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Original poster

Missing women found in Ohio

150 replies

CogitoErgoSometimes · 07/05/2013 06:29

article

When the story of Natasha Kampusch broke in 2006 it seemed like a bizarre one-off. Since then we've heard about Jaycee Dugard and one or two others. Now three more missing women (possibly more) have been found at a place in Ohio seemingly having been held captive for many years. Good conclusion to a tragic story and makes you wonder if there's anyone in the UK, written off as missing, but being similarly held against their will. Thinking about the case of Claudia Lawrence, for example.

OP posts:
rainbowslollipops · 07/05/2013 06:32

I was so shocked when I saw this on the news. 10 years they've been missing for. So so glad they're all well. Hopefully they'll get all the support they need to get over this.

mouseymummy · 07/05/2013 06:35

One has been missing for 25 years.... According to the report I've just seen on BBC breakfast. There are reports they have children too.

JakeBullet · 07/05/2013 06:38

So glad they have finally been freed but my goodness what a horrendous ordeal. Sounds like they have been kept as slaves....and there is at least one child probably born without any midwife or doctor in attendance. Horrific ordeal.

DolomitesDonkey · 07/05/2013 06:42

It's like something out of "criminal minds" - which I had to stop watching because it's so depressing.

I'm so glad these women, at least superficially seem to be ok.

pumpkinsweetie · 07/05/2013 06:53

Their parents must have never thought this day would come, i bet they are relieved yet agreeably worried about what their daughters may or may not have suffered after being held captive for over a decade.
It does make me wonder whether their are similar stories yet to be uncovered with missing children in our country too.
I hope these girls get the help and support needed to fufill their , happy new futures.

MaryPoppinsBag · 07/05/2013 07:01

Who knows what they went through Hmm
Glad that they are free and can see their families again.

KitKatShoes · 07/05/2013 07:31

How the hell does your mind cope with that? 10 years! :(

Tailtwister · 07/05/2013 07:53

It's absolutely shocking that they were kept hidden for so long. I hope they get the help they need to move forward with their lives.

Original poster
CogitoErgoSometimes · 07/05/2013 08:21

The brief accounts I've read of other similar stories seem to indicate that the captivity is as much mental as physical. i.e. even if there are opportunities to physically escape, often the mental duress is such that the captive is too frightened or too brainwashed to do so.

OP posts:
Booyhoo · 07/05/2013 10:01

how awful and good at the same time that they've been found. i'm hoping they'll all be able to re-establish some sort of happy life for themselves after this.

cogito yes, i have watched a few programmes about women (it's always girls and women isn't it Sad) who have been held captive and i've found myself thinking, "the door is open, just go" but it becomes really clear that it isn't just physical restraints holding them there. those poor girls. Sad

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 07/05/2013 10:11

It must be especially difficult in a situation like this with other captives and children involved.

If Amanda had failed in her attempt doubtless her captors would have punished all of them... Such a difficult choice to make Sad

I can't begin to imagine what they've been through.

Booyhoo · 07/05/2013 10:13

is it just me or was that 911 operator shit? he didn't ask if she needed any medical help or if she was in a safe place or even where she was! i know he needs to free up the line for more emergency calls but that was really bad IMO the girl was hysterical and she was phoning the go to number for help. dont they get training in how to calm callers down and ascertain if they are safe etc?

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 07/05/2013 10:20

I didn't listen to it as it wouldn't load right on my phone. I wonder did the operator assume it was a prank given the highly unusual circumstances.

cocolepew · 07/05/2013 10:25

So sad that one of the girls mum died 3 years after she was taken.
Shocking story.

Booyhoo · 07/05/2013 10:26

possibly. i still dont think he dealt with it very well. she clearly was very panicked and worried the captors would return and i dont think he did anything to reassure her at all. he said they would get a car out when one came free Hmm

recall · 07/05/2013 10:29

I agree, the 911 operator didn't show any compassion

pumpkinsweetie · 07/05/2013 10:56

Totally agree, was a very uncompassionate operator, even if he did think it was a prank-He should treat each case as different, that girl would have been really scared. So sad about one of the girls mum's being dead, she will never get to see her daughter Sad

Smellslikecatspee · 07/05/2013 10:57

Very very hard to get your head around.

There have been a couple of these events recently including one of a youg boy who was 'allowed' out to school/ friends houses, but couldn't get his head around that he could have just told a teacher/ friends parent.

The psychological hold that is imposed on these women and children is truely terrifying

Room by Emma Donoghue was written about a situation like this but the story is told from the POV of the child. It a heartbreaking story, but the innocence of the child, the ability to normalise the abnormal.
The strenght of will to survive. . . .

Booyhoo · 07/05/2013 10:59
Sad

for all of them. all the women and children who have experienced this. so much damage.

JemimaPuddle · 07/05/2013 11:11

I read a book years ago about a situation in the US where a young girl was taken & kept for years by a man. His wife even gave birth on a bed while she was held captive in a 'box' underneath it. If I remember rightly he'd convinced her she'd been sold and showed a contract. She was convinced even police were in on it & if she escaped they would bring her back :(

GibberTheMonkey · 07/05/2013 13:34

It must continue to give hope to parents of other missing/abducted children/teens/young women

I cannot imagine being their families, so sad one mother will never know.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/05/2013 15:20

This is a very interesting take on one of the psychological aspects.

Smellslikecatspee · 07/05/2013 16:09

That is an interesting take on things and very sad for her that she even had to spend one second thinking that been raped/kidnapped made her somehow 'lesser' if that makes sense.

CrowsLanding · 07/05/2013 16:23

Oh my word how sad. So glad they have been found.
I agree the 911 operator was shite!

Booyhoo · 07/05/2013 16:31

jemima i think i saw a documentary about that same woman. she recounted teh whole story start to finish and yes, she was absoloutely convinced it was all part of a massive conspiracy and that there were people belonging to the organisation (cant remember the name he told her it was called) everywhere and if she tried to tell anyone she would be killed. she was 'permitted' to work and went into the local town for her job but was too terrified to speak to anyone. AFAIK the guy even brought her back to her family for a visit and she had to pretend he was her fiance and that everything was fine but one of her cousins ( i think) sussed something wasn't right/ cant remember how she got away in the end.

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