Timothy White, Victim of 1980 Kidnapping, Dies at 35 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 04-09-2010, 09:20 PM

Link

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Timothy White, the youngest victim and last survivor of a notorious California kidnapping saga, has died. He was 35.

White was 5 years old when he was kidnapped in Ukiah by child molester Kenneth Parnell. Two weeks later, fellow kidnap victim 14-year-old Steven Stayner fled with the boy, known as "Timmy," and hitchhiked to safety.

The dramatic story was told in the 1989 television movie, "I Know My First Name is Steven."

Parnell died in prison in 2008. Stayner, who was held captive by Parnell for seven years, died in a 1989 motorcycle crash.

White's stepfather, Roger Gitlin, says White died of an apparent pulmonary embolism. He was buried Thursday in the town of Newhall, where he had worked as a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.

mah79 · 04-09-2010, 09:22 PM

So sorry to hear of such a sad story, thanks for sharing. Timothy White was not that much older than me...7 or 8 years older. how sad.
I think I vaguely remember his story...can you refresh my memory of what happened to him? When was he profiled on UM?

Zoneboy · 04-09-2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mah79

When was he profiled on UM?

He may not have been profiled on UM. I did a search and found some discussion on Kenneth Parnell so I thought this would be the best place for it although it may be better suited in the all other cases forum.

Oldschooler81 · 04-09-2010, 09:35 PM

Eerie how I JUST watched the Steven Staynor movie again online the other day. That's so sad that both Steve and now Timmy died young and way before their time.

Hey mah79, I'm not sure if it was on UM but basically this guy Parnell kidnapped a young kid in the early 70s and told him lies about how his parents didn't want him anymore etc. then sexually abused him as he raised him.

Several years later, I think as this guy was losing interest when Steve was 14 and getting manlier, he had him help kidnap another little kid. Luckily it all clicked together for Steve and he decided to rescue Timmy from the same thing he went through. When he got to the police station the first time is when he realized his parents were still alive and looking for him. What made it really sad though, is even though he got reunited with his family, nothing ever really got back on track (he felt left out).

JimmyHendricks · 04-09-2010, 11:43 PM

Since MY first name is Steven as well, I have been aware of this case from the first time the movie aired in 1988 or 89. It was NOT ever featured on UM, I am 100% sure of that.

Of course, Steven Stayner's brother Cary is the Yosemite killer who murdered one woman and then a mother, daughter, and her friend several months later. He's currently on death row and during his confession talked about how he felt neglected after Steven came home because all the attention was on Steven, naturally. What a psychopath. Eerily enough, in the "I Know My First Name Is Steven" movie, Cary returns home from "working at Yosemite" at one point. Creepy.

I'm sorry to hear about Timothy's death. Steven really did save him from many more years of abuse by Parnell. It seems that virtually everyone in that case was cursed. Just a sad story all around.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 04-10-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mah79

So sorry to hear of such a sad story, thanks for sharing. Timothy White was not that much older than me...7 or 8 years older. how sad.

Steven and Timmy were both a few years younger than me. So sad that they both died suddenly and tragically young.

kadrmas15 · 04-10-2010, 04:18 AM

Actually I disagree on Cary Stayner being a full fledged psychopath. I mean he is guilty no doubt, no one disagrees with that. However in terms of his mental state, if you actually review his life, he had long standing mental issues long before Steven was even kidnapped. I mean sure there was some resentment there on Cary's part about Steven when Steven returned home. Cary was glad to have Steven back but it was more that Cary was mad because their parents let Steven do things that they would not let Cary do. Like they would let Steven smoke cigarettes in the house whereas if Cary did they would flip out on him.

However it seems that Cary did love Steven and after Steven's death in 1989 that is when Cary really started going downhill. He already had some major issues but that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I am not blaming Steven's death for what Cary did, just saying that Cary already had some serious mental issues and then first having his brother kidnapped, then returned then having him die suddenly, it just was the straw that broke the camel's back.

It is unclear when Stayner first started killing. I believe though he was the prime suspect in the murder of his uncle who Stayner was living with in 1990 although he was never charged in the case. That murder occurred in December of 1990 and like I said, Stayner was a suspect at the time but was never charged. I tend to believe that Stayner, well he probably killed his uncle although his uncle was shot to death and Stayner claimed he was not at home and while some of Stayner's statements did not make sense, eventually the police began to view the crime as a break in. But I tend to believe Stayner even if he did not kill his uncle had killed before the Yosemite murders.

Cori aka ChrisSCrush · 04-11-2010, 12:18 AM

Someone who knew them suggested Cary may have killed his uncle because his uncle knew he killed somebody else. Whoever it was, wasn't Steven, as someone else was shown to have been at fault in his death.

Kane · 04-11-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyHendricks

Since MY first name is Steven as well, I have been aware of this case from the first time the movie aired in 1988 or 89. It was NOT ever featured on UM, I am 100% sure of that.

You couldn't be more right. Timothy's abduction occurred in 1980, and his status as a missing person was short-lived. The case was resolved seven years before UM existed. For that reason, there is no possible way this case could have been on UM. The thread should have been made under the "All Other Cases" section.

In any case, I'm sorry to hear about Timothy's death. May he rest in peace.

Zoneboy · 04-11-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kane

The thread should have been made under the "All Other Cases" section.

You're right but it can easily be moved, I only posted it here because of some brief discussion on Kenneth Parnell. Next time I'll remember to think more clearly about where I start I thread.

crochetbuff · 04-11-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

You're right but it can easily be moved, I only posted it here because of some brief discussion on Kenneth Parnell. Next time I'll remember to think more clearly about where I start I thread.

Thanks for posting this about Mr. White. How great that he went into law enforcement. My sympathy goes out to his family.

I'd never heard about the Staynor's Uncle being murdered. Very eerie.

nohwheregirl · 04-11-2010, 06:53 PM

Wow. It seems like everyone involved in this story is cursed. 35 is way too young to die.

cuba_libre · 04-14-2010, 06:18 PM

Just such a sad ending....

04-09-2010, 09:20 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,489	Timothy White, Victim of 1980 Kidnapping, Dies at 35 Link SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Timothy White, the youngest victim and last survivor of a notorious California kidnapping saga, has died. He was 35. White was 5 years old when he was kidnapped in Ukiah by child molester Kenneth Parnell. Two weeks later, fellow kidnap victim 14-year-old Steven Stayner fled with the boy, known as "Timmy," and hitchhiked to safety. The dramatic story was told in the 1989 television movie, "I Know My First Name is Steven." Parnell died in prison in 2008. Stayner, who was held captive by Parnell for seven years, died in a 1989 motorcycle crash. White's stepfather, Roger Gitlin, says White died of an apparent pulmonary embolism. He was buried Thursday in the town of Newhall, where he had worked as a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy.
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04-14-2010, 06:18 PM	#13
cuba_libre Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 156	sad Just such a sad ending....

04-09-2010, 09:22 PM	#2
mah79 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 03, 2009 Posts: 141	So sorry to hear of such a sad story, thanks for sharing. Timothy White was not that much older than me...7 or 8 years older. how sad. I think I vaguely remember his story...can you refresh my memory of what happened to him? When was he profiled on UM?

04-09-2010, 09:35 PM	#4
Oldschooler81 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 03, 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 457	Eerie how I JUST watched the Steven Staynor movie again online the other day. That's so sad that both Steve and now Timmy died young and way before their time. Hey mah79, I'm not sure if it was on UM but basically this guy Parnell kidnapped a young kid in the early 70s and told him lies about how his parents didn't want him anymore etc. then sexually abused him as he raised him. Several years later, I think as this guy was losing interest when Steve was 14 and getting manlier, he had him help kidnap another little kid. Luckily it all clicked together for Steve and he decided to rescue Timmy from the same thing he went through. When he got to the police station the first time is when he realized his parents were still alive and looking for him. What made it really sad though, is even though he got reunited with his family, nothing ever really got back on track (he felt left out).

04-09-2010, 11:43 PM	#5
JimmyHendricks Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 11, 2004 Posts: 112	Since MY first name is Steven as well, I have been aware of this case from the first time the movie aired in 1988 or 89. It was NOT ever featured on UM, I am 100% sure of that. Of course, Steven Stayner's brother Cary is the Yosemite killer who murdered one woman and then a mother, daughter, and her friend several months later. He's currently on death row and during his confession talked about how he felt neglected after Steven came home because all the attention was on Steven, naturally. What a psychopath. Eerily enough, in the "I Know My First Name Is Steven" movie, Cary returns home from "working at Yosemite" at one point. Creepy. I'm sorry to hear about Timothy's death. Steven really did save him from many more years of abuse by Parnell. It seems that virtually everyone in that case was cursed. Just a sad story all around.

04-10-2010, 04:18 AM	#7
kadrmas15 Retired from Board 03/03/11 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 11, 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,910	Actually I disagree on Cary Stayner being a full fledged psychopath. I mean he is guilty no doubt, no one disagrees with that. However in terms of his mental state, if you actually review his life, he had long standing mental issues long before Steven was even kidnapped. I mean sure there was some resentment there on Cary's part about Steven when Steven returned home. Cary was glad to have Steven back but it was more that Cary was mad because their parents let Steven do things that they would not let Cary do. Like they would let Steven smoke cigarettes in the house whereas if Cary did they would flip out on him. However it seems that Cary did love Steven and after Steven's death in 1989 that is when Cary really started going downhill. He already had some major issues but that was the straw that broke the camel's back. I am not blaming Steven's death for what Cary did, just saying that Cary already had some serious mental issues and then first having his brother kidnapped, then returned then having him die suddenly, it just was the straw that broke the camel's back. It is unclear when Stayner first started killing. I believe though he was the prime suspect in the murder of his uncle who Stayner was living with in 1990 although he was never charged in the case. That murder occurred in December of 1990 and like I said, Stayner was a suspect at the time but was never charged. I tend to believe that Stayner, well he probably killed his uncle although his uncle was shot to death and Stayner claimed he was not at home and while some of Stayner's statements did not make sense, eventually the police began to view the crime as a break in. But I tend to believe Stayner even if he did not kill his uncle had killed before the Yosemite murders.

04-11-2010, 12:18 AM	#8
Cori aka ChrisSCrush Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 30, 2001 Location: USA and still trying to be proud of it! Posts: 2,071	Someone who knew them suggested Cary may have killed his uncle because his uncle knew he killed somebody else. Whoever it was, wasn't Steven, as someone else was shown to have been at fault in his death.

04-11-2010, 06:53 PM	#12
nohwheregirl THE Mystery Machine Senior Member Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Posts: 1,057	Wow. It seems like everyone involved in this story is cursed. 35 is way too young to die.