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    Chris Cotter Attack - 2000

    As mentioned, people have many motives for self-inflicted crimes, but love is an unlikely one. It does happen, though. Back in 2000, Chris Cotter had just ended a relationship with Ashia Hansen, a British triple jumper of Ghanian descent. Then some scary stuff started happening to Hansen. Threatening letters from a mysterious racist group were found in her mailbox and sent to other prominent black athletes. One night in March, Cotter was supposed to have dinner with Hansen to discuss their relationship. He showed up late to her house, bleeding from stab wounds to his back and forehead, and claimed he was attacked by a group of people shouting racial taunts. He lost four pints of blood and was hospitalized as the police tried to hunt down the evil forces behind the attack. They didn’t have to look far – Cotter had conspired with two co-workers to stage it all, hoping to use it to win back Hansen’s heart. Needless to say, once the truth came out, she dumped him for good.