"Parnell wanted another kid that he could sexually assault.". When he was 24, he died in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Cary Stayner. Cary Stayner is now 57 years old. They no longer want you,'" investigative journalist Pat LaLama said. "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. Then, Del served in the US Army for four years until 1957 as a Staff Sergeant. 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. Purdy said Cary Stayner always wore a hat. Parnell, 76, died at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville on Monday night, corrections officials said Tuesday. [10] At his funeral, Timmy White was a pallbearer (via Press Democrat). He was convicted of the murders of four women between February and July 1999: Carole Sund, her teenage daughter Juli Sund and their teenage traveling companion Silvina Pelosso; and Yosemite Institute naturalist Joie Ruth Armstrong. Nobody can hurt him now. 0 references. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. My dad said he didnt need any. The press also hounded him constantly, and during Parnells trial he was bullied at school over questions of his sexuality. He also joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 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. 5h ago. Parnell forced Stayner to take on the name Dennis Parnell, and shuttled him from remote towns to isolated cabins all around Northern California, according to the Los Angeles Times. Witnesses later recognized the alleged driver of the automobile. Cary Stayner is led into a van by a U.S. Cary Stayner Today: Where Is He Now in 2021. I wouldnt think that he would think of himself as one, but he is a hero.". [8] Parnell denied in that same interview having been sexually abused himself, although Mike Echols' book I Know My First Name Is Steven states that he was indeed molested at the age of 13 by a boarder in a rooming house that his mother owned in Bakersfield. Hours after Steven Stayner reported Parnell's crimes, . Wellman said Parnell "was looking for one last hurrah. MERCED . The miniseries was released on May 23, 1989, only about four months before he died in a hit-and-run accident. 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. The men kidnapped Stayner, and he endured sexual and physical abuse for the next seven years at the hands of Parnell. Stayner was terribly concerned about White's welfare and immediately began planning to get the 5-year-old away from Parnell and return him home to his parents. 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. His high school girlfriend said he later told her what happened. Stayners father, Delbert Stayner, was accused of sexually abusing his daughters, and Rinek wrote sexual abuse went back at least five generations in the family. 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]. When Stayner failed to return home from school, his parents contacted authorities immediately. Stayners captor, Kenneth Parnell, convinced co-worker Ervin Murphy to lure seven-year-old Steven into their van on 4 December 1972, telling the boy: Your parents, I just spoke to them. English Wikipedia. And if I didnt take care of it now, it would just get worse,'" Duke said. Stayner had a pet dog named Queenie, with whom he formed a close bond, and was permitted to begin drinking and smoking at a young age. "He was spunky. Carey Stayner is currently sitting on death row in San Quentin. 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. According to the Los Angeles Times, she said after his death, "But he's not hurting anymore. Convicted sex offender Kenneth Parnell, known for the 1972 kidnapping and seven-year-long confinement of Steven Stayner, died Monday in the state prison hospital at Vacaville . Within days, he's on 'Good Morning America,'" Flynn said. However, he only served five years of his sentence. A year later, he was sentenced to life, which was, at the time, the harshest sentence handed down under the the "three strikes" law. I dont know sometimes if I should have come home. "Merced was the lead police department, and so they really mounted a large effort to search. On December 4, 1972, seven-year-old Stayner was abducted in Merced, California, by child molester Kenneth Parnell. He also conscripted Stayner into aiding him in kidnappings, but Stayner had always failed to grab the targeted child to the point Parnell stopped using Stayner as an accomplice, berating him for being an "incompetent". "There was a movie made about Steven Stayner. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. In addition to his fraught life at home and at school, Steven, still just a teenager by this point, also had to face Parnell in court. 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 friend Silvina Pelosso and Joie Armstrong, a 26-year-old Yosemite naturalist, according to History. 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. Over the years, Parnell had numerous jobs and he and Stayner moved often. Many researchers suspect cancer may overtake heart disease as the leading cause of death in coming years. He sustained fatal head injuries after his motorcycle struck a car that suddenly pulled out in front of him as he drove home from his. ABC News reports it was a "sleety, wintery day," and Stayner willingly followed Murphy into Parnell's car, as he expected the man to take him home. During the penalty phase, Del admitted to having neglected his children after Steven went missing and said regarding Cary, I didnt socialize with him. And if I didnt take care of it now, it would just get worse, Lori Duke, Stayners high school girlfriend, told ABC News. He sustained fatal head injuries after his motorcycle struck a car that suddenly pulled out in front of him as he drove home from his Pizza Hut shift, according to People. "I heard stories about him going out and wishing on a star, that his brother would come home.". It was also difficult for his parents to adjust to having a teenager after remembering their son as a 7-year-old boy. 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). By Mike Moran of the Confessional Podcast : 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. Stayner died in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24. "For seven years I have been supposedly an only child. He married Kay about three years later, and the couple went on to have three daughters and two sons. But instead of seeking mental health treatment, Stayner "ended up taking refuge" in Yosemite, Rowlands said. Stayner was riding his motorcycle home from work the night before the Emmys when he was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Then he took matters into his own hands. Parnell was registered as a sex offender when he lured 7-year-old Stayners into his car as the boy walked home from his elementary school in Merced, California. Stayner's account of his time with Parnell formed the basis of a 1991 book by Mike Echols. Steven Stayner testifies about his abduction in 1972 by Kenneth Parnell and his seven years in captivity in this 1981 photo. The Seattle Times reports missing-person fliers were actually sent to schools he attended but no one recognised Steven from the picture. He was third of five children of his parents and had an elder brother Cary and three sisters. He loved his brother, his former calssmate, Jack Bungart, told the news outlet. Sure, Ive seen the excuse about alleged car troubles but it sure didnt stop the guy from fleeing the scene. Steven Stayner died due to head injuries caused by a motorcycle accident In late 1989, Steven was riding his new Kawasaki motorcycle home from his job as a pizza delivery man when a car pulled out of the driveway just ahead of him. Tragically, Stayner was killed in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident in September 1989 while returning from a Pizza Hut shift. However, Timothy could not remember his address, so Stayner took him to a police station instead. Not only was Steven able to explain to police what happened to him and Timothy, he was also able to tell them his real name was Steven, not Dennis. However, he allowed him to keep the middle name "Gregory" and his original birthdate. Parnell went on to tell Stayner that his parents couldn't afford to keep him any more, that a judge had given Parnell legal custody of him, and that his new name was "Dennis". Cary Stayner worked at Cedar Lodge for two years before he killed guests Carole and Juli Sund and Silvina Pelosso. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. He was quoted after his "rescue" saying he blames himself and doesn't understand why his dad doesn't hug him anymore. He said, 'I want you to get a hold of some producers in Los Angeles. Steven Stayners fame was short-lived. I told you this was a depressing one guys, hope I didn't ruin your day. A third brother, Cary Stayner, is seen in a ball cap in the background between his brothers Steven and Delbert. However, the jury decided otherwise. In February 1980, Parnell brought home a 5-year-old White, who, like Stayner, had been walking home from school. Stayner left a substantial amount of evidence in and around Armstrongs cottage, but police initially started searching for him because his vehicle had been seen near her place and they thought he would be a "natural witness to interview," Rinek said. The Famous People reports Stayner had a difficult time adjusting to returning to his parents' home. But Steven's return was only the start of the family heartache. Losing perspective? Their return launched Stayner into the spotlight, and he later became the focus of a 1989 television movie titled, I Know My First Name Is Steven. "Ken Parnell went back to what he had been doing for years. Stayner grew up in Merced, California, near Yosemite National Park. Stayner once told press that he vigilantly watched his kids, and they werent even allowed out on the porch unless they were in sight of him or their mom. Parnell died in 2008 at the age of 76 of natural causes in the state prison hospital at Vacaville, SF Gate reported. Parnell died of natural causes on January 21, 2008, at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, California, while serving a sentence of 25 years to life. Parnell posed as Stayner's legal guardian and moved him around the state of California for the next eight years. Parnell remained incarcerated until his death in 2008 at the California Medical Facility, where he died of natural causes. [16] [17] According to prison officials, Parnell died of natural causes. He was a child who was being abused. Steven disappeared while returning from school, Cary, Stevens older brother, confessed to murdering four women. Stayner and Parnell moved often, finally settling nearUkiah, California, where Steven Stayner became Dennis Parnell, according to The New York Times. Hulus latest three-part documentary recalls the devastating kidnapping of Steven Stayner, a seven-year-old boy living in Merced, California. According to SFGate, his friends and coworkers described him as being impulsive and prone to seemingly abrupt and violent fits of rage. In 1972, seven-year-old Steven Stayner was kidnapped by a pedophile named Kenneth Parnell in Merced, California and held captive for the next seven years. Steven Stayner Death - Obituary: On April 23th,2022 celebrityexit learned about the death of Steven Stayner through a Social Media post. [10] Unfamiliar with the city, Stayner decided the best option was to seek out the local police, who originally considered him a delinquent, until an exhaustive search of missing child posters and a piecemeal interrogation confirmed he was a missing child as well. He died behind bars in 2008 from natural causes. He was 18 when his brother escaped his imprisonment and returned home. But on Sept. 16, 1989, Stayner died in a motorcycle crash. In the time after Stevens disappearance, Del dealt with depression and suicidal thoughts. Steven was told his new name was Dennis Parnell and was enrolled in school. Flynn said Satyner had "a couple of nervous breakdowns," one of which was "fairly violent. There was out and out fury over the sentence," Flynn said. "Thats when I told him, 'You need to go to a doctor, Cary.'". The harrowing true account of Steven Stayner, who was kidnapped by a perverted pseudo-priest and his lackey during the 1970s. As the older brother, Stayner felt a natural if undeserved sense of responsibility for not protecting Steven from harm. They kicked him out of their house twice. [9] Weeks afterward, Stayner escaped Parnell's house with White; he later said he did not want the boy to suffer the abuse that he had endured. As Steven got older and entered puberty, Parnell's sexual interest in Stayner waned and Parnell sought a new boy to "build his family". While Steven was a freshman at Mendocino High School, some 300 miles to the south, his older brother Cary was an upperclassman at Merced High School. "As far as I know, hes never talked to anyone about the effect Steven might have had on his crimes. He loved his brother. View Entire Post And so Steven made it home, Timmy was returned to his parents, and two families could breathe again. What was his cause of death? Morgan Doughty Filed A Lawsuit Against The Murdaugh Family, Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith Claims Alex Murdaugh Made Him A Fall Guy, Buster Murdaugh Testified For The Defense At His Fathers Double Murder Trial, The Subject Of This Netflix True Crime Doc Is Now Guilty Of Murdering His Wife & Son, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. After her friends reported her missing, police found signs of a struggle at her cabin and half a mile away, they found her body. 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 a very, very good cartoonist," and was voted "most creative" at school, according to Purdy. Steven Stayner (April 18, 1965 - Sept 16, 1989) was a kidnapping victim. Steven Stayner was the middle child of five siblings living with their parents in Merced, CA. Steven Stayner led a short and tragic life. To me thats guilt plain and simple. "Working at Cedar Lodge gave Cary access to his beloved Yosemite," Rowlands said. While imprisoned for this charge, his second wife filed for divorce. 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. Tragically, Steven Stayner was killed in a 1989 motorcycle accident at age 24. Steven Stayner's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) Apr 18, 1965 Death Date September 16, 1989 Age of Death 24 years Cause of Death Traffic Collision The Steven Stayner died at the age of 24.