We recently reported the heartbreaking story of a terminally ill five-year-old boy who passed away in the arms of Santa Claus. Now, it has been alleged that the Santa in question, 60-year-old Eric J. Schmitt-Matzen, may have fabricated the entire event.
The 60-year-old who often plays the part of Santa Claus, alongside his wife Sharon as Mrs. Claus, initially told American newspaper the Knoxville News-Sentinel that he had an unbearably sad encounter when he visited a terminally ill five-year-old boy. Speaking to the publication, the Tennessee resident struggled to maintain his composure as he relayed his story:
“I gave him the present. He was so weak he could barely open the wrapping paper. When he saw what was inside, he flashed a big smile and laid his head back down”.
He then spoke of how the little boy reacted to him:
“He kinda sat up and gave me a big hug and asked one more question: ‘Santa, can you help me?’
“I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could say anything, he died right there. I let him stay, just kept hugging and holding on to him”.
Schmitt-Matzen also claimed that the child’s mother was distraught to see that her son had passed away and screamed:
“no, no, not yet”
But in a sinister turn of events the News Sentinel has now issued a statement doubting the veracity of the Santa’s story:
“Since publication of this story, the News Sentinel has done additional investigation in an attempt to independently verify Schmitt-Matzen’s account. This has proven unsuccessful. Although facts about his background have checked out, his story of bringing a gift to a dying child remains unverified. The News Sentinel cannot establish that Schmitt-Matzen’s account is inaccurate, but more importantly, ongoing reporting cannot establish that it is accurate.”
The Sentinel’s editor, Jack McElroy, commented on the issue:
“Because the story does not meet the newspaper’s standards of verification, we are no longer standing by the veracity of Schmitt-Matzen’s account”
The newspaper has indicated that they are finished investigating the story as yet. Various media outlets in the US are reporting that Schmitt-Matzen told the Washington Post that his story is true:
“If some people want to call me a liar… I can handle that better than I can handle a child in my arms dying…it’s sticks and stones.”
Whether it’s true or not, this Christmas story is pretty sad.
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