The CRUX: True Survival Stories

Audrey Mestre's Fatal World Record Freedive | Disaster Strikes E206


Listen Later

In this episode of Disaster Strikes on the Crux Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh explore the tragic story of Audrey Mestre, a world record freediver whose attempt ended in her untimely death on October 12, 2002. Audrey, a talented marine biologist and wife of famed freediver Francisco 'Pipin' Ferreras, attempted a No Limits dive to 171 meters off the coast of the Dominican Republic but never resurfaced alive. The episode delves into the mysteries surrounding her death, the possible negligence involved, and the ongoing controversy that has gripped the freediving community for over two decades. Featuring insights into the unique physiological demands of freediving, the mechanics of No Limits dives, and the subsequent safety improvements inspired by this tragedy, the discussion also touches on the fictionalized representation of her death in the 2022 Netflix film 'No Limit' and Pipin's subsequent defamation lawsuit. Audrey Mestre's story is a poignant reminder of the thin line between triumph and tragedy in extreme sports

Primary References

Books:

  1. Serra, Carlos. The Last Attempt: The True Story of Freediving Champion Audrey Mestre and the Mystery of Her Death. Xlibris Corp, 2006. ISBN: 9781425738396.
    • Critical investigation by Pipin's former business partner alleging negligence
      1. Ferreras, Francisco "Pipin" with Linda Robertson. The Dive: A Story of Love and Obsession. HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN: 9780060779528.
          • Pipin's account of his relationship with Audrey and her death
          • Magazine Articles:

            1. Smith, Gary. "Rapture of the Deep." Sports Illustrated, June 16, 2003.
                • Comprehensive feature article on Audrey and Pipin's story
                • Documentaries:

                  1. Ellwood, Alison (Director). No Limits. ESPN Films, Nine for IX series, July 23, 2013.
                      • Documentary examining the circumstances of Audrey's death
                        1. Rosenthal, David M. (Director). No Limit (Sous Emprise). Netflix, September 2022.
                            • Fictionalized French film inspired by the story (subject of Pipin's lawsuit)
                            • Official Reports:

                              1. International Association of Free Divers (IAFD) / McCoy Report. Investigation into Audrey Mestre's death, October 2002.
                                  • Official investigation concluding accidental death
                                    1. Dominican Republic Autopsy Report. Dr. Danyd Moquete Mendez and Dr. Ana Falete Mercedes, October 13, 2002.
                                        • Official cause of death: asphyxia by submersion (accidental)
                                        • Legal Documents:

                                          1. Ferreras v. Netflix et al. Superior Court of LA County, California, filed March 29, 2023; dismissed April 9, 2024.
                                              • Defamation lawsuit regarding the Netflix film No Limit
                                              • Additional Sources:

                                                1. Women Divers Hall of Fame. Audrey Mestre posthumous induction, 2002.
                                                2. DeeperBlue.com - Various articles and community forums on Audrey's death and the freediving community's response

                                                3. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

                                                  ...more
                                                  View all episodesView all episodes
                                                  Download on the App Store

                                                  The CRUX: True Survival StoriesBy Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen, Bleav

                                                  • 3.9
                                                  • 3.9
                                                  • 3.9
                                                  • 3.9
                                                  • 3.9

                                                  3.9

                                                  457 ratings


                                                  More shows like The CRUX: True Survival Stories

                                                  View all
                                                  This Is Actually Happening by Audible

                                                  This Is Actually Happening

                                                  10,476 Listeners

                                                  American History Tellers by Audible

                                                  American History Tellers

                                                  19,256 Listeners

                                                  How I Survived by Pacific Podcast Network

                                                  How I Survived

                                                  808 Listeners

                                                  What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People. by Scott Johnson & Glassbox Media.

                                                  What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

                                                  1,947 Listeners

                                                  American Scandal by Audible

                                                  American Scandal

                                                  19,170 Listeners

                                                  I Survived by A&E / PodcastOne

                                                  I Survived

                                                  5,885 Listeners

                                                  Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks by Wes Larson, Jeff Larson, Mike Smith | Daylight Media

                                                  Tooth & Claw: True Stories of Animal Attacks

                                                  5,877 Listeners

                                                  Not Today by Not Today

                                                  Not Today

                                                  1,009 Listeners

                                                  Against The Odds by Audible

                                                  Against The Odds

                                                  7,811 Listeners

                                                  Scamfluencers by Audible

                                                  Scamfluencers

                                                  7,408 Listeners

                                                  Real Survival Stories by NOISER

                                                  Real Survival Stories

                                                  1,337 Listeners

                                                  The Spy Who by Audible

                                                  The Spy Who

                                                  584 Listeners

                                                  What It Was Like by Superreal

                                                  What It Was Like

                                                  446 Listeners

                                                  Titanic: Ship of Dreams by NOISER

                                                  Titanic: Ship of Dreams

                                                  992 Listeners

                                                  Lawless Planet by Audible

                                                  Lawless Planet

                                                  215 Listeners