'This is the best day of our lives. Pam Akers watched her son, Shawn Hornbeck, leave their home in Richwoods, Missouri, about 55 miles southwest of St. Louis, on the afternoon of Oct. 6, 2002. She admitted to still getting scared when walking the streets at night. Daily News & Weather Updates Shawn Hornbeck stays close to his mother, Pam Akers, during a press conference Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Richwoods, the morning after he was found along with Ben Ownby in a Kirkwood apartment. [He] is doing really well, a retired sheriff who worked on his case told the paper. In 1972, when he was just 7 years old, a stranger convinced him that his mother had asked him to pick Stayner up and bring him home. You look at a lot of things," Nothum said. In 2012, a few of the victims spoke out for the first time about their ordeal, a few admitting that they still suffer from psychological trauma from the experience. And he said, Ill never forget this, he said, Nah, boy just get in the truck. And thats when I bolted and I ran, said Palmer. Who was Kenneth Parnell's accomplice? Hes gotten to where it doesnt bother him anymore., There wasnt a day when I didnt think he was just gonna kill me, Hornbeck told CBS in 2008. Shawn Hornbeck married and became a father. Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. He was torn away from rural Richwoods, Mo., and taken to Kirkwood, more than 60 miles away. Many have speculated that the teen is a victim of Stockholm Syndrome, a trauma-induced psychological condition in which a kidnapping victim or hostage develops feelings of loyalty toward his or her captor. We would talk about a lot of nonsignificant things, and then, once I would steer the conversation back, our focus was on Ben, Willett said. Writer Michelle McNamara died in her sleep on April 21, 2016. Speaking to the host, he said that he had used the internet to ask his parents a heartbreaking question. They had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin. Since then, Shasta has struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, but in a 2015 interview, said she was getting her life back on track and was on her way to being a mother. Authorities say Devlins confession that January day ended years of abuse, threats and manipulation for Hornbeck, whom Devlin abducted in October 2002. Their discovery became known as the Missouri Miracle.. We located Ben this afternoon in the City of Kirkwood and we also located Shawn Hornbeck, who was at the same residence. The news spread all across the world. Shawn Hornbeck, 15, gets a hug from his mother Pam Akers as his stepfather Craig Akers touches his head Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007 in Richwoods, Mo. Photo: AP Photo/Tom Gannam; AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, 24 Years After White Supremacists Lynched Her Dad, Daughter Speaks Out About Trauma and Journey to Peace, Daughter Sues Hospital for 'Assault, Battery, and False Imprisonment' of Kidney Patient Father, Retired Mo. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. That inmate, identified as Troy Fenton, wrote a letter to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and said he attacked Devlin because of the heinous nature of Devlins crimes. Listen Now On Jan. 12, 2007, Ben Ownby, 13, and Shawn Hornbeck, 15, were saved from Michael Devlin's apartment in St. Louis County. A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more. Police went on a search for Hornbeck, but were unable to discover the boys whereabouts. Shawn would go on to recount his experience on television where he detailed his abuse, the lies he was forced to tell, and his years in the apartment. Shawn was with him in the pickup. In 2011, she described her kidnapper as a cool mom.. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. My Spidey-senses were up, almost immediately.. Palmer said he was scrolling through stories on YouTube about children whod been abducted and were able to escape later. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Find out where she is today following the death of her daughter, Caylee. Once a cold case, the Missouri Miracle serves as evidence that determination, quick thinking, and an eye for detail can bring sometimes justice. He was 11 years old. Sweet because Shawn was back home after having been . While aiding the investigation of finding the Golden State Killer, Michelle McNamara passed away at the age of 46, just a short time before the killer was found. On Monday night, friends and family arrive at the Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto for the visitation of Craig Akers. Since then, Elizabeth, now 34, has been a vocal advocate for child safety rights. Knowing what its like being on the other side and potentially what may have happened and what may have led up to her final moments and understanding probably a lot of what she was feeling, its heartbreaking.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Craig Akers died July 15, 2019, from bladder cancer. His widow, Pam, and son Shawn apparently share a special bond that is helping them during this time of loss. So, today, at the age of 59, Cary Stayner is incarcerated at the San Quentin State Prison. In May of that year, the Akers family determined they didnt have the time and resources necessary to commit to the foundation and rescue team. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. After hearing the news of Ownbys abduction, true crime investigator and late wife of comedian Patton Oswalt, Michelle McNamara began investigating the boys abduction. The second boy was Shawn Hornbeck, who had disappeared more than four years earlier from his own rural neighborhood of Washington County. He said a police report was filed at the time, but years passed and it became a distant memory. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved The following day, the FBI followed a tip on a white pick-up truck that brought them to a pizzeria in Kirkwood. Using the name Shawn Devlin, he cryptically wrote, How long are you planning to look for your son?. Their cases made national news. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, They had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin . . Authorities are investigating pictures of Shawn Hornbeck that were apparently taken during the four years the Missouri teen was missing. ', His father Craig said he could remember the message, telling the host:'I remember reading it, I remember thinking to myself either this is someone with that name or this is someone trying to yank my chain.'. The truck matched a description given by 15-year-old Mitchell Hults of a vehicle he spotted in the vicinity of Ownbys abduction. His story made national headlines in 2007 as the "Missouri Miracle. 18:50 GMT 12 Jan 2021. But like most kidnapped kids who are later found, she still struggles with the aftermath. All rights reserved. Lynn Willett (@lynnwillett9) January 13, 2015. .success{color:#000; font-size:14px; font-weight:bold} Since her ordeal made headlines in 2009, Jaycee, now 41, has published two memoirs and continues to speak publicly about her experience. Did Patty Hearst have Stockholm syndrome? Scroll through the gallery below to see before-and-after photos of famous kids from criminal cases. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. Hornbeck, of Richwoods, Mo., had disappeared on Oct. 6, 2002, while riding his bike to a friend's home. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. Five years later, we watched together as Shawn Hornbeck was found alive. In 2013, with the help of a local radio station, she attended her first prom. Undergoing horrible ordeals as children, from kidnapping to abuse, they all managed to survive and tell their stories. Its a good feeling knowing somebody that would do good for anybody, said Hattie Wall. The man who fathered kidnapped teen Shawn Hornbeck was a convicted sex offender who did three years in a Missouri prison on drug and sodomy charges, The Post has learned. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Throughout her captivity, Alicia was chained by the neck, sexually assaulted, and her torture was live-streamed. McNamara, who also led the investigation into the Golden State Killer, found many connections between the two boys. Shawn Hornbeck was alive and had been living with Devlin as a hostage for over four years. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. A description of the vehicle that was wanted in connection with Ben Ownby's kidnapping led police to an apartment complex in the 400 block of South Holmes Street in Kirkwood. Shawn had taken this path many times before but this time, Shawn passed by Mike Devlin who bumped him with his truck. Craig was a dedicated family man. LOUIS - Six months ago, Shawn Hornbeck disappeared again. 'It was surprising. After being attacked with an ice pick behind bars, Devlin was placed in protective custody to live out his sentence. 15:21 GMT 12 Jan 2021 10 years after the 'Missouri Miracle': Shawn Hornbeck speaks out about his ordeal. In 2005, serial killer Joseph E. Duncan III broke into 8-year-old Shastas home, killing her mother, stepfather and brother and kidnapping Shasta, who was tortured for two months before being found by a Dennys employee, who called the police. Steven had a difficult life after his escape and died at age 24 in a . Severe Weather He even reportedly attended a local school dance in December with a girl students described as his "girlfriend.". The pair talked for hours. The discovery that Hornbeck was still alive after his abduction near Richwoods in 2003, was dubbed, "The Missouri Miracle". On December 4, 1972, Stayner, age 7, was abducted in Merced, California by child molester Kenneth Parnell. I had a sense very early on, based on the way he was answering questions, that it wasnt quite adding up.. Shawn told no one about his situation, and nobody in Kirkwood suspected that he was the missing boy from Richmond - 50 miles away. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. From Elizabeth Smart to Jaycee Dugard, these kids from famous crime cases are both horrifying and inspiring. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? Meanwhile, for his tip and information, Mitchell Hults received a reward that included a new pickup truck. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Devlin pleaded guilty to all the charges and received 74 life sentences and an additional term of 2,020 years. Due to lack of funds and time, The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation was closed, but members helped found the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team to continue the work. In 1996, Tanya was abducted by Thomas Hose, her middle school janitor. Shawn Hornbeck married and became a father. Ownby was kidnapped in January of 2007 in Beaufort and it was during that investigation that Ownby and Hornbeck were found in Devlins Kirkwood apartment. Ill. coroner explains how wife didnt notice body, Check out these new must-see Missouri attractions, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Palmer has gone so far as to write out his story and sign a sworn affidavit that his claims are accurate. Contests & Promotions, 2023, The Networks of Mid-Missouri Columbia, MO USA, JC Public Works announces more street closures, Federal grand jury indicts man on hate crime charges after he allegedly shot 2 Jewishmen in Los Angelesin February, All flights grounded at airport near Penn State University over suspicious device, 100 passengers bused to campus, Fire at Indonesian fuel storage station kills at least 16, A string of gruesome cat killings has this Japanese city on edge. The guy tried to entice me to his vehicle. Is dumpster diving legal in Missouri and Illinois? Both boys allegedly had been kidnapped by Devlin . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Hornbeck, now 25, attended private school after his rescue and later got a factory job in Missouri, according to the Post-Dispatch. Shawn, who was missing since Oct. 2002, was. I dont remember his exact words, but he realized the time had come, Willett said. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Mom who lost both sons to fentanyl blasts laughing Biden, Moment teenager crashes into back of lorry after 100mph police race, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Bizarre moments in Alex Murdaugh double murder trial so far, Stolen car crashes into another car causing building to collapse, Ukrainian soldier takes out five tanks with Javelin missiles. During the conversation, Willett cajoled a confession from Devlin. Later, Devlin admitted he kidnapped Ben because Shawn was getting too old for his liking, unwittingly confirming McNamaras theory. Shawn Hornbeck stays close to his mother, Pam Akers, during a press conference Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, in Richwoods, the morning after he was found along with Ben Ownby in a Kirkwood. Thats when he said he came across a story on Shawn Hornbeck and he says he saw a photo of Michael Devlin. TwitterShawn Hornbeck hugs his family after being rescued from the home of Michael Devlin. Palmer told News 4 that his father married a woman from Robinson,. See the 'Counting On' Kids' Houses, Look How Much the Little Couple's Kids Will and Zoey Have Grown Up, Every Look From the Kardashian-Jenner Family at the 2021 Met Gala, Take a Tour of All the Houses (and Apartments) the Duggars Call Home, Smart spoke out after Gabby Petitos missing person case, Janelle Loves How Christines Boyfriend David Treats Her, Return to Amish's Sabrina and New BF Are 'Happy' After Baby No. When they arrived, Shawn and Ben were inside playing video games. Mitchell Hults of Franklin County saw the truck near the scene of the crime, telling investigators. Other members of the organization founded the Missouri Valley Search and Rescue Team to continue the mission of helping families of missing children and adults. That is, until April 2020 after he started volunteering for a non-profit in Canada called, Operation Underground Railroad, that works to combat human trafficking. Both boys were discovered inside Devlin's apartment shortly thereafter. On Oct. 6, 2002, 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck straddled his lime green bike and headed to a friends house near Richwoods, Missouri, a small town just outside of St. Louis. Hornbeck and Ownby were discovered after police noticed Devlins white pickup truck in the apartment complex parking lot. Once found, Natascha gave dozens of interviews, released two memoirs, and even had a film based on her ordeal. One of the most disturbing of the more than a dozen images obtained by KTVI appears to show Hornbeck with his face shrouded in a red bandana pointing a gun at the camera. On Jan. 12, 2007, police serving an unrelated warrant at the apartment complex where Devlin lived in Kirkwood, Mo., spotted a white pick-up truck that matched the description of the one reportedly used in the abduction of Ownby four days earlier in Beaufort, Mo. Contrary to what Browne told the family on national television, Shawn was still alive. The couple appeared on The Montel Williams Show shortly after Shawns abduction to raise awareness of the case. The two lived alternatively as father and son, or family friends. .error{color:#000; font-size:14px; font-weight:bold} On October 6, 2002, Shawn Hornbeck left home on his bicycle in the rural area of Richwoods, Missouri. When then-FBI Special Agent Lynn Willett went to a pizza shop in Kirkwood, Missouri, 10 years ago, she did not expect to leave with a kidnapper in custody. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey just days after being reunited with Shawn, the Akerses said they believed their son was sexually abused during his captivity. In 1976, 26 children and their bus driver were kidnapped and buried alive in an underground van that survivors would later describe as a "coffin." But thats exactly what happened, the retired agent remembered in a recent interview looking back on the Missouri Miracle, when two missing boys were discovered abducted by the same man. He remains on death row as of July 2021, but there have been zero executions in the state of California since a 2006 court ruling on the flaws found in the management of capital punishment. Bens abduction and Hults quick thinking would eventually turn out to be Shawns salvation. Both he and Ben Ownby still live in the St. Louis area. They said they stayed close to him to help with his transition. Willett said Devlin told her he was a bad person and admitted to having both Ben and Shawn. But he was able to send them a message on a website that had been set up to help find him, using his real name. 1, 'Welcome to Plathville' Kim Plath's DUI Case Closed: Fine, More Details, Sister Wives Kody, Robyn Were With a Mystery Blonde: Identity Revealed, Megan Fox and MGK's Relationship Is 'Toxic': 'There Is Concern for Her', Farrah Abraham Slams Mom-Shamers Over Daughter Sophias Piercings, Jon Gosselin Is 'Open' With Kids Collin, Hannah About Their Dating Lives. But a chance encounter, the dedication of the boys parents, and the work of a now-famous true crime writer would lead to a remarkable rescue that became known as the Missouri Miracle.. Is dumpster diving legal in Missouri and Illinois? Have a tip? Palmer said he remembers the face of the man who tried to abduct him 22 years ago, but it wasnt until recently he put the name of Michael Devlin, to that face. Looking at the side of his neck, I could see the pulse quicken, I could see a physiological change, when we would talk about the abduction.. He was 57. Pictured with Hornbeck are his parents. The falsehoods hurt the family, but may have fueled the search to find their son alive. That wouldnt be the last time Browne fabricated details about someones disappearance. In Beaufort, on January 8, 2007, he kidnapped Ben Ownby from a bus stop, with Shawn in the pick up truck with him. After a dozen days later, Patty was spotted wielding an assault weapon on a bank surveillance camera during an SLA bank robbery. Willett was following a lead on Jan. 12, 2007, in the case of Ben Ownby, a 13-year-old who had gone missing days earlier. On this day in 2007, Shawn Hornbeck was finally reunited with his parents after he vanished without trace while riding his bike in Missouri four years earlier. Thats what many folks remember about Craig his selflessness. In 2016, Burke, now 34, broke his silence and gave his first interview on Dr. Phil. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Tortured and threatened with death, Hornbeck had allowed Devlin to present him as his son. A Missouri man who became part of an international story is being remembered for his selflessness. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, BEFORE YOU GO: What to know for CITY SCs home opener, Win a Midday Makeover from Studio STL and West County, Hold my beer its time to sign up for the St. Patricks, Tims Travels: Dreaming in silestone and slabs its, Downtown is turning green for St. Patricks Day Parade, The 7brew Crew brings kindness, joy and of course,, Freshen up finds: Give your skin a slug-hug, What the Cluck! After Shawns disappearance, Pam and Craig Akers dedicated every second of their lives to finding their son. Palmer told News 4 that his father married a woman from Robinson, Illinois and in December 1998 he traveled there with his father and stepmother. Required fields are marked *. He was held by his abductor 200 miles away in Mendocino County, California until he was 14, when he managed to escape with another of Parnells victims, Timothy White. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. They've changed, but I could recognise them in 20 more years, instantly,' he told Winfrey, before adding that while he had access to the internet and a phone, he was unable to contact them. The Most Binge-Worthy True Crime Docs You Have to Watch Now, Why Did the Menendez Brothers Kill Their Parents? It is hard to even come up with words to express the feeling. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. The comments below have not been moderated, By Ownby, 23, lives and attends school in the St. Louis area, according to the Post-Dispatch. Craig sadly passed away in 2019 from bladder cancer aged 57, with Pam saying she was 'so grateful he got to spend more time with Shawn'. Al Nothum of the Missouri Highway Patrol said the first thing police want to know is who took the photos. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Both he and Ben Ownby still live in the St. Louis area. What nobody knew at the time was that Shawn was still alive and had been taken to an apartment in Kirkwood, where hed live with his kidnapper for the next four years. As he peddled through the small-town streets he was bumped by a white truck. Shawn Hornbeck was missing for over four years before being discovered on January 12, 2007, along with another teenage boy. Ownby was taken for five days in January 2007 and the search for him inadvertently solved both cases. DE SOTO, Mo. In her post, Smart says So happy to welcome Olivia to our family! In 2002, Smart was kidnapped at age 14 from her Salt Lake City bedroom by street preacher Brian David Mitchell and held captive for nine months. She lives in Utah with her husband and two-year-old daughter. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | KMIZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News Ill. coroner explains how wife didnt notice body, Check out these new must-see Missouri attractions, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.