KIRKWOOD - Fourteen years ago today in a suburb of St. Louis called Kirkwood, Missouri, the term Missouri Miracle came about. 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. He spoke to reporters in 2013 following the dramatic discovery. In Touch Weekly is part of the a360media Entertainment Group.Copyright a360media 2023. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. He was 57. In 2013, with the help of a local radio station, she attended her first prom. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Ownby, 23, lives and attends school in the St. Louis area, according to the Post-Dispatch. A white truck had been seen speeding away after Ownby had been snatched, and when police tracked down Devlin's cluttered one bedroom apartment home, they found Shawn Hornbeck toositting on the couch. Writer Michelle McNamara died in her sleep on April 21, 2016. Shawn, who was missing since Oct. 2002, was. 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. Willett spoke at length with Devlin while they sat in the backseat of an FBI vehicle. 10 years after the 'Missouri Miracle': Shawn Hornbeck speaks out about his ordeal. That evening, then-Fraklin County. He was 57. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 15. Visit FOXNews.com's Crime Center for complete coverage. In his first interview, he tells 48 Hours Mystery his four-year ordeal would "send psychiatrists insane". 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. That fall Devlin pleaded guilty to multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault and was sentenced to 74 life . Have a tip? Hornbeck, of Richwoods, Mo., had disappeared on Oct. 6, 2002, while riding his bike to a friend's home. Police called his parents, who had never given up hope, and gave them the miraculous news that after four years, their son had been found. Devlin eventually allowed Shawn to go out with friends, get a cellphone and go on dates, but he didn't go to school. Devlin was handed multiple life sentences for a total of more than 4,000 years. Authorities are investigating pictures of Shawn Hornbeck that were apparently taken during the four years the Missouri teen was missing. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. From Elizabeth Smart to Jaycee Dugard, these kids from famous crime cases are both horrifying and inspiring. Shawn Hornbeck, his mother Pam Akers, left, and step-father Craig Akers, greet friends as they walk into the press conference Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Richwoods School. The discovery that Hornbeck was still alive after his abduction near Richwoods in 2003, was dubbed, The Missouri Miracle. Sgt. Chris Jewers For Mailonline, Republican minority leader Kevin McCarthy says he opposes impeachment but tells House caucus Donald Trump DOES bear 'some responsibility' for MAGA mob and floats censure motion, Reprieve for only woman on federal death row after judge grants 11th hour stay of execution for womb raider killer Lisa Montgomery pending a competency hearing, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Beaming Harry and Meghan enjoy date night at private members' club, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' Mitchell Hults of Franklin County saw the truck near the scene of the crime, telling investigators. 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. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. Severe Weather This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. , updated Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. ', 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.'. Shawn Hornbeck was an 11 year old boy who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend's house near Richwoods, Missouri. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Teenage kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart has given birth to her third child. In 2016, Burke, now 34, broke his silence and gave his first interview on Dr. Phil. On October 6, 2002, Shawn Hornbeck was abducted while riding his bike in Richwoods, Missouri. The kidnapper put the 13-year-old in a white Nissan pickup truck and sped away, but not before Mitchell Hults, one of Ownbys friends, got a good look at the vehicle and provided a detailed description to authorities. "I've begun the process of healing and look forward to making up for the time I have lost with my family and education," he. 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. Throughout her captivity, Alicia was chained by the neck, sexually assaulted, and her torture was live-streamed. 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." They spent every penny they had to find Shawn, and made multiple media appearances to raise awareness. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved 'It was surprising. Shawn Hornbeck married and became a father. We have some good news for you and probably some unbelievable news. 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 despite his ordeal, Hornbeck remains optimistic about his future. Inside The Terrifying Kidnapping And Miraculous Rescue Of Shawn Hornbeck. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Devlin pleaded guilty to all the counts against him and was sentenced to 72 years behind bars. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. Thats when he said he came across a story on Shawn Hornbeck and he says he saw a photo of Michael Devlin. 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. But that wasnt his only crime. That evening, then-Fraklin County Sheriff Glen Toelke made the stunning announcement bothboys had been found and were alive. 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. Devlin pleaded guilty to all the charges and received 74 life sentences and an additional term of 2,020 years. Terrified, knowing that the man would soon kill her, Alicia struggled to maintain hope that she would be found. What did you feel doing that? Scroll through the gallery below to see before-and-after photos of famous kids from criminal cases. 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. After years of unimaginable dread, his parents were finally able to welcome their son home after Devlin was caught kidnapping another boy-13-year-old Ben Ownby. Shawn Hornbeck was an 11 year old boy who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend's house near Richwoods, Missouri. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Ill. coroner explains how wife didnt notice body, Check out these new must-see Missouri attractions, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The man who kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby was identified as Michael J. Devlin, a pizza-restaurant manager. Im proud of [the scars], she told Ladies Home Journal in 2002. 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. Is dumpster diving legal in Missouri and Illinois? If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle.
On January 12, 2007, police and FBI agents entered the apartment and located Ben Ownby and a second boy sitting on a sofa quietly. In 2002, Shawn was abducted while riding his bike with a friend and was found five years later. She was kept in an underground bunker for 10 days before being rescued. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. He spoke to reporters in 2013 following the dramatic discovery of three trapped women in Cleveland. Market data provided by Factset. 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. He was 11 years old. He was 14 years old at the time. 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. In 1996, Burkes sister, JonBenet Ramsey, was murdered in their Colorado home. The officers questioned Devlin, but he refused to let them search his apartment. Palmer has gone so far as to write out his story and sign a sworn affidavit that his claims are accurate. Shawn is grown up. Pictured with Hornbeck are his parents. 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'. They said they stayed close to him to help with his transition. Devlin took him to an apartment in nearby Kirkwood, where he was held captive for the next four years. 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. Shawn Hornbeck was alive and had been living with Devlin as a hostage for over four years. 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. (KFVS) Eleven-year-old Shawn Hornbeck went missing in 2002. Her ordeal was later turned into a Lifetime film in 2018 called Girl in the Bunker. In 2009, a story about a girl simply called Danielle who was raised in deplorable conditions and treated like a wild animal by her biological mother made headlines. Shawn later reported that Devlin physically abused him and threatened to kill him if he tried to call for help or escape. 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. He said, I have Shawn [Hornbeck, missing since 2002]. I said, Take us to him. , Willett told the Post-Dispatch that Devlin took the agents to his ground-floor apartment nearby. Authorities say Devlins confession that January day ended years of abuse, threats and manipulation for Hornbeck, whom Devlin abducted in October 2002. Shawn, then 15, told his 41-year-old captor that . A man behind the wheel of a white pickup truck knocked young Shawn off his lime-green bike. All rights reserved. The Oct. 6, 2002 kidnapping of Richwoods 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck while riding his bike to a friend's house, . Craig Akers died July 15, 2019, from bladder cancer. When Craig Akers son, Shawn Hornbeck, went missing, Akers also helped other parents find children who had disappeared. 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. . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. . We were sitting in the back seat, he was turned to look at me and I was turned to look at him. 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. Daily News & Weather Updates Meanwhile, for his tip and information, Mitchell Hults received a reward that included a new pickup truck. 90 Day Fiance's Hamza's Green Card Status 'Battle' Amid Memphis Divorce. He was torn away from rural Richwoods, Mo., and taken to Kirkwood, more than 60 miles away. Shawns case had gone cold, and very little information about Ben was known. In fact, she came very close to solving the case of both boys on her true crime blog just a day before investigators would find them. Their discovery became known as the Missouri Miracle.. In 1987, the world watched in anticipation as Jessica, then 18 months old, was pulled out of a well after being trapped there for two days. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | KMIZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News The guy tried to entice me to his vehicle. Stayner got in the car and wasn't seen again for eight years. However, Shawn eventually became too old for Devlin and the kidnapper was soon was back on the streets to find a new victim. California. Your email address will not be published. At the time of his arrest, Hornbeck also lived with Shawns older sisters, Jackie and Jennifer, who were then 7 and 6, respectively. Today, Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby have found some sense of normalcy, living peacefully with their families in St. Louis. Devlin pleaded not guilt to two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed criminal action, and is being held on $1 million bond. Driving his pickup, he knocked Hornbeck off his bike and kidnapped him. He sat with Willett in the back seat, she told the Post-Dispatch. In 1991, Jaycee, who was 11 at the time, was kidnapped on the street while walking home from school, and she wasnt found for another 18 years. 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. 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. Devlin went to Beaufort, Missouri, where he kidnapped Ben Ownby from his bus stop. Since her ordeal made headlines in 2009, Jaycee, now 41, has published two memoirs and continues to speak publicly about her experience. Speaking at the time, Craig said: 'It is the phone call I will remember most for the rest of my life. On Monday night, friends and family arrive at the Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto for the visitation of Craig Akers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. He was transferred to Western Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri. Speaking to the host, he said that he had used the internet to ask his parents a heartbreaking question. 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. FBI and Police from across Missouri started searching four days earlier for Ben Ownby who was kidnapped from his rural bus stop in Franklin County, Missouri. FBI/GettyThis undated handout photo provided by the FBI shows Shawn Hornbeck as he was pictured on a missing person poster from 2002. If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Kirkwood and Glendale police spoke with Shawn Devlin on more than one occasion in the years prior to Michael Devlins arrest. 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. Our only wish would have been to help you sooner. Eventually, Willett was able to get a confession from Devlin, and the FBI raided his apartment in search of the boys. 'Octomom' Nadya Suleman Is a Proud Mom of 14: See Her Kids Today! 'You get so many of these messages. When his 11-year-old son was kidnapped in October 2002, Craig became very dedicated in finding his boy. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. Email In Touch at contact@intouchweekly.com. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Crystal Britt talked about the emotions of that day as we look back on Shawn and Ben Ownbys remarkable rescue. Patty Hearsts Stockholm Syndrome became a talk of the nation as she was from one of the wealthiest and powerful families in the country. The bill was sponsored by Arizona Representative Paul Boyer. Today, St. Louis Talks spoke to then Franklin County sheriff Gary Toelke, who led much of the investigation after Ownby was taken four days earlier. For Smart, she was able to turn her traumatic experience with being kidnapped at 14 into an advocacy career. That was more traumatizing than the original event itself, he said. After hearing the news of Ownbys abduction, true crime investigator and late wife of comedian Patton Oswalt, Michelle McNamara began investigating the boys abduction. Shawn Hornbeck In 2002, Shawn was abducted while riding his bike with a friend and was found five years later. 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..