Stayner's account of his time with Parnell formed the basis of a 1991 book by Mike Echols. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. He sexually abused Stayner repeatedly until Stayner fled in 1980 when he was 14. When he didnt return home, Stevens parents Delbert and Kay Stayner alerted the authorities but there were no leads. He also felt more directly responsible. Surrounded by endless complainers? He was held by his abductor 38 miles away in Mariposa County, California, and later in Mendocino County, California, until he was aged 14, when he managed to escape with another of Parnell's victims, Timothy White. Although Parnell was a convicted child predator, Murphy was described as "simple-minded," and somewhat naive. While Steven was grappling with life after his escape, his brother was out of high school with his own troubles. He was sentenced to death in 2002 and remains on death row. On September 16, 1989, Stayner was riding his motorcycle on his way home from his job, when he collided with a driver coming out of a nearby migrant labor camp. "He and Ervin Murphy got into Ken's big, white Buick and drove into Merced.". One relative described child sexual abuse as like a family sickness because it had been going on for so many generations. However, he allowed him to keep the middle name "Gregory" and his original birthdate. This is the story of a seven-year-old boy named Steven Stayner. Steven Stayner (Steven Gregory Stayner) was born on 18 April, 1965 in Merced, CA, is an American child kidnapping victim. Steven Stayner Death: How Carys Stayners Brother Died, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Steven Stayner biography timelines. Kenneth Parnell was ultimately convicted of kidnapping and conspiracy to steal a child. "There was a movie made about Steven Stayner. Stayners parents withdrew emotionally after Steven went missing, Rinek wrote. (Parnell's cabin was, unbeknownst to Stayner, located only several hundred feet from his maternal grandfather's residence.) Steven Stayner Death Obituary: On April 23rd, 2022 Todeath.net received news about the passing of Steven Stayner through a Social Media post. Birthday: April 18, 1965. 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. Cary was very upset, he said. White became a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy. Sentenced to eight years, he served only five before being released, as reported by CNN. Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Storypremiered on Thursday (21 April) and features interviews with Stayners mother and, as he survived the terrible ordeal, his son and daughter. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Steven was 24 years old at the time of death. Steven Gregory Stayner died in a motorcycle accident on September 16, 1989, in Merced, California, United States. After several weeks, the bodies of all three women were discovered. [8], More than a decade after the sodomy case, Parnell was convicted of armed robbery in Utah. Yes, they're related because Cary is Steven's older brother; they're also related because Steven's bumpy return to the Stayner family, as well as his untimely death in 1989, could have . At the age of seven, Steven Stayner was kidnapped on the afternoon of December 4, 1972 by Kenneth Parnell, who had . However, Crime Investigation reports Stayner sabotaged Parnell's efforts, as he did not want another boy to suffer through the abuse he had endured. The Seattle Times reports missing-person fliers were actually sent to schools he attended but no one recognised Steven from the picture. Stayner died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. "Its dark and Timmy can't remember where he lives. He was remembered at a service at his church, the Merced Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, where his pastor and family members gathered to pay their respects. He had reportedly suffered from depression and suicidal thoughts but the cause of his death remains unclear. As the older brother, Stayner felt a natural if undeserved sense of responsibility for not protecting Steven from harm. Nobody can hurt him now. He was kidnapped. Steven and Timmy. According to Rowlands, "He was wearing a hat because he was compulsively pulling his hair out. During the penalty phase, Del admitted to having neglected his children after Steven went missing and said regarding Cary, I didnt socialize with him. Timmy White, 5, sits on the lap of Steven Stayner, 14, during a news conference Photo credit: Getty Images - Getty "There wasnt really much time for us to speculate on whether this was related, I mean it quickly became related," said Des Kidd, former medical director at Yosemite who participated in search and rescue. According to Crime Investigation, the boys hitchhiked more than 40 miles to reach Ukiah, California, where White was abducted from. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. And he was 38 when he brutally tortured and murdered 4 females in Yosemite National Parka dream he wanted to fulfill since the age of 7. Shortly after Steven's death, an uncle with whom Cary Stayner was very close was shot and killed in a home they shared together. 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. But tragedy struck in December 1972 when Steven disappeared while returning from school. ET on ABC, Cary looked out for Steven, according to Cary Stayner's former classmate Jack Bungart. ", The Tragedy Of Steven Stayner's 1989 Death Explained. Cary Stayner Today: Where Is He Now in 2021. I heard stories about him going out and wishing on a star, that his brother would come home.. He was convicted of both kidnappings and served five years of his seven-year prison sentence. Stayner later escaped, taking Timmy with him. ? He said, 'I want you to get a hold of some producers in Los Angeles. . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! After convincing the boy his parents did not want him anymore, he changed his name to Dennis Parnell. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. But instead of seeking mental health treatment, Stayner "ended up taking refuge" in Yosemite, Rowlands said. After White had been with Stayner and his captors for 16 days, Stayner realized he needed to save White from the same abuse he had endured (via the Los Angeles Times). Steven's last name is spelt "Staynor" on the cover but is actually spelt "Stayner." The author also states that Steven was missing for 7 years, then later on in the book he says 9 years. Cary Stayner was just 11 when his 7-year-old brother, Steven, was abducted by a pedophile. He has been a danger to children his entire life, prosecutor Tim Wellman said in 2004. I never recognized either one of them.". ", "He stated that he felt like jumping in a truck, driving it through the shop and killing the boss and killing everybody in the office, and then torching the place," friend Mark Marchese said in 1999. English Wikipedia. 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. 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]. After serving in the Army, Del worked at several sawmills and then moved to be employed in the canning industry. After her friends reported her missing, police found signs of a struggle at her cabin and half a mile away, they found her body. "I wa. You could see that he wanted to play and be with kids and be normal.". To begin with the first one is on the cover of the book. He was not wearing a helmet because someone had stolen it from him two months prior (via the Los Angeles Times ). Stayner and his wife were high school sweethearts, the article said. On September 16, 1989, Steven Stayner was driving home from work on a California highway after work one rainy evening and got into a deadly collision with a car that turned in front of him. ", "The first year was kinda hectic," Steven said on GMA in 1983. Had no interest in girls, had no interest in people. "You have one brother who's been subjected to just unspeakable horror for years, but by all appearances he's a happy-go-lucky, jovial kid with a girlfriend. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! On December 4, 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner was walking home from school in Merced, California when he was abducted by two men who worked at . Still, Stayner wanted to help his parents and asked that a $250,000 reward for information go to his family, Rinek wrote. But on Sept. 16, 1989, Stayner died in a motorcycle crash. 2. At that point Stayner decided to save White from the abuse he had endured and the two escaped. "He paid a local kid to ride with him to the little town of Ukiah, California, puts this high school kid out on the street to go find him a boy, and he finds 5-year-old Timothy White walking home from school," Flynn said. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Steven disappeared while returning from school, Cary, Stevens older brother, confessed to murdering four women. He loved his brother. "Cary was very upset," childhood friend Mike Marchese told ABC News in a 1999 interview. When he was 24, he died in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Del died at his home in Winton, California, on April 9, 2013. Star Original Captive Audience - A Real American Horror Story aired on Hulu with all 3 episodes available immediately on the release date of April 21, 2022.[18]. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Sitelinks. He later moved with his mother, his two half-sisters, and a half-brother to Bakersfield, California, where his mother operated a boarding lodge. While they never gave up hope, the ordeal took a toll on the whole family. In addition to the molestation, Stayner later claimed that Parnell's attitude altered from severe beatings to sometimes "spoiling" him. Privacy Policy. On April 18th, 1965, he was welcomed into the world by his parents, Delbert Stayner and Kay Stayner, in Merced, California, in the United States of America. [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. Edward Murphy, Parnell's accomplice from the Stayner kidnapping, was sentenced to five years imprisonment and paroled after two years. Parnell worked at the Yosemite Lodge, located about two hours away from the Stayner home. Find a Grave 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. "At some point, Parnell and Steven together realized that Steven was growing up and that he was no longer going to be controlled by Parnell," Lunney said. He also joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You could see that he wanted to play and be with kids and be normal.". They no longer want you.. Age at Death: 24. . A new Hulu miniseries thoughtfully explores a family's surreal life in the true crime spotlight. Unfortunately, ABC News reports authorities were eventually forced to admit "there was just nothing there." He was convicted of kidnapping 7-year-old Steven Stayner in 1972 and keeping him . "Cary, as the older brother, had a very strange relationship now with his younger brother, Steven, who was getting all of this attention and who was a different person," Rowlands said. He had been under hospice care for some time.[10]. Ive been watching the documentary on Hulu and first Steven is kidnapped and molested and by some miracle, returns to his family, only for some guy to do a hit and run on him? However, Timothy could not remember his address, so Stayner took him to a police station instead. He sustained fatal head injuries while on his way home from work when his motorcycle collided with a car in a hit-and-run accident. On September 16, 1989, Steven Stayner was driving home from work on a California highway after work one rainy evening and got into a deadly collision with a car that turned in front of him. By that time, Cary Stayner was already having grotesque fantasies, the agent wrote. In addition to her fathers unwanted advances, one of Stayners sisters said that Cary started peeping on her and inappropriately touching her when she was ten. "Kenneth Parnell stops the car and goes to a payphone, he comes back and tells Steven, 'Your parents, I just spoke to them. "I heard stories about him going out and wishing on a star, that his brother would come home.". Director Jessica Dimmock also brought in Corin Nemec and Todd Andrews, who portrayed Stayner and his brother Cary respectively in TV mini-series I Know My First Name Is Steven, to read interview transcripts. The story of steven stayner and timothy white Birth and family Stayner was the third of five children born to Delbert and Kay Stayner in Merced, California. Cary Stayner was convicted in the 1999 murders of 42-year-old Carole Sund, her 15-year-old daughter Juli, their 16-year-old family. A third brother, Cary Stayner, is seen in a ball cap in the background between his brothers Steven and Delbert. Cos Ive not until about an hour ago and its definitely one for the books. However, his sexual abuse of the boy never stopped. As he gets older, he realizes that he needs to try to make an escape and get back home. He's free. "But he was unable to develop any sort of interpersonal relationships with any women.". On July 21, 1999, when Stayner saw Joie Armstrong, a 26-year-old naturalist at Yosemite who taught children about nature in the park, "something instantly" changed with him, Rowlands said. [10] Hang out with friends or skateboard," Purdy told ABC News. imported from Wikimedia project. Stayner suffered years of abuse and claims that his parents didnt want him anymore, per the Seattle Times. As Steven got older and entered puberty, Parnell's sexual interest in Stayner waned and Parnell sought a new boy to "build his family". 0 references. For two weeks, Steven watched Timothy suffer the separation from his family. When Parnell kidnapped 5-year-old Timothy White that year, Stayner fled on foot along with the kindergartner and then hitchhiked to safety, a journey that thrust the two kidnapping survivors into the national spotlight. I yelled at him a lot. According to another report, Del was ordered to undergo therapy because he molested his daughters. By daybreak the following morning, Parnell had been arrested. SPONSORED LINKS Reviews TV Preview Lists Movie Explainers TV Explainers Anime Hours after Steven Stayner reported Parnells crimes, he was arrested and convicted of kidnapping. Over the years, Parnell had numerous jobs and he and Stayner moved often. If you havent got three hours to spare, heres everything you need to know about the horrific story of Steven Stayner. Steven Stayner, Who Escaped 7-Year Captivity, Dead In Crash September 17, 1989 MERCED, Calif. (AP) _ Steven Stayner, kidnapped at the age of 7 and forced to live as the sexually abused foster son of his abductor until he escaped seven years later, has been killed in a hit-and-run traffic accident. He was sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison. And he wanted the same treatment. Stayner and Parnell moved often, finally settling nearUkiah, California, where Steven Stayner became Dennis Parnell, according to The New York Times. Cary Stayner, shown in this March 2, 1980 photo, is hugged by his mother Kay Stayner outside the Stayner home in Merced County, Calif., on the day Stayner's brother Steven was reunited with his family after being kidnapped for 7 years. Parnells father, Cecil Frederick, died July 31, 1972 in Denver.[3]. The boy agreed and gave the man his address. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Tragically, Stayner was killed in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in September 1989 while returning from a Pizza Hut shift. American crime victim who was kidnapped at age seven and held captive by sex offender Kenneth Parnell for seven years. Leave a Comment / Death-Obituary / By Elon. Overnight, Steven Stayner became a national hero, especially as Kenneth Parnell was arrested the very next day March 2, 1980. "It was a sleety, wintery day," Sean Flynn, a journalist who wrote about both Stayner brothers for Esquire, said. 0 references. The driver of the car, an employee of the nearby tomato-packing company, fled the scene and was later found in Tijuana. He later said, I never stopped looking, every time I saw a crowd on TV or a picture of a lot of people in a magazine. Stayner died at the Merced Community Medical Center at just 24 years old, in what was sadly one of multiple tragedies for him and his family. Delbert Stayner Age At The Time Of His Death At the time of Delbert Stayner's death, he was 79 years old. Stayner was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the article said. Watch "20/20's" full story, "The Black Sheep," TONIGHT at 9 p.m. cause of death. When he returned, he told the boy that he called his parents and they said they did not want him anymore. They kicked him out of their house twice. He told Hartman that his parents "didnt change that much," but his brother and sisters, "they changed a lot. Two men pulled up next to Stayner in a car one day, claiming to be ministers collecting money for their church. "It was outrageous. Former reporter Ted Rowlands said, "Stayner had a new father figure who by day, was his father, and by night, was his rapist.". Murphy had befriended serial paedophile Kenneth Parnell, and the two were in cahoots. On Dec 4, 1972 at age 7, he was abducted in California by Kenneth Parnell. Stayner grew up in Merced, California, near Yosemite National Park. The Truth About The Kidnapping Of Steven Stayner, California Department of Corrections/Wikipedia. Steven Stayner Death - Obituary: On April 23th,2022 celebrityexit learned about the death of Steven Stayner through a Social Media post. Stayner went to the police station and told them what happened to him, which included the line that later became the title of his movie: I know my first name is Steven. (Parnell was later convicted of kidnapping and false imprisonment charges, but only served five years. Would I have been better off if I didnt?. 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. Is Mayra Rosales Still Alive? The second man, who was later identified as Kenneth Parnell, offered to give Murphy and Stayner a ride. "They call [Merced] the gateway to Yosemite," said Ted Rowlands, a former reporter who covered Cary Stayners story at KNTV for the San Francisco Bay area.