Pulse Nigeria is the most followed news and entertainment platform, informing and engaging young Nigerians round the clock, providing updates by the hour.

Pulse Nigeria

What Happened To Trisha Meili, The 'Central Park Jogger,' And Where Is She Now? | Pulse Nigeria

Elizabeth Bacharach

<p>ICYMI, Netflix's miniseries <a href="https://www.netflix.com/title/80200549" id="b9343e82-6f3a-3bb9-ac0c-f063c811318b">  When They See Us </a> , the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a27394351/central-park-five-true-story/" id="92db784f-5f35-3576-a5e0-34b241eb1f4c">  true story of the Central Park Five </a> -five Black and Latinx boys wrongfully accused of raping and beating a woman in Central Park in 1989-premiered on Friday and, as with so many true-crime stories these days, audiences everywhere are completely and totally fixated.</p>

<p>While the <a href="https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a27679359/central-park-five-prison-how-long-netflix-when-they-see-us/" id="2e661cf0-6ea9-3dc4-a51d-03ce15c82c0e">  story of the boys </a> has gained the most attention (as it should; again, the boys served anywhere from five to 12 years in prison, despite their innocence), the miniseries has also brought the victim of the story, Trisha Meili-known as the "Central Park Jogger"-to the forefront as well.</p>

<p>Here's everything you need to know about Meili, including what exactly happened to her that night, how she recovered, and where she is now. </p>

<h1>  Trisha Meili, the Central Park Jogger, was attacked on April 19, 1989.  </h1>

<p>Meili, then, a 28-year-old banker, was jogging in New York City's Central Park when she was knocked unconscious with a tree branch. Trisha was then raped and severely beaten to the point at which her scull was fractured and, by the time she was discovered-tied up by her own shirt-she had lost nearly 80% of her blood, per <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/where-trisha-meili-now-central-park-five-netflix-when-they-see-us-1441568" id="649a3747-9dc7-3796-a278-4800cfc6f8dc">  Newsweek </a> .</p>

<p>At first, her doctors didn't think she'd survive-and that even if she did, she'd be in a vegetative state. Meili spent 12 days in a coma and woke up with zero recollection of the attack. While testifying and through several years following, Trisha was known as the "Central Park Jogger" to protect her identity.</p>

<h1>  Nearly 15 years later, Meili finally revealed her identity.  </h1>

<p>In 2003, Meili published her memoir, I Am the Central Park Jogger: A Story Of Hope and Possibility under her own name, revealing her identity.</p>

<p>"I'm grateful that the media did respect my anonymity," she said in an interview with The New York Times at the time of her book release. "It gave me a chance to heal."</p>

<p>Meili says she decided to write her memoir and go public after an appearance at a rehabilitation hospital in Boston, when she discovered that she could inspire others, per the NYT. </p>

<h1>  Meili is still affected both physically and mentally by the attack.  </h1>

<p>According to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/27/style/a-night-out-with-trisha-meili-something-to-celebrate.html?scp=2&amp;sq=trisha%20meili&amp;st=cse" id="12a6457e-a8d0-3ea1-a170-51686ad5282d">  NYT </a> , Meili has "a delicate scar over her left eyebrow, and a slight depression under the eye." She can also no longer smell, experiences some speech impairments, and struggles with her balance.</p>

<p>Even so, Meili never let the attack keep her from returning to running. About three months after the incident, she joined a running group for disabled runners and-get this-in 1995, ran the New York Marathon (!!!). </p>

<p>Mentally, however, Trisha says she has no memory of the attack, but admits that she'll always have to face the reality that she'll "never be the same as [she] was," she told the <a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/central-park-jogger-still-running-20-years-later/" id="f4d81e25-20df-32f1-a087-3b0b4fa872b2">  NYT in 2009 </a> . "Sometimes there are moments of frustration and getting angry at myself, and that can lead to that downward spiral," she said. "Its trying to recognize those moments and take a step back and say, 'Wait a minute. Look at what I have, and look at how far Ive come.' Its a process."</p>

<p>See the trailer for When They See Us:</p>

<h1>  Today, Meili is a motivational speaker who works with sexual assault survivors.   </h1>

<p>While she initially returned to investment banking, Meili later switched career paths to become a motivational speaker and advocate for survivors of sexual assault and brain injury. </p>

<p>She also works at the very hospital that originally treated her post-incident, Mountain Sinai Hospital and Gaylord Hospital, where she works with survivors through the sexual assault and violence intervention program, according to her 2009 interview with the <a href="https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/20/central-park-jogger-still-running-20-years-later/" id="b77b11e0-a06c-3d23-a267-88ae67ed27db">  NYT </a> .</p>

Where Is 'Central Park Jogger' Trisha Meili Now?

What Happened To Trisha Meili, The 'Central Park Jogger,' And Where Is She Now?

Pulse Picks

Business

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Politics

Local

Metro

World

News 

Celebrities

Music

Movies

Fashion

Beauty & Health

Relationships & Weddings

Food & Travel

Domestic

International 

Sports 

Celebrity Picks

Pulse Marketing

Explore categories

Influencer Awards

Company Pages

Breaking News & Top Stories | Pulse Nigeria

Video

Checkout our authors for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria 

Authors | Pulse Nigeria

| Pulse Nigeria

Read the latest news across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search for the latest content across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria

Search Results | Pulse Nigeria

Watch the latest videos across entertainment, sports, business and more. Be first to receive exclusive updates with your free subscription straight to your phone | Pulse Nigeria