That said, would love to hear if there is an update/sequel to this story
Sounds like bullshit to me too. Obviously bitcoin can be stolen from blockchain but when it is it's usually the users fault for being lax on security someway. I don't buy this being in contact with the hacker bs unless you can provide more proof of it.
If I was reading this I'd say bullshit straight up too. I don't blame you. Thing is, this happened to me. I've lost a lot of coins and this guy told me what he told me. The only way I can make sense of it is that I was attacked in ways alluded to here and the guy I spoke to is talking shit. I guess I did feed him with answers in some sense since I suspected him of thieving from me but other info he volunteered. He did also show me a wallet with 867 BTC in it.