Anthony Strangis, also known as Shane Fox, became notorious as the manipulative figure at the heart of the Netflix true-crime hit Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. In 2025, public interest has surged again with the release of Surviving, Strangis, a documentary that sheds new light on his life after divorce. Strangis captivated and deceived restaurateur Sarma Melngailis by claiming to be centuries old, living in a “meat suit,” promising immortality for her and even her rescue pit bull, Leon.
In reality, he systematically siphoned off her restaurant’s funds, estimated $1.2 million, leaving employees unpaid and viewers appalled. His story, rich in psychological manipulation and fraud, continues to fascinate audiences in 2025.
Anthony Strangis Background: Early Life, Aliases & Identity
Little is publicly documented about Strangis’s early life or age, although it’s widely accepted that he's of American European descent. By the time he entered Sarma Melngailis’s life in 2011 via Twitter, he was already using alternate identities, such as “Shane Fox,” claiming secret Navy SEAL ties and mystical powers that he carefully connected to weave a powerful narrative of control.
No reliable records assert his date of birth, education, or family background, deepening the aura of mystery that surrounded him during the height of the scandal. Public databases, media coverage, and court filings have all failed to shed light on his childhood or upbringing, leaving only his actions as the core of his public persona.
How Anthony Strangis Took Control of Sarma’s Life and Finances
Their paths crossed in late 2011, after Sarma had built her vegan hotspot, Pure Food and Wine, into a New York success story. Strangis inserted himself as a romantic partner and business manager, quickly gaining her trust.
By early 2014, they were transferring large sums of over $1.2 million from the restaurant to personal accounts for high-stakes gambling, luxury watches, international travel, and Uber rides.
Strangis cemented his influence by weaving fantastical tales, asserting he could make both Sarma and her dog immortal if she ceded control.
According to employee accounts, he locked Sarma in a cycle of psychological control: love-bombing, gaslighting, and financial manipulation. Experts in coercive control have since cited the case as a textbook manipulation involving financial and emotional abuse.
Arrest and Conviction: The Pizza Order That Ended Their Run
In May 2016, the pair fled New York but were arrested in Tennessee after Strangis ordered pizza using his real name. Their capture, bizarrely linked to Domino’s and a credit card receipt, became a viral detail of the story.
In 2017, Strangis pleaded guilty to four counts of grand larceny, receiving a one-year jail sentence and five years of probation. He was released in May 2017.
As per Parade.com, Sarma received four months behind bars and five years of probation for grand theft, criminal tax fraud, and a scheme to defraud an investor. They officially divorced in 2018, marking a symbolic end to their entanglement.
Where Is Anthony Strangis Now?
After his release, Strangis largely stayed out of the public eye. His defense lawyer stated in an exclusive E! interview that he has “gone on to live his life…this is behind him…he’s remorseful for the people at the restaurant that lost money and he took full responsibility.”
In mid-2025, Surviving, Strangis aired, with new interviews, including a tense call between Strangis and Melngailis. In it, he warns her not to participate in the documentary, reinforcing his controlling persona: “I’m not someone to be fisted with,” he declares.
Little else is known about his current life. Reports indicate he’s maintaining steady employment, avoiding media attention, and is not active online. He has declined participation in all interviews related to the 2025 docuseries.
Why the Story Still Resonates in 2025
The allure of Bad Vegan lies in its collision of wellness, wealth, and control: a self-made restaurateur taken by a grifter with grandiose delusions. The psychological abuse angle, laced with cult-like manipulation, is a chilling reminder of how vulnerability can be exploited, even by those we love.
Netflix’s 2022 docuseries first introduced the public to Strangis’s delusional claims and financial deceit. The 2025 follow-up has deepened the narrative with fresh interviews and personal insights, cementing the case as a cautionary tale of trust, power, and self-deception. The evolving media conversation has also linked the case to broader themes of gaslighting and financial abuse in romantic partnerships.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anthony Strangis in 2025
Who is Anthony Strangis?
Anthony Strangis is an American con artist best known for manipulating vegan restaurateur Sarma Melngailis into wire fraud and theft, a story documented in Netflix’s Bad Vegan and the 2025 follow-up Surviving Strangis. He used the alias “Shane Fox” and made bizarre claims of immortality, secret operations, and metaphysical promises to control his victim.
Is there a Wikipedia page for Anthony Strangis?
Yes, Anthony Strangis is briefly mentioned on Wikipedia pages about Bad Vegan and Sarma Melngailis, but he does not currently have a dedicated, standalone Wikipedia page as of 2025. His story is more prominently documented in media interviews, Netflix coverage, and the docuseries itself.
Does Anthony Strangis deny the accusations in Surviving, Strangis?
No. Strangis has not publicly disputed the events. In new footage, he fully guards his narrative, warning Melngailis not to speak about their history, but offers no alternative account.
What happened to Sarma Melngailis after the divorce?
After serving her sentence, Sarma has rebuilt her life in Harlem with her pitbull Leon. She’s active on social media and vocal against Netflix’s portrayal of her story, advocating for awareness around coercive control and bail reform. In interviews and blog posts, she’s emphasized reclaiming her narrative and helping others avoid similar traps.
Did Strangis face more charges beyond grand larceny?
Strangis’s 2017 charges solely involved four counts of fourth-degree grand larceny. He avoided additional criminal charges and completed his probation by May 2022. No further legal action has been taken against him as of 2025.