Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bride Allegedly Faked Cancer To Score Dream Wedding
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 8, 2010
Modified Sep 8, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 8, 2010
Modified Sep 8, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In April, the Times Herald-Record published a tear-jerking story about a young Westchester bride-to-be with terminal leukemia preparing to walk down the aisle on a shoestring budget. The article struck a chord with readers in upstate Middletown, and the community rallied to give Jessica Vega, 23, her dream wedding. The rings were donated gratis, the wedding dress and photos were free, the catering hall was heavily discounted, and the happy couple flew off to their honeymoon in Aruba with donated money, using plane tickets bought by well-wishers. But now Vega's husband, Yonkers construction worker Michael O'Connell, says his wife was just faking cancer to get all that swag.
"I thought she was dying and my goal was to give her everything she wanted before she did," O'Connell tells the Daily News. "Now, I want to see the truth come out. If that means her going to jail, then let her pay for what she did." While being interviewed for the first Herald-Record article, Vega showed the reporter a letter from The Westchester Institute for Treatment of Cancer & Blood Disorders, informing her she had cancer. But this week O'Connell called the clinic with the reporter present, and was told they had no patient with that name. Reporter Doyle Murphy writes, "O'Connell hung up and pumped his fist. 'Yes! I did it!' he said."
Vega insists that she did receive the letter from the clinic, but now she doubts the accuracy of the diagnosis. She says she's seeing a new doctor and her health has improved because she no longer lives with O'Connell. Vega also claims O'Connell was abusive, and O'Connell admits he bit her on the elbow once, but only because he was trying to get out of her headlock. You can fake cancer, but marital dysfunction like that can't be faked. O'Connell has now filed for divorce, and is seeking sole custody of their 1-year-old daughter.
Tagged
cancer
jessica vega
leukemia
westchester
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Bronx homeowners facing foreclosure are in the market for assistance
Some are looking for information and legal guidance, but also help clearing worrisome balances.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Cornell students warned of fraternity 'rape culture' years before Jane Doe case
Former students say Jane Doe’s rape allegations could have been avoided had the university heeded their calls for action.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
Cornell students warned of fraternity 'rape culture' years before Jane Doe case
Former students say Jane Doe’s rape allegations could have been avoided had the university heeded their calls for action.
By
Walter Wuthmann
ICE agent fires 7 rounds, shoots man in neck in NYC's Marble Hill, NYPD says
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .