20 Most Terrifying Kidnappings in History

VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton

These disturbing cases will haunt your nightmares... Join us as we examine history's most chilling abductions that shocked the world. From politically motivated kidnappings to children taken from their homes, these horrifying crimes changed laws, sparked nationwide searches, and in some cases, remain unsolved decades later. Our countdown includes the Chowchilla School Bus Kidnapping, Elizabeth Smart, Jaycee Dugard, Patty Hearst, John Paul Getty III, Madeleine McCann, Emmett Till, the Lindbergh Baby, Amber Hagerman (the origin of the Amber Alert), and the Cleveland Kidnappings by Ariel Castro. These cases span centuries and continents, showing the devastating impact of these crimes. Which case do you find most disturbing? Let us know in the comments below!

  • #21: ost Terrifying Kidnappings in History
  • #20: Aldo Moro
  • #19: Polly Klaas
  • #18: Christopher Abeyta
  • #17: Emmett Till
  • #16: The Princes in the Tower
  • #15: The Ariel Castro Kidnappings
  • #14: Graeme Thorne
  • #13: Patty Hearst
  • #12: Jacob Wetterling
  • #11: Ursula Herrmann
  • #10: Julie Dart & Stephanie Slater
  • #9: John Paul Getty III
  • #8: Jayme Closs
  • #7: Amber Hagerman
  • #6: Madeleine McCann
  • #5: Elizabeth Smart
  • #4: Adam Walsh
  • #3: Jaycee Dugard
  • #2: Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr.
  • #1: The Chowchilla Kidnapping

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Tags:

famous kidnappings, historic abductions, Chowchilla kidnapping, Lindbergh baby, Jaycee Dugard, Adam Walsh, Elizabeth Smart, Madeleine McCann, Amber Alert, Jayme Closs, John Paul Getty III, Ursula Herrmann, Jacob Wetterling, Patty Hearst, Graeme Thorne, Ariel Castro, Princes in Tower, Emmett Till, Christopher Abeyta, Polly Klaas, Aldo Moro, true crime, child abductions, famous cases, ransom, missing children, watchmojo, history,