Steven Gregory Stayner was a kidnapping victim from the United States.
He was born on April 18, 1965, in Merced, California, to Kay Stayner and Delbert Stayner. He grew up in the United States.
Steven Stayner was the third child in a family of five.
Stayner was stolen by child molester Kenneth Parnell on December 4, 1972, in Merced, California, when he was seven years old.
He was held captive by his kidnapper 38 miles (61 kilometres) away in Mariposa County, California, and later in Mendocino County, California, until he was 14 years old, when he managed to flee with another of Parnell’s victims, Timothy White, on March 1, 1980, in Mendocino County, California.
In two separate trials in 1981, Parnell was found guilty of kidnapping White and Stayner and sentenced to prison. He was condemned to seven years in prison, but was released after only five years.
Mike Echols developed a television miniseries based on his life, I Know My First Name Is Steven (also known as The Missing Years), which premiered in early 1989 and was based on his experiences.
What is the Reason Behind His Death and How Old Is He At That Time?
In a motorcycle accident that occurred on September 16, 1989, in Merced, California, the United States of America, Steven Gregory Stayner was killed.
He died as a result of catastrophic head injuries he got when his motorcycle collided with a car in a hit-and-run accident while on his way home from work.
Witnesses later identified the alleged driver of the automobile as a result of their observations. Timmy White, 14 years old, served as a pallbearer at his funeral, which was attended by more than 500 mourners.
Steven died when he was 24 years old. He had just graduated from high school.
Stayner was a resident of Merced, California, and employed as a pizza delivery driver.
He also collaborated with child abduction advocacy groups, lectured to youngsters about personal safety, and gave interviews about his kidnapped and abduction experience.
Stayner became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just a few months before he died.
He was married to Jody Edmondson, with whom he had two children: Ashley Stayner and Steven Stayner Jr. He was predeceased by his wife.
Hulu Documentary Captive Audience Tells About Steven Stayner?
What happened to Steven Stayner in 1972 is revisited in Captive Audience, a new documentary from Hulu that explores the question of where the culprit has gone after the tragedy occurred.
In Hulu’s latest three-part documentary, the horrific kidnapping of Steven Stayner, a seven-year-old boy from Merced, California, is brought to life once again.
Audience that is receptive: A Real American Horror Story premiered on Thursday (April 21) and includes interviews with Stayner’s mother, as well as his son and daughter, who were present when he escaped the horrifying incident.
For the interview transcripts, director Jessica Dimmock enlisted the help of Corin Nemec and Todd Andrews, who played Stayner and his brother Cary, respectively, in the TV miniseries I Know My First Name is Steven.
Even if you don’t have three hours to spare, here’s all you need to know about Steven Stayner’s harrowing life story.
What Happened to Steven Stayner?
Steven Stayner was seven years old when he was kidnapped by Kenneth Parnell, who persuaded coworker Ervin Murphy to take him into their truck and told him: “Your parents, I just spoke to them.” He or she isn’t wanted any more.
His parents, Delbert and Kay Stayner, informed authorities when he failed to return, but no leads were found. When Steven’s captors took him home, they gave him a new name: Dennis Parnell, and enrolled him in school as Parnell’s “son,” according to the LA Times.
When Steven was kidnapped, his kidnappers plied him with drugs and alcohol while moving about California. Despite missing-person leaflets being issued to the schools he frequented, no one recognised Steven from his image, according to the Seattle Times.
After abducting Timothy White, a five-year-old boy, in February 1980, Parnell took his next victim. Steven, now 14, made the decision to go with White on March 2, 1980, after experiencing the child’s pain and misery first-hand.
“I’m not going to let that child go through what I’ve already been through,” Steven told his high school lover, who knew him as Dennis, according to ABC News. “If I don’t take care of it right now, it will just become worse,” he continued to say.
The youngsters hitchhiked to Timothy’s hometown of Ukiah, California, while Parnell worked as a night security guard. After informing the authorities, the boys were reunited with their families.
After marrying Jody Edmondson at the age of 20 in 1985, Stayner had two children, Ashley and Steven Jr., whom he was naturally protective about.
He worked at Pizza Hut for the next four years while talking at schools on personal safety. In September 1989, Stayner was killed in a motorbike accident as he returned from a shift at Pizza Hut.
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