The Shocking Truth Behind Steven Stayner's 7-Year Kidnapping Ordeal
In the annals of true crime, few cases are as simultaneously heartbreaking and remarkable as that of Steven Stainer. Born in 1965 to Delbert and Kay Stainer in Merced, California, Steven was living an ordinary childhood until December 4, 1972. On that fateful day, the seven-year-old boy was approached by a stranger claiming to be a church representative while walking home from school. This encounter would lead to one of the most extraordinary kidnapping cases in American history.
The abduction was orchestrated by Kenneth Eugene Parnell, a man with a deeply troubled past including juvenile detention, and assisted by Irvin Murphy. Parnell kept Steven captive for years, changing his name to Dennis Gregory Parnell and enrolling him in various schools to maintain appearances. Despite being allowed certain freedoms during his captivity, Steven remained psychologically trapped by Parnell's manipulation, believing his parents had given him away and that he had nowhere else to go.
Key Takeaways
Steven Stainer's 1972 abduction led to years of captivity under a new identity imposed by his kidnapper.
Kenneth Parnell had an extensive history of criminal behavior and psychological issues before kidnapping Steven.
Despite being enrolled in schools and given some freedom, Steven remained psychologically trapped by his captor's manipulations.
Steven Stainer Case: A Unique Twist
The disappearance of Steven Gregory Stainer represents one of the most extraordinary kidnapping cases in American history. Born on April 18, 1965, to Delbert and Kay Stainer in Merced, California, Steven lived a normal life with his three sisters and older brother until December 4, 1972.
On that fateful Monday, seven-year-old Steven was approached by a stranger claiming to be Ervin Edward Murphy, a church representative seeking donations. When Steven mentioned his mother might contribute, Murphy asked where he lived. Shortly after, a white Buick appeared, and Steven was coaxed inside.
The vehicle was driven by Kenneth Eugene Parnell, a man with an extensive criminal history. Steven was taken to a cabin in Catheys Valley, ironically close to his grandfather's home. From the first night, Steven became a victim of sexual abuse, which would continue regularly throughout his captivity.
Kenneth Parnell: A Deeply Troubled Individual
Kenneth Parnell had displayed concerning behaviors from childhood:
At age 4: Attempted to remove his own teeth with his fingers
Around age 8: Shot himself in the abdomen and jumped onto nail-covered planks
At age 20: Lured and assaulted an 8-year-old boy while impersonating a police officer
Served prison time but escaped before being recaptured
Parnell met Murphy while working as a night janitor at a Yosemite National Park resort. He convinced Murphy, described by acquaintances as "trusting, naive and simple-minded," to help kidnap a child so Parnell could "raise him in a religious type deal."
To control Steven psychologically, Parnell told the boy his parents had given up custody and didn't want him anymore. Eventually, Steven's name was changed to Dennis Gregory Parnell, and he was enrolled in various schools as they moved around California.
A Strange Semblance of "Normal" Life
Despite being held captive, Steven's situation had unusual elements:
He was enrolled in multiple schools
Parnell worked various jobs, often leaving Steven alone
Steven was allowed to drink alcohol at a young age
He technically had physical freedom to leave but didn't know where to seek help
For approximately 18 months, a woman named Barbara Maist lived with Parnell and Steven in the Santa Rosa area. She later claimed to believe they were father and son, though Steven later revealed that in 1975, Parnell had instructed Barbara to attempt kidnapping another boy from the Santa Rosa Boys Club.
The case would take more dramatic turns, involving both tragedy and heroism, as the Stainer family's extraordinary ordeal continued to unfold in ways no one could have anticipated.
Filming Conditions: Cozy Canadian True Crime Setup
Recording from Canada rather than the usual studio has created a unique ambiance for this true crime discussion. The makeshift office space features antiques and interesting finds arranged near a fireplace, creating a warm atmosphere despite the change in location.
The standard filming equipment isn't available for this session, which might impact audio quality. This temporary Canadian setting serves as an intimate backdrop for examining the Steven Stayner case, one of the most unusual stories covered in this series.
Unlike typical crime cases that end with permanent disappearances or deaths, the Stayner story contains unexpected elements of both tragedy and heroism. The cozy Canadian environment provides a contrasting setting for discussing such serious subject matter.
The altered filming conditions, while not ideal, offer viewers a different perspective and a more intimate presentation style for this particularly complex criminal case.
Who Is Steven Stainer
Steven Gregory Stainer was born on April 18, 1965, in Merced, California, to parents Delbert and Kay Stainer. His family included three sisters and one older brother, living what appeared to be a typical life until a devastating event occurred.
On December 4, 1972, seven-year-old Steven was walking home from school when his life took a dramatic turn. A man named Ervin Edward Murphy approached him, claiming to be collecting church donations. When Steven mentioned his mother might contribute, Murphy asked where he lived to get her information.
The Abduction
A white Buick pulled up alongside them during this conversation. Steven entered the vehicle, beginning his traumatic ordeal. He was driven to a cabin in Catheys Valley, approximately 30 minutes northwest of Merced—ironically close to his grandfather's home.
Murphy wasn't working alone but was collaborating with Kenneth Eugene Parnell, a man with an extensive criminal background. Parnell had experienced a troubled youth following his father's abandonment of the family, leading to a pattern of criminal behavior including:
Car theft
Arson
Multiple stays in juvenile detention
Kenneth Parnell's Disturbing History
Parnell displayed concerning behaviors from an early age:
At age 4, attempting to remove his own teeth despite them not being loose
Around age 8, shooting himself in the abdomen
Jumping off a barn roof onto a plank with nails
At age 20, luring and assaulting an 8-year-old boy while posing as a police officer
Parnell received a 4-year prison sentence for this assault but escaped before being recaptured to complete his term.
The Captivity
On the first night of Steven's abduction, Parnell sexually assaulted him. These assaults became regular occurrences approximately two weeks later. Parnell manipulated Steven by telling him his parents had given up custody and no longer wanted him.
Parnell changed Steven's name to Dennis Gregory Parnell and enrolled him in various schools while moving throughout California. Despite having opportunities to escape, Steven later explained he didn't know where to seek help or who would believe him.
For about 18 months, a woman named Barbara Mathias lived with Steven and Parnell in the Santa Rosa area. She claimed to have believed they were father and son, though Steven later revealed that in 1975, Parnell had instructed Barbara to lure another young boy into their car outside the Santa Rosa Boys Club. Fortunately, this attempted kidnapping was unsuccessful.
The Abduction by Kenneth Parnell and Irvin Murphy
On December 4, 1972, seven-year-old Steven Stayner was approached by a stranger while walking home from school in Merced, California. The man, who introduced himself as Irvin Murphy, claimed to be collecting donations for a church. When Steven mentioned his mother might donate, Murphy asked where he lived. Shortly afterward, a white Buick pulled up beside them, and Steven was convinced to get into the backseat.
The vehicle was driven by Kenneth Eugene Parnell, a man with an extensive criminal history. Together, Parnell and Murphy transported Steven to a cabin in Catheys Valley, approximately half an hour northwest of Merced—ironically close to Steven's grandfather's home.
The Perpetrators' Backgrounds:
Kenneth Parnell had a deeply troubled past:
Abandoned by his father at a young age
Early criminal behaviors including car theft and arson
Psychiatric evaluations noted his "peculiar tendency to search for trouble and punishment"
Self-destructive behaviors as a child, including attempting to remove his own teeth
Prior conviction for sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy while impersonating a police officer
Irvin Murphy was described by those who knew him as "trusting, naive and simple-minded." The two men met while working at a resort in Yosemite National Park, where Parnell worked as a night janitor. Parnell convinced Murphy to help him kidnap a child, claiming he wanted to "raise him in a religious type deal."
Initial Captivity:
From the first night, Steven endured sexual assault by Parnell. To prevent Steven from trying to escape, Parnell told the child that his parents had given legal custody to him and didn't want him anymore. Parnell changed Steven's name to Dennis Gregory Parnell and enrolled him in multiple schools to appear normal to society.
Despite moving frequently throughout California, Parnell maintained various jobs while keeping Steven captive. Strangely, Steven later revealed that he technically could have left at many points during his captivity but didn't know where to seek help or who would believe him.
For approximately 18 months, a woman named Barbara Maist lived with Parnell and Steven in the Santa Rosa area. She claimed to believe they were father and son, though Steven later revealed that in 1975, Parnell had instructed Barbara to help attempt another kidnapping outside the Santa Rosa Boys Club. Fortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful.
Kenneth Parnell's Troubled Past and Criminal Behavior
Kenneth Eugene Parnell demonstrated problematic behavior from an early age. His difficult upbringing began when his father, Cecil Frederick Corell, abandoned the family, leaving Kenneth, his mother, and three siblings to fend for themselves.
As a young child, Parnell exhibited concerning behaviors. At just four years old, he attempted to remove his own teeth with his fingers despite them not being loose. By age eight, he shot himself in the abdomen and jumped off a barn roof onto a wooden plank riddled with nails, suggesting early signs of self-harming tendencies.
His criminal activity began in his youth with car theft and arson, resulting in extended stays in juvenile detention facilities. Dr. Richard D. Lenberg, a psychiatrist who examined Parnell in 1951, noted he "has shown a peculiar tendency to search for trouble and punishment."
At age 20, Parnell committed a serious offense when he lured an 8-year-old boy by posing as a police officer using a retired deputy badge purchased from a thrift store. After sexually assaulting the child, he received a four-year prison sentence, which he attempted to escape from before being recaptured.
Prior to kidnapping Steven Stayner, Parnell worked as a nighttime janitor at a resort in Yosemite National Park. It was there he met Ervin Murphy, whom acquaintances described as a "trusting, naive, and simple-minded man." Parnell manipulated Murphy into helping him abduct children, claiming he wanted to "raise him in a religious type deal."
Throughout Steven's captivity, Parnell maintained a facade of normalcy. He enrolled Steven in various schools, changed his name to Dennis Gregory Parnell, and held various jobs while moving around California. Despite allowing Steven some freedom, including the ability to leave the house, Parnell maintained psychological control by convincing him his parents had given up custody and no longer wanted him.
For a period in Santa Rosa, Parnell lived with a woman named Barbara Maist who claimed to believe they were father and son. However, Steven later revealed that Parnell had instructed Barbara to attempt another kidnapping outside the Santa Rosa Boys Club in 1975, suggesting her potential involvement in Parnell's criminal activities.
Life in Captivity: Steven's Journey Through Trauma
Steven's captivity began in December 1972 when Kenneth Parnell and Ervin Murphy lured the 7-year-old into a white Buick. Parnell took him to a cabin in Catheys Valley, approximately thirty minutes from Merced and ironically close to Steven's grandfather's home.
On the first night, Parnell sexually assaulted Steven. These assaults would become regular occurrences roughly two weeks after the abduction. To manipulate the child psychologically, Parnell convinced Steven that his parents had legally given up custody and no longer wanted him.
Parnell created a new identity for Steven, renaming him Dennis Gregory Parnell. To maintain appearances of normalcy, he enrolled the boy in various schools as they moved around California. Despite holding different jobs, Parnell often left Steven alone at home.
The captivity had unusual aspects compared to typical abduction cases. Steven was allowed to drink alcohol at a young age and had relative freedom to leave the residence. However, he always returned because he felt he had nowhere to go and didn't know where to seek help.
For approximately eighteen months in the Santa Rosa area, a woman named Barbara Maist lived with Parnell and Steven. She later claimed she believed they were father and son, though this seems questionable given that in 1975, Steven reported that Parnell instructed Barbara to attempt abducting another boy outside the Santa Rosa Boys Club.
Throughout his captivity, Steven maintained the false identity his abductor had created, though his body language likely revealed his discomfort with the man who claimed to be his father.
Failed Kidnapping Attempt and Barbara Maist's Involvement
During Steven Stayner's captivity, Kenneth Parnell moved around California frequently, maintaining the appearance of normalcy by enrolling Steven in various schools. He renamed the boy "Dennis Gregory Parnell" to strengthen the facade that they were father and son.
While living in the Santa Rosa area, a woman named Barbara Maist shared their residence for approximately 18 months. Maist claimed complete ignorance of Steven's true identity, maintaining she believed Parnell and the boy were genuinely father and son.
However, this claim becomes questionable in light of a disturbing incident from 1975. According to Steven's later testimony, Parnell instructed Maist to participate in an attempted abduction of another child. The plan involved Maist luring a young boy into their vehicle outside the Santa Rosa Boys Club.
Failed Kidnapping Attempt:
Target: Young boy near Santa Rosa Boys Club
Participants: Barbara Maist (acting on Parnell's instructions)
Outcome: Unsuccessful
The attempted kidnapping ultimately failed, but its very existence contradicts Maist's assertions of ignorance. This involvement suggests she was more aware of Parnell's criminal activities than she later admitted to authorities.
Questions remain about how Maist could have been unaware of Steven's situation. The lack of physical resemblance between Parnell and Steven, combined with the boy's likely uncomfortable body language around his captor, would have provided clear indications that their relationship was not as presented.
