caitlyn's ex-fiancé proposed in December 2019.

What was the shocking news Caitlyn received on the morning of her wedding day?

Caitlyn was informed that her ex-fiancé, Eric, had died in the middle of the night from a heart attack.

How did Caitlyn cope with the sudden loss of her fiancé?

Caitlyn initially felt like giving up and experienced a deep sense of grief, with her family helping her navigate through her new reality.

What was Caitlyn's emotional state after learning about her fiancé's infidelity?

Caitlyn felt betrayed, angry, and her body went numb. She experienced a deep sense of shame and depression.

How did Caitlyn discover her fiancé's affair?

Caitlyn discovered the affair after seeing a post on Instagram, which led her to reach out to another woman who revealed the affair.

What was Caitlyn's reaction to the revelation of her fiancé's secret life?

Caitlyn stopped grieving for her fiancé and felt a deep sense of betrayal, which led to anger and eventually depression.

How has Caitlyn's life been affected by the loss and subsequent revelations about her fiancé?

Caitlyn has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, and she has missed out on important life events due to her emotional state.

What positive steps has Caitlyn taken towards healing and moving forward?

Caitlyn has been open to dating again and uses social media to share her story, which helps in her healing journey and connects her with others who have experienced similar situations.

What advice does Caitlyn have for others who are going through a dark time?

Caitlyn advises others to go to their dark places, talk about them, and not avoid their feelings, emphasizing that they have the strength within themselves to heal and move forward.

Outlines

00:00

💔 Heartbreak and Betrayal: The Morning of the Wedding

Caitlyn Palmier recounts the devastating moment she learned of her fiancé Eric's sudden death the night before their wedding. They met through a dating app and Eric had proposed in December 2019. Caitlyn describes him as charismatic and funny, with a confidence that she was attracted to. The tragedy unfolded on the wedding day when Caitlyn was called to the hotel lobby by her mother, who revealed the heartbreaking news. Eric had died of a heart attack at the age of 33, despite having no medical history. Caitlyn's grief was overwhelming, leading her to a state of hopelessness and despair, unable to find meaning or control in her life.

05:01

😔 The Struggle with Grief and a Shocking Revelation

Caitlyn's journey through grief was filled with intense emotional turmoil. She found some solace in the support of her family and friends, who were understanding and present during her darkest moments. However, her healing process took a shocking turn when she discovered Eric had been unfaithful. On his birthday in November 2020, Caitlyn found out about his affair through a post on Instagram, which led her to connect with another woman who was also in a relationship with Eric. The revelation that Eric had been seeing this woman while engaged to Caitlyn sent her into a state of anger, depression, and shame, fundamentally changing her perception of their relationship and her feelings towards him.

10:02

😢 Past Loss and the Impact of Eric's Deception

Caitlyn's experience with loss was not new; she had previously lost her boyfriend Mike in a tragic accident. Mike's death was sudden and inexplicable, leaving a deep impact on Caitlyn. The betrayal by Eric, however, compounded her pain, as it was coupled with the knowledge that he had deceived her while she had already endured such loss. Upon learning about Eric's secret life, Caitlyn's grief transformed into anger and a sense of injustice. She found herself unable to reconcile her love for Eric with his actions, leading to a complete emotional detachment from him.

15:03

🌟 Finding Light and Healing Through Sharing Her Story

Caitlyn's path to healing involved coming to terms with the reality of Eric's betrayal and finding support in unexpected places. She credits social media and the internet for connecting her with a community of people who had experienced similar hardships. By sharing her story and hearing others' truths, Caitlyn found a new sense of purpose and validation. She emphasizes the importance of facing one's pain and not avoiding it, as it is through this confrontation that healing can occur. Caitlyn's determination to regain a sense of normalcy and her openness to dating again reflect her resilience and her commitment to finding happiness and peace despite the challenges she has faced.

Keywords

💡Grief

Grief refers to the deep emotional response to loss, particularly that of a loved one. In the video, Caitlyn Palmier experiences profound grief after the sudden death of her ex-fiancé, Eric, which manifests in her feeling of giving up and the sense of pointlessness in life. Her grief is a central theme, illustrating the intense emotional turmoil she navigates following the tragic event.

💡Affair

An affair is a secretive romantic or sexual relationship outside of one's committed partnership. In the script, Caitlyn discovers that Eric had been having an affair, which adds a layer of betrayal to her grief. This revelation significantly impacts her healing process and shifts her emotions from sadness to anger and eventually to a resolve to move forward.

💡Betrayal

Betrayal is the act of breaking a trust or promise, causing emotional pain. Caitlyn's realization of Eric's affair represents a profound betrayal, which intensifies her emotional journey. The script describes how this betrayal led to feelings of anger and a reevaluation of her relationship with Eric, ultimately affecting her grieving process.

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Caitlyn is diagnosed with major depressive disorder as a result of her experiences. The script highlights her struggle with depression as a long-term side effect of her loss and the subsequent discovery of Eric's infidelity.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Caitlyn has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, which is portrayed in the video as another consequence of her traumatic experiences. The script describes her struggles with sleeping and the impact of her anxiety on her daily life.

💡Support System

A support system consists of friends, family, or other resources that provide assistance and encouragement. In the video, Caitlyn's family and friends play a crucial role in her journey through grief, providing her with the emotional support she needs to cope with her loss. They help her navigate the immediate aftermath of Eric's death and the subsequent revelations.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. In the script, Caitlyn uses social media to connect with others who are grieving, which provides her with a sense of community and helps her in her healing process. It also becomes the medium through which she discovers Eric's affair.

💡Revelation

A revelation is a surprising and previously unknown fact or piece of information. The script describes a shocking revelation for Caitlyn when she learns about Eric's affair through social media. This revelation significantly alters her perception of her relationship with Eric and her path toward healing.

💡Healing

Healing refers to the process of recovering or becoming healthy again, both physically and emotionally. Caitlyn's journey in the video is one of healing from the dual trauma of losing Eric and discovering his infidelity. The script illustrates her efforts to overcome her grief and betrayal, and her determination to find happiness and normalcy again.

💡Self-Care

Self-care involves activities and practices that individuals engage in to take care of their mental, emotional, and physical health. In the video, Caitlyn's path to healing includes focusing on self-care, such as seeking professional help, medication, and finding support through social media and support groups, which are all part of her strategy to cope with her mental health challenges.

💡Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning or ceasing to hold a grudge against someone for a wrong they have committed. Towards the end of the script, Caitlyn hints at a potential path toward forgiveness, suggesting that by sharing her story and helping others, she may be able to find a sense of peace and forgiveness for Eric's actions.

Highlights

Caitlyn Palmier's life was turned upside down after discovering her ex-fiancé's true nature.

The couple met through a dating app and were engaged in December 2019.

Caitlyn's ex-fiancé was described as charismatic, funny, and having a comforting presence.

The wedding was scheduled, but the groom tragically passed away the night before from a heart attack.

Caitlyn's initial grief was intense, leading to feelings of hopelessness and physical illness.

She experienced a deep sense of loss and struggled with the reality of her fiancé's death.

Caitlyn's family provided unwavering support during her grieving process.

She contemplated ending her life but found a moment of relief through her mother's understanding.

Social media became a source of connection with others who were grieving.

In November 2020, Caitlyn discovered her fiancé had been unfaithful through a shocking Instagram post.

The revelation led to feelings of anger, depression, and a deep sense of betrayal.

Caitlyn's perception of her fiancé changed drastically after learning about his infidelity.

She had previously experienced the loss of another loved one, Mike, in a tragic accident.

Caitlyn's journey through grief and betrayal has led her to a place of acceptance and healing.

She has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder as a result of her experiences.

Caitlyn is determined to regain a sense of normalcy and happiness in her life.

Sharing her story on social media has been a part of her healing process and a way to help others.

Caitlyn encourages others to face their dark places and seek help, as she believes in the power of resilience.

Transcripts

everything just kind of

like like shut off I gave up like I was

like there's no point to anything like

I'm done if that makes sense I'm I'm

just done Caitlyn palmier is putting her

life back together after learning her ex

fiance wasn't who she thought he was so

we met on a dating app I was living in

atoria and queens and he was living in

Manhattan he proposed December

2019 so much fun like just so

charismatic funny the thing that I like

I would say I L most about him was just

he was so he made everyone feel super

comfortable he had this like very loud

like funny laugh I was super attracted

to that confidence and sense of humor

all

[Music]

right the pair set their wedding date

the night before was our rehearsal

dinner it was just like such a great

night it was just you know a very happy

occasion everyone was like really great

state of mind um I was very grateful to

have that

memory

Mama August 22nd 2020 came we weren't

staying in the same room the night

before the wedding and I woke up um to

the hotel phone ringing it was my mom

but I just was kind of like what time is

it like you know where's with my hair

appointment like am I late and

um she I just remember her saying like

you have to come um you have come down

to the lobby something was up did not

sound right I was just like why and she

was like just come please come down to

the lobby and I was like what what is

going on she's like you just need to

come down um and I was like absolutely

not not until you tell me what's going

on I just knew something was wrong I

know my mom well enough and then I just

said I'm not doing anything until you

tell me what's going on and she said um

Eric died in the middle of the

night and I just I literally can explain

it as like floating outside my body like

I just like I almost like I watch it

like a movie and I tell my

friend they can't process it I'm I think

I'm like on the

ground um and like the next thing the

next few things are just kind of

snapshots and I am my parents and my

sister at the and my best friend who um

you know obviously in the wedding party

they're at my

door and I'm just

looking at my

sister kind of

like explain it to me you know I just

like broke down and the next few days

continue and in in quite a blur I

have certain memories that stand out out

to me um but yeah that was that was the

morning of the of the wedding Eric died

of a heart attack he was 33 years old

leading up he actually wasn't feeling

great um he was complaining um of some

like he always had heartburn they gave

him like a steroid like a few days

before the wedding like just to kind of

like because he was saying he was in a

lot of pain and I'm you know I'm getting

married and want to be able to enjoy it

like it was really uncomfortable he was

a healthy

33 um young man with no medical history

Caitlyn's grieving began I gave up like

I was like there's no point to anything

like I'm done it took all of the wind

out of me I could barely be on my feet

for for very long I

mean it was like my I had no control

over my physical being I was sick

obviously so sick to my stomach um I

couldn't if I was if I wasn't crying I

was sleeping or I was in some kind of

like shock of some sort or sometimes I

would just have to like get up and walk

to do something with my body but it was

like a shell of myself like I just I was

so deflated I was so so deflated family

helped Caitlyn navigate her new reality

it's not like I want it's not like I was

sitting there being like okay I'm I want

to kill myself but I couldn't think past

that I just I didn't see a way past it

and so I didn't know how to describe it

but like

it felt impossible I realized

like I have to tell somebody what's

going on inside my head my mom's with me

and I said

like

[Music]

um I'm so sorry but like I'm you have to

help me like end it because I can't like

I I can't do this like I promise you

there's just no way I can do this and

she said the best thing ever she said um

okay we'll figure that out

tomorrow and it was all I needed to hear

I think I just needed that um validation

that like I was

heard that

um that it was an option kind of like

because I had no options at that point

so it was just like a little bit of a

sense of control back that I had felt

like I had completely lost I had a

conversation with my sister and I'm like

you're going to have to tell me what

what I'm doing here because you know

it's it was like every hour I'd have

Rush of like no no no no no no no no

this didn't really happen this didn't

really happen what was really cool about

my family and

friends they were so real with me they

found it

normal that I couldn't get out of bed in

the morning you know they found it you

know they I wasn't left alone for more

you know than a few minutes at a time

for weeks following they just

rotated but just allowed me to be in it

but it was like I was a raw nerve social

media helped her connect with others

grieving it's such an incredible

Community you know of people who um go

through horrific things and like survive

them um and are honest about it and the

second that I hard I was like it was a

relief like I needed that that's how I

started getting through

really diving into it but it also led

her to a shocking Revelation November

2020 was his birthday I'm like I want to

go on Instagram I want to post something

about his birthday and the first thing I

see is like a post and it was a picture

of a conversation of two people and one

was like uh one person saying happy

birthday to um and it was his last name

and then the response was like

hearts just something is not Computing

because I'm like is that a coincidence

this is happening really quickly in my

brain and the dedication is about

spending his last birthday

together um and how it was this great

night and I'm like just so confused so I

reach out to her and I'm like I'm just

confused like did you know Eric like

what was your relationship with him and

then she told

me her fiance was having an affair

throughout their relationship my body

went numb my body definitely went numb

my my everything was like on

fire um and and I just was like just

send me everything you have if you have

any like fruit he traveled for work and

that's how he met her on he had set up

an account a dating app where he

traveled for work met her there and he

was there every week she sent me some

messages that she had on like an Apple

Watch pictures of that he had just been

like when am I going to see you again

you know was just like sending her um

messages that were inappropriate but

like

recapping events and so it was very

clear that he had physically cheated on

me um that was proof not that I didn't

believe her I did but

um I don't know right away I just knew

it was true I met a an angry side of me

that I had never met before so you know

I'm not totally proud of all the thing

the ways that I responded I'm sure there

are much stronger people out there that

would have handled this with much more

Grace but I am not one of those people I

have just I'm I'm broken you know I'm

I've I'm broken I'm done so it turned

into rage and I was waiting for it I was

waiting for like the sadness to come

back but it was

this it went from

anger um like the Depression started

seeping

in um the next couple days and that

comes with a lot of Shame and when that

that

happened there was like a voice inside

me who was like at that I'm not wasting

one more minute on this man in this

way I am not going to turn this on me

since learning about this woman Caitlyn

said she's learned of others since

things have been published there's been

more

women

so

yeah um there was a full-blown

relationship um that he had dated a girl

before I was in the picture they had

broken up I came into the picture and

they started things up again and she

told me that she was under the

impression they were dating she didn't

know I existed it feels like he hated me

like it feels like and and so I don't

know I'll never know I loved him more

than anything on in this

universe and so so to now think that it

was for somebody I didn't know um you

know he made that choice after

this I

officially officially oh him

nothing Caitlyn says Eric's betrayal is

worse because he knew she'd been through

another loss before they'd met oh Mike

is my favorite

subject the best way to describe him is

just like a teddy bear um I met him um

his best friend was dating my best

friend so we met through friends we were

dating a year I had thrown a birthday

party he it was just a weird freak

accident that we don't actually really

know what happened he was found just

like face down in the middle of the pool

um and we had thought like something

like medical had happened to him there

was nothing when they did scans he had

broken his C1 in C2 somehow in his neck

which is like you know it's basic so he

was on life support and then um after

five days he passed away from the

hospital so that was I mean at that

point of course like unfathomable like I

didn't even there was no way for me to

process that event everyone loved him

and he just like he was simple he just

wanted to like do his job go to work

watch the Yankees like go to Le know

like he was just a simple dude smart um

loved his friends loved his family um

was ready for that next phase and um you

know I'm just hoping you know in the

next life he gets to have it you know

after Caitlyn learned of Eric's secret

life she stopped grieving his loss I've

gone back and like looked at things I

wrote you know about him and just like

how in love I was it's hard to even

access that now it's really hard to

access those feelings for him now um I

have zero feelings zero feelings for him

that's just reality I see him for what

he was and that is who he was it's just

cruel what it done what I will say like

weirdly that blessing came from like it

felt like everything else in my life

brightened like he went dark and so

every it gave light to everything else

so I immediately felt so grateful for

the love I have in my life I am going to

be happy like I'm done because it's like

my only like Revenge

that I can have um and hopefully help

other people hopefully I matter I matter

my feelings matter what I'm going

through matters what he's put me through

matters what he's taken from me that's

like it matters the last few years have

left Caitlyn with long-term side effects

I've been diagnosed with major

depressive disorder um I have

generalized anxiety disorder I have I

can't I my sleeping is

horrific um I have I'm on medication

that causes a lot of side effects but I

need to be in order to function at work

and make money and um I have

lost years of and I I physically wasn't

at many events of my nieces and nephews

and family and friends I've missed out

because I couldn't physically be there

and then in when I could physically be

there I wasn't emotionally there and

I'll never get that time back she's

determined to have some normaly right

after I found out about it I was like

well let's get

dating even if again like even just

having fun like I I no I am not yes I am

totally good in that like dating thing I

want to find somebody else so yes I I

very open to dating social media and

sharing her story helps her healing

journey I got through

this so much because of strangers on the

internet widows I met through media you

know Outlets grief worlds um along with

the PE you know my support group my

young Widow support group and people who

were honest about their

experience it saved me oh my friends and

family yes but this was another layer of

saving me so I just

want people to know that like your

truth is valid it's worth being

heard and being witnessed can can really

save your life if you feel like you're

desperately alone and if me talking

about it can maybe bring you know some

confidence in someone else to talk about

something hard they're going through

I don't know maybe that could help I

feel like I get closer almost to like

forgiving

him because I feel like I don't know

there's some kind of like pay it forward

and maybe this can be turned into

something a little more positive and so

then I can get at a place of Peace for

anyone in a dark place Caitlyn says it

may not seem like it now but you can

make it through if I can see through

this so can you go to the Dark Places go

there talk about them you can heal from

them you can don't avoid them you got to

feel it you got to feel it and it sounds

cliche but the point is is that like go

there you are you you are going to be

okay you have yourself you know you can

save yourself you you have that inside

you you do just have faith in yourself

if you don't need anybody else to have

faith in you like you can do it for

Inside Edition digital I'm Andreas

swindle

oh