Minne-Sode #5: Mary Stauffer

Shear Crime Podcast

This week, Ame shares the story of the kidnapping and torture of high school math teacher Mary Stauffer. On May 16th, 1980, Mary and her 8 year old daughter were leaving a beauty salon in Roseville when a man appeared out of nowhere and forced the two into his car at gunpoint. The kidnapper held them hostage in a closet at his home for nearly 6 weeks. He confessed to Mary how he'd been looking for her for years and began raping her daily, video taping the events, with some of them lasting for hours. When his affections were not returned, he's try to strangle her daughter in front of her to make her comply. The entire time he held Mary and her daughter captive, he went on with his daily life and work schedule as if nothing was happening behind closed doors. Finally, on July 7th, still chained to her daughter, Mary was able to break free from the closet and call for police. Although they were rescued and the man was caught and charged, one innocent soul wouldn't be so lucky to make it back home.