Tanya Head
Tanya Head is the central figure in this episode. She is a woman who fabricated a story about surviving the 9/11 attacks in order to gain attention and sympathy. Her deception was exposed by a journalist, David Dunlap, who investigated inconsistencies in her story. Tanya's real name is Alicia Estevez Head, and she was born in Spain to a prominent and affluent family. She was known for her ambition and ruthlessness, and she often lied to get attention and boost her social standing. Her deception regarding the 9/11 attacks was a particularly egregious example of her manipulative behavior.

9/11
9/11 refers to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airplanes, two of which were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and one that crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The attacks resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and had a profound impact on the United States and the world. The episode explores the aftermath of the attacks, focusing on the experiences of survivors and the impact of Tanya Head's deception on the survivor community.

World Trade Center
The World Trade Center was a complex of seven buildings in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The Twin Towers, the most iconic structures in the complex, were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. The episode focuses on the experiences of survivors who worked in the World Trade Center and the impact of the attacks on their lives. It also explores the role of the World Trade Center United Families Group and the World Trade Center Survivors Network in providing support and advocacy for survivors.

Wells Crowther
Wells Crowther was a young man who died saving lives in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on 9/11. He became known as "The Man in the Red Bandana" for the bandana he wore to protect himself from smoke and debris. Crowther's actions inspired others to be more altruistic and led to the establishment of the Wells Crowther Charity Trust, which awards young people who serve their communities. Tanya Head's fabricated story included a claim that she was saved by Crowther, which added to the tragedy of his death and the impact of her deception.

David Dunlap
David Dunlap is a journalist who exposed Tanya Head's deception. He investigated inconsistencies in her story and discovered that she had fabricated her entire account of her survival. Dunlap's investigation was thorough and meticulous, and he was able to uncover the truth about Tanya's identity and her history of lying. His work had a significant impact on the survivor community, exposing Tanya's fraud and bringing her deception to light.

Survivors Network
The World Trade Center Survivors Network is a nonprofit organization founded by Jerry Bogas to help empower survivors and provide them with a sense of renewed purpose. Tanya Head became a key figure in the network, using her story to advocate for the needs of survivors and to raise awareness about their experiences. However, her deception was exposed, and she was eventually removed from the network. The episode explores the impact of Tanya's fraud on the network and the challenges faced by survivors in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Angelo Guglielmo
Angelo Guglielmo is a documentary filmmaker who exposed Tanya Head's deception. He created a documentary titled "The Woman Who Wasn't There" which detailed Tanya's fabricated story and the impact it had on the survivor community. Guglielmo's work was instrumental in bringing Tanya's deception to light and holding her accountable for her actions.

Pseudologia fantastica
Pseudologia fantastica is a rare syndrome where individuals fabricate stories for attention and sympathy. It is characterized by chronic lying with no clear objective benefit, dramatic and detailed storytelling, and a tendency to portray themselves as heroes or victims. Some believe that Tanya Head may have exhibited signs of this syndrome, as her fabricated story about surviving the 9/11 attacks was highly detailed and emotionally charged, and she seemed to derive a sense of satisfaction from the attention and sympathy she received.

Jerry Bogas
Jerry Bogas is the founder of the World Trade Center Survivors Network. He is a survivor of the 9/11 attacks and was deeply affected by Tanya Head's deception. Bogas was critical of Tanya's actions, calling them "violent" and highlighting the harm she caused to the survivor community. He believed that Tanya's deception fueled suspicions and ultimately led to the disbanding of the network.