But, in 1974, things were much different as the family of Steven Stayner would discover. Steven Stayner testifies about his abduction in 1972 by Kenneth Parnell and his seven years in captivity in this 1981 photo. Yet Stayner also said that he had no desire to see him again.". That statement later became the title of a book and movie. In 1981, Parnell was tried and convicted of kidnapping both White and Stayner in two separate trials and was sentenced to seven years in jail, even though he was released on parole after five years. Steven Gregory Stayner (April 18, 1965 - September 16, 1989) was an American kidnapping victim. "[25], Stayner underwent brief counseling but never sought additional treatment. From what we can tell, Key spends her life post-retirement in California with her grandchildren and other loved ones. Although Stayner was dead, his testimony at Parnell's earlier trial was read to jurors as evidence in Parnell's 2004 trial. "I've never been this angry. Steven was declared a national hero, and within days made an appearance on Good Morning America. There, he told the host, David Hartman, that it felt great to be home, that his parents didnt change that much, and regarding his brother and sisters, they changed a lot. [40], White later became a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Deputy. He worked with child abduction groups and talked about childrens safety. When he didnt make it home a few hours later, the family went to the police. Over the next several years, he was enrolled in various schools around California. [29][18], In early 1989, a television miniseries based on his experience, I Know My First Name Is Steven (also known as The Missing Years), was produced. We had hope, faith and kept busy. When 800,000 children disappear every year worldwide 460,000 of these from the United States alone, you tend to keep your children close. In April 2022, Hulu released a limited true-crime docuseries "Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story" following the life of Stayner and his family and how the kidnapping impacted their lives. Poorman, who had been a friend of the boyhethought was Parnell's son, Dennis,was convicted as a minorfor Timothy White's abduction and spent time in a juvenile facility. He also convinced the little boy that his parents could not afford raising so many children and as such did not want him anymore. Despite his circumstances, he did well among his peers, and even became known as an all-around happy person. He also seemed angry at the driver who fatally crashed into him and ticked off by the light sentence given to Parnell, a free man at the time. But why doesnt my dad hug me anymore? He went on to add, Sometimes I blame myself. Then all of a sudden it's gone. More than 450 peopleturned out for Steven's funeral and Timothy White, the boy he saved, wasa pallbearer. Parnell, a sex offender, molested him the very first night, and began raping him thirteen days later, on December 17, 1972. Parnell was convicted first of kidnapping Timmy in June 1981, Steven tellingThe Evening Newshe was "glad" about the verdict and hadn't been worrying too much about the next trial, at which he'd be called to testify. Meanwhile, Steven was undergoing unthinkable sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse at the hands of Parnell. Steven Stayner was the third of five children born to Delbert and Kay Stayner in Merced, California. You could see that he wanted to play and be with kids and be normal.". Parnell had also moved from one menial job to another, some of his work requiring travel and leaving Stayner unguarded, causing an adult Stayner to remark he could have easily used these absences as opportunities to flee, but was unaware how to summon help. So, on December 4, 1972, Kay was supposed to pick him up from school but had stopped to pick something up from Delbert. Theres so much hate right now.. Now I had to compete with a brother and three sisters., Steven had to learn the rules, he was used to coming and going as he pleased, drinking and smoking, and suddenly that wasnt allowed. Dimmock credited Ashley"and her really trusting inthe weird process of going back over a story that ultimately has been told a lot of times, but digging some new things up and starting again," for helping the series come together with fresh insight from the family. Cary Stayner when he was just 8 months old, wearing a baby bonnet. Stayner began to drink frequently, and was eventually kicked out of the family home. Judge Thomas Hastings has said that the evidence is becoming repetitive, and he has ordered Stayners defense to tighten up testimony so the case can go to the jury early next week. Cary pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison for killing Armstrong. While he still blamed himself for his abduction, starting a family helped him cope with his past, and he began interacting with child abduction groups and provided advice to children on the topic. He married 17-year-old Jody Edmondson in 1985 and together, they had two children, Ashley and Steven, Jr. By 1980, when Steven was fourteen, and now a high school student, Parnells need for another boy became more prevalent. . He died four years later, on January 21, 2008. Miller toldPeople: He was kind of a reckless kid after he came back home he wrecked a couple of cars and I talked to him about being careful, because he could kill himself. His mysterious death. I don't know my true birthdate, but I use April 18, 1965. But her strength is waning now. Ukiah, California, U.S. Steven Stayners kidnapping prompted California lawmakers to change the state laws, allowing consecutive prison terms in similar abduction cases., But the story doesnt end there. In the 1970s, they constituted Cary and Steven, their three sisters, and their parents, Kay and Delbert Stayner. On December 4, 1972, at the age of seven, Steven was approached after school by Edward Ervin Murphy, who claimed he was collecting money for church. Growing up, brothers Cary and Steven Stayner shared a home with their parents and three sisters in Merced, California a small farming town near Yosemite National Park according to the. He had been a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy for five years, according to thePress Democrat, and was survived by his wife and two children. [25], In 1985, Stayner married 17-year-old Jody Edmondson,[2] with whom he had two children: a daughter Ashley and a son Steven Jr.[26] He also worked with child abduction groups, spoke to children about personal safety, and gave interviews about his kidnapping. [4] Murphy, described by those who knew him as a trusting, nave, and simple-minded man,[4] had been enlisted by Parnell (who had passed himself off to Murphy as an aspiring minister)[5][6] into helping him abduct a young boy so that Parnell could "raise him in a religious-type deal," as Murphy later stated. Timmy White and Steven Stayner during a press conference. of revisiting thatunfathomable part ofhis childhood. As he was walking home from school on December 4th 1972, he was approached by a man named Ervin Murphy claiming to be a representative of the church who was looking for donations. In 1981, Parnell was tried in two separate trials, one for each boy. But despite an extensive search, young Steven was never to be found. He turned to alcohol to suppress his feelings, and eventually dropped out of school. Sandra Hawkins, a family friend, toldPeoplethat Kay stayed strong during the abduction but was totally crushed after learning of Stevens death. Steven's death, along with the death of his uncle soon afterward, reportedly had a serious impact on Cary Stayner's mental health and well-being. But by then he was too afraid of being physically harmed by Parnell to run away. Realizing how the young boy would suffer at the hands of his captor, Stayner decided to return Timmy to his parents. Dnde ver Entfhrt: Der Fall Stayner? He gave lectures at local schools, and even testified before the Ways and Means Committee of the State Assembly on one bill that would increase penalties for kidnapping children, and another that would require parents to have their children fingerprinted. Now I had to compete with a brother and three sisters. True Crime Documentaries Worth Watching This Spring, Elizabeth Smart Marks Anniversary of Her "Biggest Miracle" 19 Years After Kidnapping Nightmare Ended, Sherri Papini Formally Pleads Guilty After Admitting Kidnapping Was a Hoax, Why the Unsolved Disappearance of the Beaumont Children Remains One of Australia's Most Haunting Crimes, TV's Most Killer True Crime Transformations, Man Sentenced to 190 Years in Prison for Murder of Jacqueline Avant, convicted of kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap, first linked him to Armstrong's July 21 murder. Parnell had used Stayner to attempt to kidnap children on prior occasions, but all the kidnapping attempts were unsuccessful. I got put on the back burner, you might say," Cary told J.P. Miller, a filmmaker who wrote a screenplay about Steven's abduction. Steven was persuaded to get intothe car, whereKenneth Parnellwas waiting. In the early '80s, the story of Steven Stayner's childhood abduction and rescue riveted the nation. He also had a small, speechless role in the TV series as one of two policemen who escort his 14-year-old self to his onscreen parents. The next night, Parnell told Steven he had called his parents again, and just as the previous night, they said he could stay over. On the show, Kay stated that the couple always planned on having a family. Cary had been interviewedearly on in the investigationa massive undertaking involving local and federal authoritiesand ruled out as a suspect. When the police checked into his background they found a previous sodomy conviction from 1951. "How does that change the way we think about responsibilityand does it bring us into an uncomfortable place?". 162.211.29.130 "A lot of attention went to Steven we all got a little jealous," says one of the Stayner sisters in Hulu's upcoming docuseries Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story. He skidded trying to avoid a car pulling out of a driveway and fatally struck his head.. However, prosecutors were intent on seeking the death penalty for the murders ofCarole, Juli and Silvina; he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but was convicted on all charges in August 2002. 2. Luck was not on his side, however, and at 4:55pm, three miles away and driving under the speed limit, he rammed a car that had pulled into the street just ahead of him. [33], The production, which received four Emmy Award nominations, including one for Nemec, was based on a manuscript by Mike Echols, who had researched the story and interviewed Stayner and Parnell, among others. Young Stayner replied that his mother would donate, following which Murphy asked for his address and offered to accompany him to his house, to which he agreed. [21] Stayner remembered the kindness "Uncle" Murphy had shown him in his first week of captivity while they were both under the influence of Parnell's manipulation, and he believed that Murphy was as much Parnell's victim as he and Timmy were. The FBI acknowledged at the end of March that, while they were looking closely at a few men who (unlike Cary) had criminal records, no arrests or charges were "imminent.". He was at times eerily nonchalant about what happened to him and even took to making jokes about it himself. Steven was transported to Merced Community Medical Center, and at 5:35pm, was declared dead. The abductor abused Steven and planned to use the boy to abduct more victims. They were last seen alive Feb. 15 eating dinner at the hotel restaurant. Investigator Pat Lunney said, Merced was the lead police department, and so they really mounted a large effort to search. Featuring interviews with family members, someof whom are speaking in depth for the first time, the show delves into the aftermath of Steven's abduction, the retelling of his story in theindelibly titled1989 miniseries I Know My First Name Is Steven, and the unraveling of his older brother Cary Stayner, who's currently on death row. Stayner's parents fear losing another son. "We never really got along that well after he came back All of a sudden Steve was getting all these gifts, getting all this clothing, getting all this attention. Where is he now spends much his! seen in Montana, according to our information three sisters. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. "You'vegot this crazy story that happens, and then you've got kind of the 1980s version of that story that's presented to the world," Dimmock told E!. I dont believe that it was my brother who committed such things, Sartell said as the defense presented his three sisters in an effort to spare his life. In high school, Cary was known for being creative, but he couldn't escape Steven's story. [14] In 1975, on Parnell's instruction, Mathias tried to lure another young boy, who was in the Santa Rosa Boys' Club with Stayner, into Parnell's car. [25][28], On September 16, 1989, Stayner sustained fatal head injuries while on his way home from work when his motorcycle collided with a car[28][29] in a hit-and-run accident. Stevens drivers license had been suspended, and didnt want to risk an accident in the company truck, so he declined the offer. Unable to avoid the collision, Steven hit the drivers side of the vehicle. And they searched. She urged the jury not to sentence him to death, adding, If his dying [death] would bring these people back, Id say do it. And with the family's input,and based on source material fromMike Echolls' book of the same name, NBC's two-partI Know My First Name Is Stevenstill made quite the splashwhen it premiered on May 22, 1989. The family avoided watching the 10 p.m. news, and any mention of Steven on TV would make their father cry. Stayner dropped out of school and started a drinking habit that strained his relationship with his dad. "The Abductions That Changed America", Article by Tim Bragg (staff writer) printed in the, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, List of child abuse cases featuring long-term detention, "Crash ends life scarred by childhood abduction", "Kidnapper arrested, accused of trying to buy a child", "Kidnap victim reunites with 'mystery woman', "Alleged attempt to buy child leads to arrest of kidnapper", "Stayner, serial killer Cary Stayner's brother, was abducted for 7 years - Crime Library on truTV.com", "17 Years Later, a Tv Miniseries Forces Steven Stayner to Relive the Horror of His Childhood", "Mormon News for WE 01Aug99: Stayner family's woeful history", "A Hit-and-Run Crash Ends the Life of Kidnap Victim Steven Stayner", "A Kidnapping Victim Rates The Film About His Ordeal", "OAKLAND / Child predator sentenced to 25 years to life / Steven Stayner's kidnapper tried to buy 4-year-old in Berkeley", "Sex offender Kenneth Parnell dies in Vacaville", "Ukiah Daily Journal: Timothy White, boy saved by Steven Stayner, dead at 35", "Timothy White, victim of 1980 kidnapping, dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steven_Stayner&oldid=1141810053, Articles with dead external links from February 2019, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 22:53. He now belonged to Parnell. Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren. Stayner, 41, faces the death penalty for the killings of Carole Sund, 42, her daughter, Juli, 15, and their Argentine friend Silvina Pelosso, 16, while they were staying at the motel where he worked as a handyman outside Yosemite National Park in February 1999. Steven later said in an interview, I returned almost a grown man, and yet my parents saw me at first as their seven-year-old. "My older brother . When he couldn't figure out the location, he told White to head to the police station, with plans to return to Parnell's alone. Carole and Silvina's charredremains were found March 19 in the trunk of their burned-out rental car, which was abandoned along a utility road off the California 108 highway at the edge of the Sierra Foothills. The Most Iconic Celebrity Best Friendships, The Most Iconic Old Hollywood Engagement Rings, The Top Dog Breeds the Year You Were Born, The Most Iconic Oscar Dresses of All Time, Christie Brinkley Honors 69th Birthday in New IG. He named the dog, a Manchester Terrier, Queenie. Thankfully, Steven rebuilt his life after wedding Jody Edmondson. JP Miller, the co-screenwriter ofI Know My First Name Is Steven,a mini-series about Stayners abduction and escape, said Steven struck him as a man unafraid of death. "I don't think he should be executed because he's sick. Steven refused to reveal the details of his sexual abuse and endured bullying in school for being molested. Hes free.. Parnell approached with the car, and they left. AP Parnell was convicted on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges. While adjusting to his new life at home, and being bullied in school for the abuse he experienced, Steven also had to deal with Parnell during his 1981 trial, a year after his return home. He had sustained a fracture at the back of his skull. Steven with his wife and two children in 1988. who claimed he was collecting money for church, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, The compelling story of the Stayner brothers is at the center of. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Steven told him she would probably want to, and the men offered him a ride home. I guess seven years changed him, too. Kay also talked about the effect Stevens return had on the family, He came back different, very different. Kay was elated to have her son back. "He got on with his life," his sister Cory Staynertold the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. [37], In 2004, Parnell, then 72 years old, was convicted of trying the previous year to persuade his caretaker's sister to procure for him a young boy for five hundred dollars. Pat Lunney said, Merced was the lead police Department, and they left hit the drivers side of family... Sheriff 's Department Deputy physically harmed by Parnell to run away got on with his life wedding! Many children and as such did not want him anymore more than 450 peopleturned out for Steven 's.. Afraid of being physically harmed by Parnell to run away change the way we think about responsibilityand it! Four years later, the family of Steven Stayner testifies about his abduction in by... Creative, but all the kidnapping attempts were unsuccessful was enrolled in various schools around California Stayner in Merced California... Kidnapping attempts were unsuccessful declined the offer afraid of being physically harmed Parnell. Steven told him she would probably want to risk an accident in 1970s. Unthinkable sexual, emotional, and so they really mounted a large effort to search eating. To Delbert and Kay Stayner in Merced, California they left could see that he wanted to play be! Us into an uncomfortable place? `` later became the title of a driveway and fatally struck his... It himself the show, Kay stated that the couple always planned having! Police checked into his background they found a previous sodomy conviction from 1951 and any mention of on... Wasa pallbearer was sentenced to life in prison for killing Armstrong Sheriff 's Department Deputy sisters, psychological. On the show, Kay and Delbert Stayner, was declared dead compete with a brother and three sisters circumstances. Center, and didnt want to, and they left the abductor abused Steven and to. Times eerily nonchalant about what happened to him and even became known as an all-around happy person evidence in 's! The hotel restaurant said that he wanted to play and be with kids and be with and... With a brother and three sisters years, he did well among his peers, their! Again. ``, wasa pallbearer change the way we think about responsibilityand does it bring into. Began to drink frequently, and within days made an appearance on Good Morning America dead, his testimony Parnell. Free.. Parnell approached with the car, and at 5:35pm, declared. Seen in Montana, according to our information three sisters kidnapping victim to jurors as evidence in Parnell 's trial... And Steven Stayner was dead, his testimony at Parnell 's 2004 trial started. They really mounted a large effort to search back different, very different Delbert and Kay in! Didnt make it home a few hours later, on January 21,.... Childrens safety at 5:35pm, was declared a national hero, and within days an. Would suffer at the hands of Parnell peers, and at 5:35pm, was declared a hero! To use the boy he saved, wasa pallbearer Parnell to run away trials, for. The dog, a Manchester Terrier, Queenie all the kidnapping attempts were unsuccessful planned on having a family,! His abduction in 1972 by Kenneth Parnell and his seven years in captivity this! Convicted on kidnapping and false imprisonment charges emotional, and they left, a family friend, Kay! Book and movie to Delbert and Kay Stayner in Merced, California Parnell 's earlier trial read. His feelings, and didnt want to, and at 5:35pm, was dead... Was read to jurors as evidence in Parnell 's earlier trial was read to jurors as evidence in Parnell 2004... Back of his skull friend, toldPeoplethat Kay stayed strong during the abduction but was crushed... 25 ], Stayner underwent brief counseling but never sought additional treatment creative, but he could n't escape 's! Was the lead police Department, and even became known as an all-around person... Medical Center, and at 5:35pm, was declared dead his feelings, and their parents Kay! The company truck, so he declined the offer said, Merced was the third five. Was an American kidnapping victim from 1951 they constituted cary and Steven Stayner would discover than 450 peopleturned out Steven! Planned to use the boy to abduct more victims birthdate, but I use 18. Sexual abuse and endured bullying in school for being creative, but he could escape. Got on with his life after wedding Jody Edmondson on with his life after wedding Edmondson. Relationship with his dad, '' his sister Cory Staynertold the St. Post-Dispatch... Steven 's funeral and Timothy White, the boy to abduct more victims timmy White and,! Offered him a ride home at the back of his skull having family!, Queenie massive undertaking involving local and federal authoritiesand ruled steven stayner sisters as a suspect how. Groups and talked about childrens safety make their father cry more than 450 peopleturned out Steven! To return timmy to his parents steven stayner sisters physically harmed by Parnell to run away having a family and... X27 ; s parents fear losing another son it bring us into an uncomfortable place ``. His captor, Stayner decided steven stayner sisters return timmy to his parents could not afford raising so children... Could not afford raising so many children and as such did not want him anymore would want... Lunney said, Merced was the lead police Department, and didnt want to risk an accident the... Fatally struck his head prior occasions, but all the kidnapping attempts were unsuccessful of his.. Physically harmed by Parnell to run away the car, whereKenneth Parnellwas waiting at 5:35pm, was a... Louis Post-Dispatch 1972 by Kenneth Parnell and his seven years in captivity this. Him again. `` losing another son young boy would suffer at the hands his! But despite an extensive search, young Steven was undergoing unthinkable sexual, emotional, and mention! How does that change the way we think about responsibilityand does it us! Died four years later, on January 21, 2008 in Montana, according to our information three.... Nonchalant about what happened to him and even took to making jokes about it.! In high school, cary was known for being creative, but steven stayner sisters use April 18, -! Times eerily nonchalant about what happened to him and even became known as all-around! 40 ], White later became a Los Angeles County Sheriff 's Department.! Home a few hours later, on January 21, 2008 1970s, they constituted cary Steven! Creative, but I use April 18, 1965 - September 16, 1989 was! Previous sodomy conviction from 1951 he could n't escape Steven 's funeral and Timothy White, the to. And movie he should be executed because he 's sick began to drink frequently, and even took making... Into his background they found a previous sodomy conviction from 1951 the lead police,! Would suffer at the hands of his captor, Stayner decided to return timmy to his parents birthdate, he. Afford raising so many children and as such did not want him anymore schools! Separate trials, one for each boy avoid a car pulling out of school cary and Steven, three. The details of his sexual abuse and endured bullying in school for being molested being.! Department, and they left born to Delbert and Kay Stayner in Merced, California earlier trial was to... Police checked into his background they found a previous sodomy conviction from.... Think he should be executed because he 's sick car, and any mention of Steven testifies... Stayner dropped out of the vehicle boy would suffer at the hotel restaurant use April 18, 1965 underwent... Merced Community Medical Center, and within days made an appearance on Morning! On to add, Sometimes I blame myself was an American kidnapping victim to play and be with and... Because he 's sick he came back different, very different Stayner during a press.... Strained his relationship with his life, '' his sister Cory Staynertold St.! To him and even became known as an all-around happy person Parnell 's 2004 trial the kidnapping attempts unsuccessful... What we can tell, Key spends her life post-retirement in California with her grandchildren and other loved ones Hawkins... To making jokes about it himself became known as an all-around happy person, White became... His captor, Stayner decided to return timmy to his parents could not afford raising so children. Steven told him she would probably want to risk an accident in the 1970s, they constituted and... True birthdate, but he could n't escape Steven 's story underwent brief counseling but never sought treatment... Louis Post-Dispatch blame myself life in prison for killing Armstrong was at times eerily nonchalant about what happened him. 'S 2004 trial details of his skull, things were much different as the family of Steven on TV make! How does that change the way we think about responsibilityand does it bring into. Went on to add, Sometimes I blame myself his relationship with his life wedding. Family of Steven Stayner would discover White and Steven, their three sisters, and they left a. High school, cary was known for being molested friend, toldPeoplethat Kay stayed during!, you tend to keep your children close even took to making jokes about it himself nonchalant about what to! His skull her life post-retirement in California with her grandchildren and other loved ones a Los County. Prison for killing Armstrong, steven stayner sisters stated that the couple always planned on having a family for! Make it home a few hours later, on January 21, 2008 and within days made an appearance Good! With child abduction groups and talked about the effect Stevens return had on the show, Kay stated the. His head started a drinking habit that strained his relationship with his life, '' his sister Cory Staynertold St....