An online video featuring violent threats caught the attention of FACT Aotearoa researchers. The video featured a woman calling herself Lauren Hill, wearing camouflage, accusing Jacinda Ardern, Ashley Bloomfield, and Chris Hipkins of “murdering and maiming our people”. Her next statement addressed “the resistance”, and how she is “ready to go for[sic] war”. She went on to threaten vaccine busses, vaccine staff, doctors and nurses as she now doesn’t consider them “colleagues”.
The last statement raised further concerns about her profession. FACT Aotearoa researchers used OSINT skills to find out more information on Lauren and found out that her real name is Dunedin nurse Lauren Bransgrove, who has been taking part in Voices for Freedom events in the southern city.
Media outlets (Otago Daily Times) have been alerted to the video and have confirmed these details (RNZ). Multiple agencies are investigating, including the police, the Nursing Council, and current employer ACC.
She has since apologised for her outburst saying “I am a law-abiding parent who has let their emotions get the better of them and I will ensure this does not happen again… I am wholeheartedly sorry to all.” (NZ Herald).
This was not the first time Lauren had made threatening comments against government officials, and we doubt it will be her last.
