Revisiting the 'Missouri Miracle' two decades after Shawn Hornbeck She was rescued by her adoptive parents who worked with the troubled girls social interaction issues. 15 years since the 'Missouri Miracle': How two kidnapped boys were Since then, Elizabeth, now 34, has been a vocal advocate for child safety rights. In a split second, Devlin kidnapped Shawn, telling the boy that he, was just at the wrong place at the wrong time. Five years later, Devlin kidnapped 13-year-old Ben Ownby in the same truck. His story made national headlines in 2007 as the "Missouri Miracle. Devlin went to Beaufort, Missouri, where he kidnapped Ben Ownby from his bus stop. That night, Franklin County Sheriff Glen Toelke announced that both boys were found and alive. Most recently, Smart spoke out after Gabby Petitos missing person case took the nation by storm. Its a good feeling knowing somebody that would do good for anybody, said Hattie Wall. 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. They had been kidnapped by Michael J. Devlin . 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. Never give up hope: The Shawn Hornbeck story - Daily Journal Online On October 6, 2002, Shawn, aged. Did Elizabeth Smart have a baby while kidnapped? Shawn had taken this path many times before but this time, Shawn passed by Mike Devlin who bumped him with his truck. LOUIS - Six months ago, Shawn Hornbeck disappeared again. Throughout her captivity, Alicia was chained by the neck, sexually assaulted, and her torture was live-streamed. Life returning to normal for Ben Ownby - TODAY.com ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOV) A Canadian man learned the man who tried to abduct him years ago, was Michael Devlin. The Oct. 6, 2002 kidnapping of Richwoods 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck while riding his bike to a friend's house, . Police Investigate Shocking Photos Apparently Taken During Shawn How Michelle McNamara Solved Shawn Hornbeck's Kidnapping Case True Story Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Palmer said he was scrolling through stories on YouTube about children whod been abducted and were able to escape later. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. Pictured with Hornbeck are his parents. 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! He glanced up once and then he didnt look at all, she said. 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. 'Missouri Miracle': Today Marks 14 Years Since Shawn Hornbeck And Ben The Shawn Hornbeck Foundation ceased operations in 2013. Ownby had been missing for four days when police entered a small apartment in Kirkwood, Missouri, to find both boys. 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. Devlin pleaded not guilt to two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed criminal action, and is being held on $1 million bond. After being attacked with an ice pick behind bars, Devlin was placed in protective custody to live out his sentence. 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. McNamara, who also led the investigation into the Golden State Killer, found many connections between the two boys. Shawn Hornbeck, The Kidnapped Boy Behind The 'Missouri Miracle' 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 married and became a father. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Finding out, what Palmer is convinced is, the identity of the man who tried to abduct him, has taken an emotional toll. McNamara also correctly theorized that Devlin was drawn to the boys because they looked much younger than their actual ages. He was 14 years old at the time. Our only wish would have been to help you sooner.. She still stays in touch with her colleagues who helped solve the case. ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. Writer Michelle McNamara died in her sleep on April 21, 2016. Retired Franklin County Sheriff Gary Toelke was heavily involved in the search for Ownby and subsequent investigation of Devlin since Ownby was kidnapped in Beaufort. What did you feel doing that? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Hornbecks hope that the photos can be used as evidence to build a case against Devlin, Sherman said. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Lynn Willett (@lynnwillett9) January 13, 2015. On January 12, 2007, police and FBI agents entered the apartment and located Ben Ownby and a second boy sitting on a sofa quietly. When Shawn came up missing he was 11 years old and was riding his bike alone on October 6, 2002, when Michael Devlin was patrolling quiet roads for months searching for a young victim. In the interview, he revealed what he really thought about suspicions that he and his parents were involved with his sisters death. He spoke to reporters in 2013 following the dramatic discovery. 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. "It's disturbing, but it's not unexpected that there are going to be things revealed from the course of Shawn's captivity that are going to be upsetting to the family," Hornbeck family lawyer Scott Sherman said. Shawn Hornbeck was an 11 year old boy who was kidnapped while riding his bike to a friend's house near Richwoods, Missouri. The Most Binge-Worthy True Crime Docs You Have to Watch Now, Why Did the Menendez Brothers Kill Their Parents? On a daily basis you get so many weird, out there message.'. He was told to go in first, so as to not raise any alarm with the boys. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Both boys allegedly had been kidnapped by Devlin . Eventually, Willett was able to get a confession from Devlin, and the FBI raided his apartment in search of the boys. Shawn, then 15, told his 41-year-old captor that . Revisiting the 'Missouri Miracle' two decades after Shawn Hornbeck You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. O'Reilly: Abducted child "liked his circumstances," had "a lot more 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. Crack the case in FOXNews.com's Crime Center. I remember yelling out, I was scared of waking up my dad, Thats, thats him, Thats the same guy from Robinson.'. Shawn Hornbeck hugs his family after being rescued from the home of Michael Devlin. Have a tip? Willett spoke at length with Devlin while they sat in the backseat of an FBI vehicle. 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. What Shawn Went Through - Newsweek The white beat-up white truck that Mitchell described to police sat outside the apartment. He runs right into me., I put my hands on his shoulders, she said. 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. How many years was Shawn Hornbeck missing? DE SOTO, Mo. The two lived alternatively as father and son, or family friends. Hornbeck, now 25, attended private school after his rescue and later got a factory job in Missouri, according to the Post-Dispatch. The discovery that Hornbeck was still alive after his abduction near Richwoods in 2003, was dubbed, 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. Listen Now On Jan. 12, 2007, Ben Ownby, 13, and Shawn Hornbeck, 15, were saved from Michael Devlin's apartment in St. Louis County. In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. He said a police report was filed at the time, but years passed and it became a distant memory. Shawn told no one about his situation, and nobody in Kirkwood suspected that he was the missing boy from Richmond - 50 miles away. You look at a lot of things," Nothum said. Sweet because Shawn was back home after having been . ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Did Patty Hearst have Stockholm syndrome? In Gabbys case in particular, I mean, I was alive, and I came home, and hers tragically has not ended that way, Smart said during a sit-down interview with Jada Pinkett Smith and Jadas mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, which aired in October 2021. Craig Akers died July 15, 2019, from bladder cancer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Teenage kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart has given birth to her third child. Hornbeck was eleven years old on October 6, 2002, when he was kidnapped while riding his bicycle near his home in Richwoods, Missouri. 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.. Two federal agentsLynn Willett and Tina Richterasked permission to search the truck, which Devlin allowed. At the time of his arrest, Hornbeck also lived with Shawns older sisters, Jackie and Jennifer, who were then 7 and 6, respectively. 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. The officers questioned Devlin, but he refused to let them search his apartment. When Shawn came up missing he was 11 years old and. One of the store managers, a man named Michael Devlin, owned the truck. Finding Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby - stltoday.com In his first interview, he tells 48 Hours Mystery his four-year ordeal would "send psychiatrists insane". Kevin Palmer of North Bay, Ontario Canada is hoping the FBI office in St. Louis will launch a new investigation into Devlin that leads to charges for an attempted abduction in December 1998. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres hardly any place he can go that somebody doesnt recognize him and want to give him a hug, his mom said. We won't post to any of your accounts without asking first. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. #subscriptionResponse{color:#000; font-size:14px; font-weight:bold}. (KFVS) Eleven-year-old Shawn Hornbeck went missing in 2002. He is serving 74 life sentences. Driving his pickup, he knocked Hornbeck off his bike and kidnapped him. But despite his ordeal, Hornbeck remains optimistic about his future. Among them, kidnapping then 11-year-old Shawn Hornbeck at gunpoint, then submitting him to years of sexual abuse. 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. Willett said Devlin told her he was a bad person and admitted to having both Ben and Shawn. He even reportedly attended a local school dance in December with a girl students described as his "girlfriend.". On Monday night, friends and family arrive at the Mahn Funeral Home in DeSoto for the visitation of Craig Akers. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 15. That fall Devlin pleaded guilty to multiple counts of kidnapping and sexual assault and was sentenced to 74 life sentences in Missouri and 170 years of federal time. , updated Shawn Hornbeck In 2002, Shawn was abducted while riding his bike with a friend and was found five years later. Your email address will not be published. Im a bad person, she said he confessed to her. After Mitchell Hults report, the FBI received a tip that a truck matching the description of Devlins was parked at a pizza restaurant in Kirkwood. Stayner got in the car and wasn't seen again for eight years. All Rights Reserved. Michael Devlin's Lawyer: Shawn Hornbeck Tried to Stop Abuse of Second 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. Hornbeck, now 25, attended private school after his rescue and later got a factory job in Missouri, according to the Post-Dispatch. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Shawn always took the same route and his parents trusted him to ride alone. Shawn Hornbeck: FBI Agent Reveals How Mike Devlin Confessed - Peoplemag 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Send it to us! The man who kidnapped Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby was identified as Michael J. Devlin, a pizza-restaurant manager. Driving his pickup, he knocked Hornbeck off his bike and kidnapped him. He never arrived. He sat with Willett in the back seat, she told the Post-Dispatch. 'This is the best day of our lives. Hornbecks life suffered a severe schism when he was allegedly kidnapped at the age of 11. 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 was sentenced to 74 life sentences and 170 years of federal time after the 2007 kidnapping of Ben Ownby and 2002 kidnapping of Shawn Hornbeck. Visit FOXNews.com's Crime Center for complete coverage. In the final novel of the series, The Man with the Golden Gun, Ms full identity is revealed as Vice Admiral Sir Miles Messervy KCMG; Messervy had been appointed to head of MI6 after his predecessor had been assassinated at his desk. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | KMIZ-TV FCC Public File | FCC Applications |, Breaking News 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. 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. 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. He is currently serving 71 life sentences after being convicted of kidnapping and child sexual abuse atWestern Missouri Correctional Center in Cameron, Missouri. The late Walter. During the conversation, Willett cajoled a confession from Devlin. . Police went on a search for Hornbeck, but were unable to discover the boys whereabouts. 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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. Willett and Richter joined other FBI agents and local police in going to Devlins apartment in the 400 block of S. Holmes Avenue. @shawn_hornbeck Today will always have great meaning for me and my team. A child abductee's journey back | The Seattle Times Pedophile Issues Agonizing Confession About Boys He Held Captive Anytime a child was missing he was the first onesick as a dogget up and try to help, said friend Angela Forshee. It has been like a dream, and we are afraid that we are going to wake up.'. Required fields are marked *. He also pleaded guilty to all the charges against him. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. 'Missouri Miracle': Today Marks 14 Years Since Shawn Hornbeck And Ben Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. 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. When the boys were found Gary Toelke, the Franklin County sheriff at the time made the announcement outside his office at a press conference. Speaking last week, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the boys discovery, she told the Post-Dispatch, I want the story to be theirs to tell. Then read more about Dennis Martin, the six-year-old boy who disappeared in the Great Smokey Mountains. The disappearance and reunion with Shawn made international headlines. 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. Even now theyre strong together, said Jason Huncovsky, Akers son-in-law. Later, Devlin admitted he kidnapped Ben because Shawn was getting too old for his liking, unwittingly confirming McNamaras theory. Her ordeal was later turned into a Lifetime film in 2018 called Girl in the Bunker. In Beaufort, on January 8, 2007, he kidnapped Ben Ownby from a bus stop, with Shawn in the pick up truck with him. Shawn is grown up. Willett retired from the FBI in 2010. That wouldnt be the last time Browne fabricated details about someones disappearance. She was 46. Your email address will not be published. After Shawns disappearance, Pam and Craig Akers dedicated every second of their lives to finding their son. We have some good news for you and probably some unbelievable news. Im an important cog in it, but its a personal thing for each boy and their family. The falsehoods hurt the family, but may have fueled the search to find their son alive. And Devlin would later admit to prosecutors that Shawn was getting too old for him, and he abducted Ben because he looked younger, which proved McNamaras theory. Devlin told FBI agents the reason he began looking for another boy was that Shawn was getting too old. Shawn Hornbeck was alive and had been living with Devlin as a hostage for over four years. 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. Today, Jessica is now 35 years old and lives in Texas with her husband and two children. Retelling of the case of Shawn Hornbeck, who as an 11 year old, was kidnapped, and miraculously survived several years of abuse. It is hard to even come up with words to express the feeling. Since then, Tanya, now 40, has released a memoir, Memoir of a Milk Carton Kid: The Tanya Nicole Kach Story, and lives in Pennsylvania. 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'. 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). 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.. Both he and Ben Ownby still live in the St. Louis area. I had a sense very early on, based on the way he was answering questions, that it wasnt quite adding up.. I just wanted to walk away and the guy got upset, I dont know, irritated. A man behind the wheel of a white pickup truck knocked young Shawn off his lime-green bike. KIRKWOOD - Fourteen years ago today in a suburb of St. Louis called Kirkwood, Missouri, the term Missouri Miracle came about. In an interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Hornbeck said he was too "terrified" to try to escape from Devlin's clutches. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 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. ", In a 2013 interview, Shawn, then 21, said, "You cant give up.