What happened to Hunter in Apple Cider Vinegar? Ending Explored

Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar delves into the rise and downfall of a wellness influencer from Australia named Belle Gibson, who built a brand on her fake cancer diagnosis. The six-part true crime series explores Belle Gibson's fraudulent claims of curing cancer via a good lifestyle and healthy diet.

Among several others, a victim of Gibson's manipulation is a young boy fighting brain cancer, Hunter Cross, played by Christain Fordham. Hunter's heartbreaking storyline reveals the devastating impact of Gibson's fraud. The series focuses on her manipulation of thousands of people including her social media followers. It also highlights the personal and emotional toll on families like that of Hunter's who ditched scientific methods and believed in Gibson's miracle treatments.

Even though Hunter's fate remains open-ended by the show's conclusion, viewers are left with an emotional cliffhanger with his mother finally deciding to stop the fake cancer treatment.

The series premiered on Netflix on February 6, 2025. It is inspired by the book The Woman Who Fooled The World by journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano.

---

What happened to Hunter as shown in Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar?

Apple Cider Vinegar introduces us to Fiona Cross (Edwina Wren), Hunter Cross' mother. Fiona is highly concerned for her eight-year-old son, who is battling brain cancer.

Belle Gibson meets Fiona just outside the hospital premises in Melbourne when Gibson, after hearing about Hunter's condition, offers to help them raise donations. She also promised to donate her sales of her wellness app to Hunter's treatment.

Gibson uses her social media to post about Hunter and his need for funds to continue his treatment. As the story progresses, Fiona realizes that it was all a gimmick and Gibson never raised any funds for her son, Hunter. Fiona stops the treatment of Hunter via Belle Gibson's methods as soon as she comes to know about it.

What remains most haunting is that the people accused the Cross' of taking part in Gibson's lies. In a heartbreaking moment in the series, a stranger suggested the only way the family could prove innocence is by showing Hunter's funeral. Apple Cider Vinegar does not show what happens to Hunter Cross, whether he survives or not remains a mystery for the viewers.

---

Hunter's Fundraising Deception: The True Story Behind Belle Gibson's Fraud

In Apple Cider Vinegar, Belle Gibson's fraudulent fundraising for Hunter mirrors the heartbreaking real-life story of Joshua Schwarz (Hunter in the series). Joshua, the son of Penne and Wolfgang Schwarz was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the age of five.

In late 2013, Gibson shared Joshua's story on Instagram and promised to donate her sales from her app towards his treatment. She even attended a local fundraising event for Joshua Schwarz in January 2014 and claimed to have handed over the fund money to the family. However, the Schwarz family revealed they never received any funds from Gibson.

Penne, Joshua's mother struggled with public scrutiny about her son's diagnosis. Eventually, Penne contacted journalists Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano to expose Gibson's fraud.

Joshua Schwarz died on January 21, 2017, at the age of nine. This mirrors the tragic fate of Hunter in Apple Cider Vinegar, where both characters face the consequences of Gibson's fraudulent business.