An American influencer who previously sparked outrage for removing a baby wombat from its mother in Australia has now been accused of sending threatening messages to a former friend.
Samantha Strable, known online as Sam Jones, faced severe backlash after she posted a video of herself grabbing a joey, distressing both the young marsupial and its mother. Despite the public outcry, Strable has doubled down, allegedly harassing a friend who spoke out about the incident.
Strable’s Whereabouts Revealed After Wombat Incident
According to a report from Daily Mail Australia, Strable, 24, was initially believed to have returned to the U.S. following the controversy. However, new information suggests she is currently in Thailand with her Australian boyfriend, Louis Sixt, a hunting and sheep-shearing specialist.
Her former friend, who shared messages exchanged with Strable, said they discovered her location based on texts she sent during her flight. In one message, Strable commented, “On my flight to Thailand today, guess what I saw? A bunch of old, bald Aussie dudes flying to Thailand.” She went on to claim that while she is being criticized for her actions, others escape scrutiny for more severe offenses.
Former Friend Exposes Threatening Messages
The former friend, who reportedly disagreed with Strable over the wombat incident, shared a series of text messages from the influencer. In one, Strable wrote, “Just wanted to send you a personal F*** YOU, from me to you.”
She continued with a more ominous message: “We’ll be SURE to make some personal efforts to make your life hell too, just as soon as we can, okay? But, thankfully for me, it already is!”
Another message showed Strable taunting her former friend about their financial situation. “While you barely scrape by, I’ll go enjoy it all. Buy that daughter of yours the food, life, and Up&Gos she DESERVES and stop wasting it on boat fuel.”
No Remorse for Her Actions
The former friend revealed that their falling out occurred after Strable refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing in the wombat situation. “She still has no remorse for her actions,” they said.
According to the friend, Strable dismissed the backlash as a “media beat-up” and suggested that the outrage was merely because she was American.
Relationship With Hunting Enthusiast Boyfriend
At the time of the incident, Strable was living in Cooma, New South Wales, with her boyfriend Louis Sixt. The two reportedly connected through a hunting-focused Facebook group and often shared photos of their outdoor adventures.
Sixt, described as an experienced hunter, has been linked to multiple online groups where members discuss hunting techniques. Strable, too, has previously shared images of animals she hunted, including photos from a 2023 trip to New Zealand, where she posed with deceased wallabies.
Social Media Backlash Over Strable’s Texts
Strable’s messages to her former friend have only fueled more criticism. One social media user pointed out, “She has no proof of these allegations. She’s just making assumptions. But the fact is she’s obviously NOT remorseful. She’s annoyed at the backlash. She’s entitled and tone-deaf. And what she did to that poor joey and its mother—she should be ashamed.”
Others slammed her attempt to compare her situation to Australian men traveling abroad. “She doesn’t know why those men are on the plane. That’s a disgusting message,” another user wrote.
Former Employer Distances Itself
Strable’s former employer has also spoken out following the controversy. According to new details, the influencer was previously listed as an environmental scientist for Bowman, but the company has now clarified her status.
“Ms. Strable is NOT employed by Bowman as an Environmental Scientist or in any other capacity,” a spokesperson stated. They emphasized that the company does not condone her actions, adding, “As wildlife conservationists ourselves, we are dedicated to preserving wildlife and their habitats.”
Ongoing Fallout
As the scandal continues, Strable remains in the spotlight for her actions and response to the backlash. Despite international criticism, she has shown little sign of remorse, further damaging her reputation online. Whether she will face further consequences remains to be seen, but the public outrage surrounding the incident remains strong.
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