Kidnapping

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s son holds roommate at knifepoint inside their apartment
Kidnapping
October 6, 2018

Jean-Claude Van Damme’s son holds roommate at knifepoint inside their apartment

PHOENIX (AP) — A son of actor Jean-Claude Van Damme has been sentenced to 18 months of probation after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct for holding his roommate at knifepoint at their apartment in suburban Phoenix. Maricopa County Superior Court officials said 22-year-old Nicholas Francois Van Varenberg was sentenced Wednesday. Tempe police said Van Varenberg …

Suspects planned to rape, torture and MURDER young child after kidnapping at county fair: Cops
Kidnapping
September 22, 2018

Suspects planned to rape, torture and MURDER young child after kidnapping at county fair: Cops

Two men and two women have been arrested in Michigan for allegedly planning to kidnap, rape, torture and murder a child, according to authorities—who expressed that the plan was thwarted just in time. Michigan Attorney Bill Schuette identified the suspects as David Bailey, 37, of Coldwater, Matthew Toole, 32, of Battle Creek, Talia Furman, 32, …

Woman who helped kidnap Elizabeth Smart officially released from prison
Kidnapping
September 19, 2018

Woman who helped kidnap Elizabeth Smart officially released from prison

By LINDSAY WHITETHURST DRAPER, Utah (AP) — A woman who helped kidnap Elizabeth Smart when she was a teenager and stood by as the girl was sexually assaulted was released from prison Wednesday after 15 years in custody. Wanda Barzee, 72, left the Utah state prison in the Salt Lake City suburb of Draper, spokeswoman …

Student abducted by former teacher Tad Cummins opens up in first on-camera interview, says she was forced by gun to flee with him
Kidnapping
September 19, 2018

Student abducted by former teacher Tad Cummins opens up in first on-camera interview, says she was forced by gun to flee with him

In her first on-air interview, Tennessee girl Elizabeth Thomas sat down to discuss what happened before, during, and after the 38 days her former teacher, Tad Cummins, reportedly abducted her. Elizabeth was just 15 when she disappeared from her Columbia, Tennessee, home in March 2017. Her disappearance sparked an AMBER Alert and a nationwide hunt after …

Elizabeth Smart says abductor Wanda Barzee still carries husband’s disturbing ‘Book of Revelations’ that details kidnapping, raping girls: Report
Kidnapping
September 18, 2018

Elizabeth Smart says abductor Wanda Barzee still carries husband’s disturbing ‘Book of Revelations’ that details kidnapping, raping girls: Report

In her first sit-down interview since the news of her abductor’s upcoming prison release, Elizabeth Smart shared additional details on kidnapper Wanda Barzee, some of which have never been heard before. “…Just the feeling that kind of radiated from her. It just was dark. And it was evil. And I just knew that she — …

‘I hope the state puts her in a mental hospital!’ Family of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper won’t take her in, daughter reacts to ‘surprising’ prison release
Kidnapping
September 16, 2018

‘I hope the state puts her in a mental hospital!’ Family of Elizabeth Smart’s kidnapper won’t take her in, daughter reacts to ‘surprising’ prison release

Kidnapper Wanda Barzee apparently won’t be staying with family members upon her prison release this week, according to a relative. Barzee, 72, has completed a 15-year sentence in connection with the 2002 kidnapping of then-teen Elizabeth Smart, but the abductor could now faces additional issues: finding a home upon her release. Her new residence will …