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They also started the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation to help other families find their missing and abducted children. As you know, police found 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck in an apartment of 41-year-old Michael Devlin last week, along with 13-year-old Ben Ownby. But that wasnt his only crime. FILE Shawn Hornbeck and his parents, Pam and Craig Akers, in 2013. 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. He was 14 years old at the time. Your email address will not be published. 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. In 2011, she described her kidnapper as a cool mom.. Once Willett got in line for lunch at the pizzeria, Devlins behavior immediately raised her concerns, she told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in a Wednesday interview. "We're not just looking at the person in the picture, but obviously you look at everything in the background or the quality of the film or of the digital picture. Shawn told no one about his situation, and nobody in Kirkwood suspected that he was the missing boy from Richmond - 50 miles away. Mitchell Hults of Franklin County saw the truck near the scene of the crime, telling investigators. In 2014, it appears Hornbeck tweeted about Willett by name, writing, Thank you to Lynn Willet for giving me back freedom., She later replied, on the 2015 anniversary of his freedom, Today will always have great meaning for me and my team. I dont know what to say to that, because I know thats not what happened, he said. The disappearance and reunion with Shawn made international headlines. 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.. He was 57. 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Following Ownbys abduction, true-crime writer and internet sleuth Michelle McNamara examined the case and discovered a connection between Ownbys kidnapping and Hornbecks disappearance. We have some good news for you and probably some unbelievable news. As he peddled through the small-town streets he was bumped by a white truck. Both he and Ben Ownby still live in the St. Louis area. He was told to go in first, so as to not raise any alarm with the boys. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. Their cases made national news. Sweet because Shawn was back home after having been . On a daily basis you get so many weird, out there message.'. Now 34, Carlina goes by Netty and her story has been turned into a Lifetime movie, Abducted: The Carlina White Story. We sat and spoke for quite a while, Willett told the paper. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. She was found six years later with the help of a grocery store clerk who called the police for her. The man who kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby was identified as Michael J. Devlin, a pizza-restaurant manager. On October 6, 2002, Shawn, aged. Authorities say Devlins confession that January day ended years of abuse, threats and manipulation for Hornbeck, whom Devlin abducted in October 2002. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He is serving 74 life sentences. ', Shawn replied: 'I was hoping it might give some sort of hint. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. The young boy believed his family would be harmed if he attempted to escape or contact the police. I never forgot his face, he said. Alicias Law directs $5 million of leftover state lottery funds to locate and prosecute people participating in the sexual exploitation of children. He and Ben Ownby, another kidnapped boy, were found in the suburban St. Louis apartment of. The man who kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby was identified as Michael J. Devlin, a pizza-restaurant manager. 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. All rights reserved. It was 1980. That fall Devlin pleaded guilty to multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault and was sentenced to 74 life . 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'. Just one day before the miraculous discovery, McNamara theorized Ownby was targeted because of his youthful appearance. Ill. coroner explains how wife didnt notice body, Check out these new must-see Missouri attractions, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Shawn Hornbeck era un nio de 11 aos que fue secuestrado el 6 de octubre de 2002 mientras montaba en bicicleta en un pequeo pueblo rural del condado de Washington llamado Richwoods, en el estado de Missouri, Estados Unidos, a unas 50 millas de la segunda ciudad ms grande del estado, St. Louis. In the interview, Oprah asked: 'I had read that you had gone to the Internet site to asked 'how long will you be looking for your son'. She lives in Utah with her husband and two-year-old daughter. ", In a 2013 interview, Shawn, then 21, said, "You cant give up. Crack the case in FOXNews.com's Crime Center. He was transferred to Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri. Shawn was also made to pose as his abductors son. It's one of the most perplexing questions to emerge from the tale of the two missing Missouri boys who were found last Friday: why didn't Shawn Hornbeck, 15, the older of the two, simply flee?. Shawn planned to ride his bike to a . Desperate for help, they appeared on an episode of The Montel Williams Show, where the self-proclaimed medium Sylvia Browne told the couple falsely that their son was dead. She and another agent headed to the Kirkwood pizzeria because its manager, Michael Devlin, owned a truck that looked suspiciously similar to one that had been seen near the site of Ownbys abduction. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. In 1996, Tanya was abducted by Thomas Hose, her middle school janitor. The officers questioned Devlin, but he refused to let them search his apartment. 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. After a dozen days later, Patty was spotted wielding an assault weapon on a bank surveillance camera during an SLA bank robbery. On Monday night, friends and family arrive at the Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto for the visitation of Craig Akers. News 4 contacted the FBI but a spokesperson said they could neither confirm nor deny a complaint had been filed and an investigation was underway. His story made national headlines in 2007 as the "Missouri Miracle. Shawn was found alive and his kidnapper arrested in January 2007. Devlin went to Beaufort, Missouri, where he kidnapped Ben Ownby from his bus stop. Steven had a difficult life after his escape and died at age 24 in a . 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. I have them because I survived.. She was found alive nine months later and her kidnappers, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee, were both arrested and charged with kidnapping and rape. 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. It has touched everyone, what this familys been through, and what Craig did for other families also, said Todd Mahn, the owner of the funeral home. Willett said Devlin broke after she told him that tire tracks could be crucial evidence in Ownbys disappearance. 10 years after the 'Missouri Miracle': Shawn Hornbeck speaks Loaded Progress 0:00 / 2:40 Video Quality 576p 540p 360p 270p Video: Ten years after the 'Missouri Miracle', ex-FBI agent recalls. Shawn, who was missing since Oct. 2002, was. It was the case of Steven Stayner, who escaped from his abductor after the man took another child. ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) Ten years ago today, the FBI stormed into a small Kirkwood apartment complex and rescued Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby, marking the day many call The Missouri Miracle. In October 2002, the then 11-year-old Hornbeck was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friends home in Washington County. Since then, Elizabeth, now 34, has been a vocal advocate for child safety rights. Task force officials say the images are a top priority, but are not sure at this point how important they will be to their ongoing investigation. Once found, Natascha gave dozens of interviews, released two memoirs, and even had a film based on her ordeal. Contrary to what Browne told the family on national television, Shawn was still alive. The Hornbecks hope that the photos can be used as evidence to build a case against Devlin, Sherman said. Meanwhile, for his tip and information, Mitchell Hults received a reward that included a new pickup truck. Chris Jewers For Mailonline If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. 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. 90 Day Fiance's Hamza's Green Card Status 'Battle' Amid Memphis Divorce. According to Palmer, while walking back from a video rental store, a man in a pickup pulled up and tried to get Palmer to accept a ride. Shawn said the message had been a cry for hope, and at the time, he just wanted his life to get back to normal - to return to school, to work and to spend more time with his family - including his two sisters. Though Ben was two years older than Shawn, he looked young for his age, and both. or redistributed. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The pair talked for hours. On Monday night, friends and family arrive at the Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto for the visitation of Craig Akers. But this time, Devlin was seen kidnapping the boy. The comments below have not been moderated, By Driving his pickup, he knocked Hornbeck off his bike and kidnapped him. Its finding out who that guy was and what he did to two other kids and that he would have done the same to me. Devlin confessed to both kidnappings. Shawn Hornbeck In 2002, Shawn was abducted while riding his bike with a friend and was found five years later. Thats what many folks remember about Craig his selflessness. Shawn Hornbeck, left, the boy who was held captive for over four years and finally freed in January from the St. Louis area apartment of Michael Devlin, makes a putt as his dad Craig Akers watches . Shawn had taken this path many times before but this time, Shawn passed by Mike Devlin who bumped him with his truck. Shes now a spokesperson for the anti-pornography group, Fight the New Drug. Market data provided by Factset. Once it started to rain, they asked him if he wanted to sit in their car for shelter. Today, Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby have found some sense of normalcy, living peacefully with their families in St. Louis. 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Abducted from the street in 2002 when she was just six years old, Erica made national news when she managed to break free from her kidnappers by chewing through the duct tape that was bound around her wrists. They had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin . The Most Binge-Worthy True Crime Docs You Have to Watch Now, Why Did the Menendez Brothers Kill Their Parents? Devlin pleaded guilty more then 70 times Tuesday to a litany of horrific crimes. Later, Devlin admitted he kidnapped Ben because Shawn was getting too old for his liking, unwittingly confirming McNamaras theory. Patriot Guard members will escort Akers to his final resting place Tuesday in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with full military honors. Even now theyre strong together, said Jason Huncovsky, Akers son-in-law. Hornbeck, now 25, attended private school after his rescue and later got a factory job in Missouri, according to the Post-Dispatch. It is hard to even come up with words to express the feeling. For Smart, she was able to turn her traumatic experience with being kidnapped at 14 into an advocacy career. Devlin will spend the rest of his life in prison, but not until one last court appearance today. A Missouri man who became part of an international story is being remembered for his selflessness. Palmer has gone so far as to write out his story and sign a sworn affidavit that his claims are accurate. Authorities are investigating pictures of Shawn Hornbeck that were apparently taken during the four years the Missouri teen was missing. He was sexually abused, with Devlin later telling FBI agents that as Shawn got older, he had begun looking for a younger boy to take. . Shawns case had gone cold, and very little information about Ben was known. Hes into video production and has shown me some of his work.. Is Every Duggar Ridiculously Messy? The truck belonged to store manager Michael Devlin, who eventually agreed to a search by agents Lynn Willett and Tina Richter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Stayner got in the car and wasn't seen again for eight years. Prosecutors in Franklin, Washington, and St. Louis counties hit Devlin with dozens of charges, including kidnapping, use of a deadly weapon, molestation, and production of child pornography. Bens abduction and Hults quick thinking would eventually turn out to be Shawns salvation. Speaking out for the first time, Shawn Hornbeck says his four years of being held captive . 18:50 GMT 12 Jan 2021. 'You get so many of these messages. Your email address will not be published. Was that a way to connect with them? In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Five years later, we watched together as Shawn Hornbeck was found alive. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation ceased operations in 2013. Since her 2003 rescue, Smart credits her Mormon faith and her supportive, loving family as helping her deal with the aftermath of trauma. The following day, the FBI followed a tip on a white pick-up truck that brought them to a pizzeria in Kirkwood. 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. Hornbeck was reported missing by his family on Oct. 5, 2002, after he didn't return home from school in Richwoods, Mo. Maybe its part of my mission, to reach out and offer hope., Hornbeck also showed off two tattoos he had, one on each forearm: faith and respect.. An 11-year-old went missing in rural Missouri while riding his bike in 2002. Another child, 13, went missing five years later. Craig was a dedicated family man. Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. "The family looks at it like this: With what they've been through in the last four and a half years in getting Shawn back, they can deal with anything," Sherman said. I was looking at him saying, Youre safe. . Im an important cog in it, but its a personal thing for each boy and their family. She admitted to still getting scared when walking the streets at night. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Twisted Saga Of Michael Peterson, Kathleen Peterson, And The Real Story Behind 'The Staircase', Meet Mehmed II, The Ottoman Ruler Who Conquered Constantinople And The Last Vestige Of The Roman Empire, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. 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. He is currently serving 71 life sentences after being convicted of kidnapping and child sexual abuse atWestern Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri. 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. At the time of his arrest, Hornbeck also lived with Shawns older sisters, Jackie and Jennifer, who were then 7 and 6, respectively. What did you feel doing that? How to get started raising backyard, Windshield covers and other handy gear you need for, 18 trendy cowboy boots to wear this winter, 18 books youll want to read on Dr. Seuss Day, STL Co. stakeholders look for juvenile crime solutions, STL County school district still recovering from, Block party kicks off history making weekend for, Woman shot in Schnucks parking lot in St. Peters, Mo lawmakers back ban on Chinese ownership of land, Lawsuit: Muslims praying at Missouri prison pepper-sprayed, Local organization host fundraiser for Janae Edmondson, Heavy rain, wind slam St. Louis region on Friday, Man shot and killed on his front porch in Illinois, New contract, pay raises expected soon for STL police, Warren County man charged in counterfeit money scheme, TSA at Lambert warns travelers about flights ahead. Willett and the others saw two boys playing video games in the apartment: Ben Ownby, whom they immediately recognized, and a now 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck. 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. Akers served in the United States Air Force and was a member of Patriot Guard. 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. For the four years that followed, Shawn believed that his family would be harmed if he tried to run. It was a bittersweet Christmas for Craig and Pam Akers and their 16-year-old son, Shawn Hornbeck. #subscriptionResponse{color:#000; font-size:14px; font-weight:bold}. How old is Shawn Hornbeck today? The couple appeared on The Montel Williams Show shortly after Shawns abduction to raise awareness of the case. Hornbeck and Ownby were discovered after police noticed Devlins white pickup truck in the apartment complex parking lot. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Devlin pleaded guilty to all the counts against him and was sentenced to 72 years behind bars. In 2002, Shawn was abducted while riding his bike with a friend and was found five years later. Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Its their story to tell.. She was 46. Did Patty Hearst have Stockholm syndrome? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. "Craig was a dedicated family man. The discovery that Hornbeck was still alive after his abduction near Richwoods in 2003, was dubbed, The Missouri Miracle. He glanced up once and then he didnt look at all, she said. ', 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.'. KIRKWOOD - Fourteen years ago today in a suburb of St. Louis called Kirkwood, Missouri, the term Missouri Miracle came about. After 13 hours, and with the help of their bus driver, they managed to break free and were rescued. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? On Jan. 8, 2007, Devlin abducted Ben Ownby at a bus stop in Beaufort, Missouri. That was more traumatizing than the original event itself, he said. During the investigation we found out that he did go looking for other children and he had about a sixty-mile radius around the area where he lived going over into Illinois and into Missouri, said Toelke. 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. What is Shawn Hornbeck doing today? What They've Said, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). 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. 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. ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOV) A Canadian man learned the man who tried to abduct him years ago, was Michael Devlin. Both boys were discovered inside Devlin's apartment shortly thereafter. Devlin confessed to both kidnappings. Is dumpster diving legal in Missouri and Illinois? 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 was torn away from rural Richwoods, Mo., and taken to Kirkwood, more than 60 miles away. 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.