He told officials that he did not want the youngster to go through what he had. Alvaro Lojacono and Alessio Casimirri managed to flee to Switzerland and Nicaragua, respectively. Steven would later tell Lori that, "I was not going to let that child go through what I had already been through. He was simply following the instructions of Kenneth Parnell. As reported by The Famous People, the man, who was later identified as Ervin Edward Murphy, said he was a representative of a local church and was seeking donations for his parish. After Steven said his mother would be interested in donating, Murphy offered to take the boy home. Just after midnight on the fateful night, Brian Mitchell snuck into Smarts bedroom, held a knife to her throat and told her not to make a sound. He went through a traumatic experience, and came out stronger instead of letting it defeat him. On the afternoon of December 4, 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was walking home from school in Merced, California, when he was approached by a man passing out religious pamphlets. But the transition back to normal life was tough. Timmy White testified in that trial; the Stayner family still keeps in contact with White.). He was given a life sentence without parole. Parnell wasn't alone. After convincing the boy his parents did not want him anymore, he changed his name to Dennis Parnell. Because of Stevens heroics Timothy did not have the years and years of abuse to recover from that his savior did. Ervin T Murphy, 55. Stayner was seven at the time. Barbara Mathias, Parnell's girlfriend who lived with him and Stayner for some time, was never charged with any violation and cooperated with authorities in Parnell's trials. He was is training to become a security officer, had joined the church, and volunteered his time to help others who had gone through similar traumas. Officially, the Red Brigades held him in an apartment in Via Camillo Montalcini in Rome. While looking through the windows of the store, Cary said he "began to visualize himself killing the female cashiers.". In March of that year, Carole Sund, her daughter Julie, and Julie's friend Silvina Pelosso disappeared from the Cedar Lodge. The Washington Post A Kidnappers Story: Can Crime Pay? Steven knew what would happen to Timmy if he didnt act. View the profiles of professionals named "Edward Murphy" on LinkedIn. As far as awful, child-exploitation cases go, this one had a pretty happy ending, right? After that time he was in and out of juvenile custody for car theft and arson.[4][5]. In addition to assisting in the production of a miniseries based on his experience, Stayner became an advocate for preventing child abduction and helping victims of abuse. Castros house was demolished on August 7, 2013. Parnell was a master manipulator who had convinced his accomplice, the mentally-slow Ervin Murphy, that he was a religious leader whom God had called upon to spiritually guide a young boy. [16][17] According to prison officials, Parnell died of natural causes. (Parnell's cabin was, unbeknownst to Stayner, located only several hundred feet from his maternal grandfather's residence.) During this time Steven was being horribly abused and raped by Parnell, yet somehow still managed to do well in school when he was there. Hearst was an obvious kidnap target since she came from a wealthy and nationally recognized family. Parnell was arrested that day,[14] subsequently telling authorities "I wanted a family". [10] Unfamiliar with the city, Stayner decided the best option was to seek out the local police, who originally considered him a delinquent, until an exhaustive search of missing child posters and a piecemeal interrogation confirmed he was a missing child as well. The court dismissed Mitchells insanity defense, and on May 25, 2011, he was found guilty and sentenced to two life sentences. Stayner died in 1989 of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.[12]. Mr. Parnell's attorneys argued that Steven could have left at any time in his seven-year stay but chose not to. After Steven said his mother would be. As reported by ABC News, Lori Duke, who went to school with Stayner, but knew him as Dennis Parnell, said, "He had a great personality. There were traces of sand in the socks and pockets (the reason why Moros brother believed he was held near the beach) and traces of vegetables. Parnell then told Stayner that he was now his legal guardian so the boy must call him Dad. He even started calling the child Dennis Gregory Parnell and enrolled him in different schools in California. His earliest memory of one such fantasy happened when he was just 7 years old and waiting in the car while his parents were in the grocery store. He used to look through newspapers and TV reports to see if they were looking for him. (Years later, in 2004, while in his 70s, Parnell was sentenced to 25 years to life for attempting to buy a 4-year-old boy for $500. To spend 7 years obsessing over their kidnapped son, only to watch his life fall apart after his return, and then for him to die once things were finally going well? Statue of Limitations Invoked. According to a July 1999 article in the SF Gate (then the San Francisco Chronicle), Cary Stayner was voted the "most creative" student of his Merced High School graduating class. On December 4, 1972, in Merced, California, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was approached by a man who claimed to be collecting money for his church. As reported by ABC News, Kenneth Parnell treated Steven Stayner like a son. Kenneth Eugene Parnell was born in Amarillo, Texas[1][2] to Cecil Frederick and Mary Olive (ne Pollard) Parnell, during the region's dust bowl era during the Great Depression. Police swooped in and arrested Mitchell and Barzee, and Smart returned home to her family that same day. And soon Steven had a new little brother in Parnells sick scheme, 7 year old Timothy White. On July 24, 1999, Cary confessed to killing four women, who had all been guests at the lodge where he was employed. Timothy White. (Parnell's cabin was, unbeknownst to Stayner, located only several hundred feet from his maternal grandfather's . Cary was caught when witnesses identified his 1979 International Scout, which had been parked outside of Joie Armstrong's cabin. The two publicly made peace with a hug. The story of Steven's kidnapping goes like this: the young boy was walking home from school one day when he was approached by a man named Edward Ervin Murphy, who said he'd give him a ride home.. Murphy convinced the seven-year-old to get into Parnell's car, Parnell then took Steven to his cabin and repeatedly assaulted him for the next seven years. Mr. Poorman was 16 at the time of the kidnapping; he was sent to reform school. Then, in the summer of 1997, Cary began working as a maintenance man at the Cedar Lodge in El Portal, Calif. which was located on Highway 140 leading up to Yosemite. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Stayner was taken to Catheys Valley. On December 4th, 1972, 7 year old Steven Stayner was walking home from school when he was approached by a man handing out religious pamphlets and soliciting for charity donations. On March 1, when Parnell was out for the evening, Steven took Timothy and fled the house. According to the SF Gate, by the time Parnell took Steven, he was already a convicted child rapist. He also drank, suppressing any true feelings about what had occurred, his sister said. Though the parents admitted as much, the jury didnt buy it though, especially since he admitted to fantasizing about killing women since before his brothers kidnapping. It will be up to the judge. He befriended a co-worker named Ervin Murphy to assist him in the abduction. A new Hulu documentary series, Captive Audience, looks back at a remarkable story with a terrifying twist, about a family that could best be described as cursed. However, his sexual abuse of the boy never stopped. Finally, Barzee was convicted in 2009 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. On March 16, 1978, a group of terrorists called the Red Brigades attacked Moros car and killed both of the politicians bodyguards and the three policemen in the car behind him. On the day of her abduction, Knight was due to appear in court regarding a child custody case revolving around her son, who was at that time in the custody of the state of Ohio. Thats because he was able to escape, with. Years later in interviews, Stayner admitted to intentionally sabotaging the kidnappings. Would I have been better off if I didnt?. See the article in its original context from. First, Parnell enlisted friend, Barbara Mathias (who had also molested Steven) to do the deed. President Jimmy Carter commuted her prison term in 1979, so she served just 22 months. Just like that, he was gone, leaving his parents with little else to do than post photos of their boy, follow dead-end leads and desperately hope. He was picked up by FBI agents while staying at a nudist colony. Ervin Edward Murphy, 38 years old, a Yosemite National Park janitor, was arrested last night and booked for investigation of assisting in kidnapping the boy, who told the police that a second man was involved with Kenneth E. Parnell in his abduction. Parnell and . Of course, the year after Cary graduated is also the year his brother returned home after being kidnapped for seven years, so a lot of the family's focus was rightfully shifted to Steven. Related To Lona Murphy, Almatean Murphy, Geneva Murphy, Robert Murphy, Antonio Murphy. Parnell was a master manipulator who had convinced his accomplice, the mentally-slow Ervin Murphy, that he was a religious leader whom God had called upon to spiritually guide a young boy . Ervin Edward Murphy, 38 years old, a Yosemite National Park janitor, was arrested last night and booked for investigation of assisting in kidnapping the boy, who told the police that a second. He was shuttled from place to place and enrolled in various schools as Dennis Parnell. The devastation of losing their son twice within 10 years was excruciating for Steven Stayner's parents. According to The Press Democrat, Kay Stayner said she "never did lose [her] hope" of finding her missing son. Cary would eventually use this attention, and the lack of attention, he received at this time as part of his excuse for the brutal murders. Edward Ervin Murphy (Unknown - Unknown) How do we create a person's profile? The Merced Police Department launched an extensive investigation and search effort. When she answered, a group of armed men and women known as the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) streamed in, beat up her fianc, and kidnapped Hearst. Lessons from History is a platform for writers who share ideas and inspirational stories from world history. Kenneth Parnell, accused of kidnapping 7-year-old Steven Stayner in 1972, was convicted today of abducting the youth who lived with him seven years. Parnell served five years of an eight-year sentence. All Rights Reserved. According to The Famous People, the couple eventually had two children, named Ashley and Steven, Jr. For the next seven years, Parnell and Steven (who Parnell called Dennis) moved around California while Steven was regularly raped and abused by Parnell. Lived In Hope Mills NC, Parkton NC. He immediately confessed. well, until the worst bout of luck ever, came upon the once joyfully reunited. . As he never had any rules, he rebelled when his parents forbade him from drinking alcohol and smoking. It was in February 1980 that Mr. Parnell kidnapped a second youth, 5-year-old Timmy White, officials said. [8], More than a decade after the sodomy case, Parnell was convicted of armed robbery in Utah. As he was not wearing a helmet, he suffered massive head trauma, which led to his death less than one hour after the accident occurred. View David Murphy results in Mesa, AZ including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. Also known as E Murphy, L Ervin. Murphy. He was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison. Of course, none of these boys were ever abandoned. I told you this was a depressing one guys, hope I didnt ruin your day. ABC News reports it was a "sleety, wintery day," and Stayner willingly followed Murphy into Parnell's car, as he expected the man to take him home. However, as they were walking toward Stayner's home, they were approached by another man, who was driving a white Buick. He brought along his friend and co-worker, Edward Ervin Murphy. Captive Audience is currently streaming on Hulu. The nation wept over Stevens bravery and resilience, and Parnell was taken into custody. Sometimes I blame myself. Once Steven was home again, attention was on him from every angle. New York Time Magazine 2 Convicted In 72 Kidnapping Of 7-Year-Old California Boy, Los Angeles Times Who Was Steven? On December 4, 1972, Parnell abducted seven-year-old Merced resident Steven Stayner with the help of Edward Ervin Murphy, a co-worker at the Yosemite Lodge, where Parnell worked as a night auditor. I guess seven years changed him, too. Initially, they wanted the release of various terrorists, but ultimately, they announced that Moro would be released in exchange for only one terrorist. Edward Murphy, Parnell's accomplice from the Stayner kidnapping, was sentenced to five years imprisonment and paroled after two years. The terrorists dumped Moros body in the trunk of a red Renault, and it was found in the historic center of Rome. As reported by The Famous People, both boys were reunited with their parents on May 2, 1980. According to Diane Stevens' testimony, Parnell requested that the child have a "clean" rectum, indicating sexual intentions. In fact he was nabbed in a 2004 sting operation in which he was trying to purchase a 4 year old online. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. After Steven said his mother would be interested in donating, Murphy offered to take the boy home. We adhere to all copyright laws and honour the wishes of the producers. Not only because she was the daughter of media mogul, William Randolph Hearst, but also because of the events that followed her abduction. ST. LOUIS No one knew what happened to the boy, no one saw a thing. In a 2000 interview about his 1951 crime, Parnell said he kidnapped and molested the boy because his wife was pregnant and that he "had to find another outlet. In speaking to ABC News, Lori said that Steven "had a great personality. Parnell claimed to have married a third and final time in 1968,[8] but no records were ever found to substantiate this. The young man then attempted suicide in 1991, and developed a drug habit. When the kidnapper left, he forgot to lock the large inside door, although the exterior storm door remained locked. According to a missing person file released by the FBIs National Crime Information Center (NCIC), there were a total of 89,637 active missing person records as of December 31, 2020; 34 percent of the records were of juveniles under the age of 18. She was wielding a gun and appeared to be a willing accomplice. The child was taken from a Ukiah street and stayed in a cabin that Mr. Parnell, who was then working as a hotel clerk, shared with young Stayner. On December 4, 1972, his seven-year-old younger brother Steven was abducted by Kenneth Parnell and his co-worker Edward Ervin Murphy. The prosecution successfully argued that sexual aids and pornography found in the apartment, along with Stevens' own testimony, were enough to prove that Parnell's intentions were criminal in nature. Castros property was confiscated, and he was also fined $100,000. Parnell and . 16-year-old Berry was his next victim on April 21, 2003, while 14-year-old DeJesus was his final capture on April 2, 2004. I wish I could tell you that Stayners story had a happy ending, but in reality, the poor man met a tragic end. In 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was walking down the street in his hometown of Merced, Calif. when a man named Kenneth Parnell lured him into his car under the guise of driving Steven home. Captive Audience looks like its going to be good. Battles/wars. Within hours, Steven was in a remote cabin being brainwashed into accepting that Parnell was now his legal guardian, with his parents consent. "When Steven came home, Cary was kind of put on the back shelf. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Eventually, the FBI caught Hearst in San Francisco on September 18, 1975, and she was arrested and charged with crimes including bank robbery. Follow More from Medium Daniel Ganninger in Fact World The Wonderful World of Completely Random Facts. Jody Stayner, who now lives in Montana, said she doesnt like talking about the past either, but said its important that lessons are learned from the case. Remembering Two Famous Kidnap Victims And How Their Story Touched the Hearts Of Many, Scenes Prove That Plants Are Actually Breathing, Unrecyclable Plastic Used To Make Roads With Impressive Results, Burial Ground Of The Midwife Of Jesus Unveils Treasures, Over A Million Dollars Is Thrown In The Trevi Fountain Each Year, And The Money Is Being Used To Feed The Poor. It's probably best to start with his brother's abduction. Stayner lived as Parnell's "son" for seven years, during which he was repeatedly sexually abused. A month after the bank robbery, they found an SLA safe house in Los Angeles, and in the ensuing shootout, six SLA members were killed, including their leader DeFreeze. On April 15, 1974, Hearst was captured on CCTV during an SLA bank robbery. While investigators were checking into Parnell's past, the 1951 sodomy conviction came to light, although at the time Stayner insisted that Parnell had not sexually abused him.[11]. Parnell, along with his friend Edward Ervin Murphy, brought Steven to a cabin in Catheys Valley. In 2004, Parnell received a 25-year sentence for trying to purchase a 4-year-old boy for $500. Steven publicly questioned if everyone would have been better off had he never come home, and allegedly at the behest of his father, declined to seek much counseling. All three accepted rides from Castro and in each case, he drove the girls to his home, lured them inside, and restrained them in his basement. While driving home from his job at a Pizza Hut on Sept. 16, 1989, his motorcycle collided with a car that pulled in front of him. According to Knight, Castro impregnated her five times but the beatings she sustained resulted in miscarriages on all but one occasion where Knight managed to resuscitate the baby. . In another CNN article, Parnell's lawyer, Deborah Levy, felt that his prior convictions weren't relevant to this case as they were over 30 years ago, and he shouldn't be judged for his past mistakes. The 5-year-old cried and begged to be taken home. [3] Parnell was raised mostly without his father, who abandoned the family when Parnell was six. And even if the two cases are similar, its impossible to make clear comparisons, given the differences in circumstances. . Barbara Mathias was never charged. We gather the news and films as we search the web and present them to our viewers. Stayner eventually began drinking more heavily, dropped out of high school, and left his parents' home. Parnell was caught and sentenced to seven years in prison, for which he only served five. He was living a more stable life along with his wife and 2 children. Kenneth Parnell is a predator, and his prey is young boys. The trusting boy soon got into a car with the man and another male driver, as they promised to drive him home and talk to his Mom about donating some items. When Stayner failed to return home from school, his parents contacted authorities immediately. One of the Red Brigades members apparently told Moro that he was pardoned, but instead; they placed him in a wicker basket and brought the politician to the parking lot of their base. He befriended a co-worker named Ervin Murphy to assist him in the abduction. It was later learned that Stevens family had sent fliers about their missing son to some of the schools he attended. Born in Missouri, USA on Dec 23 to Betty Yvonne White. In no time at all, Timothy was back home with Steven, but this didn't sit right with him. Police arrested the two kidnappers, but Murphy only served two years in prison while, incredibly, Parnell only served five years. Mr. Parnell was convicted in the White case earlier this year and sentenced to seven years in prison. So 16 days after Timmy went missing, Steven bolted with Timmy, and the two hitchhiked 40 miles to a police station in Ukiah, Calif. Ervin Murphy, the man who lured Steven into the car, went on to serve two years of a five-year sentence. And this final part, youre not going to believe. During this time, Steven was in and out of school but miraculously always did well while he was there. Join Facebook to connect with Edward Murphy and others you may know. Just half a decade later he was out on the streets, and (unsurprisingly) trying to find other kids to abuse. He was spunky. On December 4, 1972, Edward Ervin Murphy approached Steven as a seven-year-old after school. [14] He paid $100 for a birth certificate and had $400 on his person for the completion of the transaction when he was to receive the child on January 3, 2003. The Stayner family thought they lost their 7-year-old son, Steven Stayner, when he disappeared in 1972. The best result we found for your search is Ronald E Murphy age 80+ in Appleton, WI in the Erb Park neighborhood. 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 the church. Mr. Parnell sat expressionless as the decision, reached after two days of deliberation, was announced. Stayner was taken to a cabin in Catheys Valley, which was just a few hundred feet from his grandmothers home. In 1985, at the age of 20, Stayner married 17-year-old Jody Edmondson. So what did this monster, this horrid child-abusing, psychopath receive as punishment for committing the ultimate of cruelties? On December 4th, 1972, seven-year-old Steven Stayner was walking down the street near to his family home on his way home from school, when he was approached by Ervin Edward Murphy, a rather simple-minded, nave employee of nearby Yosemite National Park. Parnell began sexually abusing Stayner almost immediately. However, Mr. Murphy admitted in his testimony that he had attemp ted other kidnappings with Mr. Parnell. He was raised by his kidnapper to feel free to drink and smoke as he pleased, and this return to a healthy, normal home-life often put him at odds with his parents. It was the last time the women were seen alive. Just weeks after her return, Smart hiked with her family to the camp where she was held hostage for nine months. At some point, Steven was a freshman in Mendocino High School where he dated Lori Duke. Castro kidnapped 21-year-old Knight on August 23, 2002. I am a History Educator and a Lifelong Learner with a Masters in Global History. Hulu's Captive Audience docuseries takes viewers on a journey through a family history that at best is unlucky and at worst, is cursed. As Steven got older and entered puberty, Parnell's sexual interest in Stayner waned and Parnell sought a new boy to "build his family". He also has been convicted and jailed for robbery, larceny and abducting and molesting an 8-year-old boy, which occurred just after the birth of his only daughter. In February 1980, when Steven was 14 and was being told by Parnell that he was growing too old, according to Newsweek, Parnell came home with a new victim. However, he was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to death. Things didnt go great for Steven when he returned. Anyone can read what you share. In March 1951, Parnell was arrested for raping a young boy and impersonating a police officer; he was sentenced to four years in prison. And sadly, the emotionally invested are let down most of the time, as very few children abducted by predators return home alive. After attending high school in New Jersey, he went to the . What happened during those seven years and where is Kenneth Parnell now? Ervin Edward Murphy Remembering Two Famous Kidnap Victims And How Their Story Touched the Hearts Of Many Timothy White. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. He came upon Joie Armstrong, a 26-year-old naturalist, who was staying at a cabin by herself in Yosemite. Smarts traumatized sister, Mary Katherine, shared a bedroom with Elizabeth and was fortunate not to be taken on the night of the kidnapping. He was in the background always.". Resides in Fayetteville, NC. After the charred remains of the victims were found in Yosemite in 1997, police suspected Cary and he eventually came clean, but not before trying to negotiate with authorities to trade his confession for a jail supply ofchild pornography. Parnell drove to the tiny town of Ukiah, Calif. where he paid a local high school kid to help him find a younger boy. Murphy offered to take the boy to his house, and unfortunately, Stayner agreed. Here's What to Know About the Convicted Killer (EXCLUSIVE CLIP), Addicted to 'The Dropout'? Pair Moved From Town to Town. He worked with groups that searched for missing children, talked to kids about stranger danger and helped with a 1989 TV movie based on his kidnapping, I Know My First Name is Steven. And he never said no to reporters.