A Pennsylvania beauty queen who shaved her head, and faked cancer has been sentenced to state prison. Police said Brandi Weaver-Gates, 24, raised $30,000 through numerous fundraisers after pretending she needed help with her medical bills, according WJAC. It was all a scam. She never had cancer. According to an article in StateCollege.com, Weaver-Gates told people she was diagnosed in March of 2013 with Chronic Lymphoctic Leukemia. She told everybody she was undergoing chemotherapy treatments at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
When the allegations first came to light, pageant organizers with Miss Pennsylvania U.S. International revoked her crown and sash.
At one point, to fool people, BuzzFeed reported that she posted the following on social media about her “sickness”.
“I can’t believe it’s been a week already since I found out that I’m in remission again!!! From a sick/scary 4th, to celebrating remission, to having a sip for my one week mark! #kickitsbutt #KICKEDitsbutt #byebyecancer.”
Weaver-Gates was sentenced to two to four years in prison after pleading guilty. According to WJAC, she told a judge that she began the scheme because “she was looking for more attention from her family.”
[image via Pennsylvania State Police]