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A TV mini series that explores the life of Steven Stayner, who was kidnapped by a cult leader as a child and later escaped. The series also features his family's story and the impact of the crimes on their lives.
- (2.6K)
- 2022-04-21
- Documentary, Biography, Crime
- 46
Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story is a 2022 three-part true crime docuseries directed by Jessica Dimmock and executive produced by The Russo brothers, which premiered on Hulu April 21, about the 1972 kidnapping and eventual 1980 return of Steven Stayner and the impact it had on the Stayner family (especially older ...
A documentary series about a missing child case that became a media sensation in 1972. Watch the full season online with a free trial or a subscription plan.
In 1972, 7-year-old Steven Stayner mysteriously vanished on his way home from school. Nearly a decade later, his dramatic return to his family sparked ’80s-e...
- 2 min
- 315.4K
- Hulu
- Steven Stayner's Abduction
- A Hero Is Born
- Steven's Final Years
- Cary Stayner Taints The Family's Legacy
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
On Dec. 4, 1972, the Stayner family's low profile permanently changed when 7-year-old Steven Stayner, the middle child, was abducted walking home from school. He was given a new identity — Dennis Parnell — and for seven years endured sexual abuse at the hands of his captor. During that time, Delbert and Kay struggled to move on without answers abou...
An investigation into Steven's reappearance uncovered that he was motivated to plan an escape after his captor abducted Timmy. He was reportedly troubled by Timmy's distress and unwilling to watch an innocent young boy undergo the same abuse he suffered. One night, he and Timmy snuck out while their abductor was working and they hitchhiked to Ukiah...
Amid the mayhem, Steven learned to live with the publicity, for better or worse. By 19, he had wed Jody Edmondson — a girl whom he met at the butcher shop where he worked — and started a family. Soon, the couple had two children: Ashley and Steven Jr., both of whom weigh in throughout the docuseries. "He was a good dad, he was a good family man," J...
Following Steven's death, the Stayners began to fade out of the news — but then, "terrible things start all up again," Cory says. In 1999, three tourists vanished in Yosemite National Park. Much like Steven's, their disappearance shocked the nation and dominated headlines as investigators frantically searched for them. Soon after, two of the women'...
The docuseries revisits the traumatic events that captivated a nation for 30 years, from Steven Stayner's abduction and escape to his brother's serial killing spree. It features interviews with family members, journalists and experts who explore how the Stayners navigated the spotlight and the horror.
- Kyler Alvord
- 2 min
92% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 65% Audience Score Fewer than 50 Ratings The evolution of true-crime storytelling is told through lens of the 1972 kidnapping of Steven Stayner, 7, which sparked ...
A documentary series about the impact of media on the lives of the Stayner family, who were involved in a kidnapping, a murder, and a TV movie. Explore how the media's magnifying glass shaped their stories and their identities.
