In the quiet hours of a December morning, way back in 1968, a truly chilling event unfolded that would capture the attention of people everywhere. It was a moment when a young woman, Barbara Jane Mackle, found her life turned upside down in a way that few could ever imagine. This was a story that, you know, just shook everyone to their core, revealing the sheer terror of an unimaginable situation.
The news spread quickly, like wildfire, that the daughter of a well-known Florida land developer, Robert Mackle, had been taken. She was a college student, just twenty years old, and her sudden disappearance sent shivers through families across the nation. It was, in a way, a wake-up call to the fact that such a thing could happen to anyone, anywhere.
What followed was an ordeal that seemed straight out of a nightmare, yet it was very real for Barbara. Her survival against such incredible odds became a story that, arguably, continues to inspire and remind us of the strength people can find when facing their greatest fears. This account looks back at what happened, how she made it through, and where her journey has taken her since.
Barbara Jane Mackle, as a young woman, was living a life that, you know, seemed quite good. She was attending Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, a junior there, and by all accounts, had a promising future ahead of her. Her father, Robert Mackle, was a well-known land developer in Florida, which meant the family had a certain standing, and she, apparently, enjoyed a comfortable existence.
Before the terrible events of December 1968, Barbara was, like, just a regular college student, dealing with her studies and, in fact, had fallen ill with the Hong Kong flu, which had spread across her campus. This illness, in a way, put her in a vulnerable spot, as she was not feeling her best when the unimaginable happened. Her life, which had been fairly ordinary for a young person, was about to take a turn that would define a part of her story forever.
She was, by all accounts, a person enjoying the typical experiences of young adulthood, going to college and, you know, looking forward to what was next. The idea that such a person could become the center of a terrifying national news story was, in some respects, quite unsettling for many, showing how quickly life can change.
Full Name | Barbara Jane Mackle |
Age at Kidnapping | 20 years old |
Year of Kidnapping | 1968 |
Father's Name | Robert Mackle |
University Attended | Emory University |
Current Status | Alive, reported living in South Florida |
Written Work | Co-authored "83 Hours 'Til Dawn" |
The morning of December 17, 1968, started like any other, but it quickly turned into a moment that would forever be etched in the minds of many. This was the day when the Mackle family received news that, you know, truly brought everything to a sudden halt. It was the moment that the world learned about Barbara Mackle kidnapped.
The event itself was, in fact, planned with a great deal of thought, right down to, like, very tiny aspects. It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing, but rather something that had been considered and prepared for. The sheer audacity of the plan, and the way it was carried out, really just added to the shock and horror of it all.
For Barbara, it was the start of an experience that would test her in ways she could never have foreseen. The idea of being taken against your will is, of course, a terrifying thought for anyone, but what she went through next was, in a way, beyond what most people could even begin to imagine. The story of Barbara Mackle kidnapped became a chilling example of human cruelty and, also, amazing human resilience.
The events leading up to Barbara Mackle being taken began in the early hours of that December morning. She was staying in her mother's room at the Rodeway Inn motel, which was then located on Clairmont Road in Decatur. It was a place where she, like, probably felt safe and comfortable, making the sudden intrusion all the more jarring.
Gary Steven Krist, along with a woman who was helping him, entered the room. Their purpose was, obviously, to take Barbara. They carried out their plan with a certain level of cold calculation. The idea that someone could just walk in and disrupt a life so completely is, frankly, a very disturbing thought.
They forced a sign that simply read "kidnapped" into Barbara's hands and, in fact, took a picture. This act, in some respects, was meant to prove they had her, and it added a chilling, almost theatrical element to the whole terrible situation. It was a clear message, meant to instill fear and, of course, to show they were serious about their demands. The details of how Barbara Mackle was kidnapped painted a picture of a very deliberate and frightening act.
Few situations are, arguably, more terrifying than the thought of being buried alive. It is the stuff of bad dreams, the kind of thing you see in scary movies or read about in old, dark stories. But for Barbara Mackle, this horrifying scenario became her very real existence for a period of time.
After she was taken, her captors placed her in a box, a kind of coffin, and buried her. This wasn't just a brief moment of terror; it was a prolonged period of confinement, isolation, and, you know, the constant fear of not knowing if she would ever get out. The sheer thought of being in such a small, dark space, with limited air, is enough to make anyone feel uneasy.
She was left there for what felt like an eternity, but in reality, it was a staggering 83 hours. That's more than three full days and nights spent in a buried box. It's a testament to the human spirit, honestly, that anyone could endure such a thing and come out of it with their mind intact. The story of her being buried alive is, basically, one of the most shocking parts of the Barbara Mackle kidnapped event.
Being buried alive for 83 hours is an experience that, like, defies easy description. It requires an immense amount of mental fortitude and a strong will to keep going. Barbara, in fact, had to contend with the darkness, the limited air, and the constant, nagging fear of what might happen next. It was a situation where every minute must have felt like an hour, and every hour like a day.
Her survival tale is, really, quite inspiring. It speaks to a deep inner strength that allowed her to hold on, even when things seemed hopeless. The fact that she made it out to tell her story is, you know, something that very few people in the world can say. She somehow managed to keep her composure and, basically, just focused on getting through each moment.
The details of her time in the box are, of course, personal to her, but the mere fact of her enduring it for so long shows an incredible resilience. It's a reminder that even in the most extreme circumstances, the human desire to live can be, like, incredibly powerful. Her ability to endure such a prolonged and terrifying confinement is a central part of the story of Barbara Mackle kidnapped.
After Barbara's ordeal, the focus, naturally, shifted to those responsible for her kidnapping. Gary Steven Krist, who was the main person involved, and a woman who helped him, were arrested. The authorities, of course, worked to bring them to justice for their actions.
The capture of Krist and his accomplice brought a sense of relief to many who had been following the story with great concern. It showed that such a terrible act would not go unpunished. The legal process that followed aimed to hold them accountable for the fear and suffering they had caused.
Krist, in fact, went on to write a book about his experiences, just as Barbara did. Their paths, though vastly different, were forever linked by the events of that December morning. The consequences for those who orchestrated the Barbara Mackle kidnapped event were, obviously, severe, as they faced the full weight of the law.
After such a harrowing experience, many people, you know, often wonder what becomes of those who go through something so life-changing. Barbara Mackle, after her ordeal, went on to live her life, though forever marked by what happened.
She, along with Gene Miller, put her experiences into words, co-authoring a book titled "83 Hours 'Til Dawn." This book allowed her to share her story in her own way, providing a personal account of the terror and the triumph. It was, in a way, a way for her to process and communicate what she had been through.
Her book was, in fact, turned into two television movies, which helped to bring her story to an even wider audience. This meant that the details of her survival became known to many more people, highlighting the strength she showed. As of recent reports, Barbara Mackle is, apparently, still alive and was last said to be living in South Florida. She has, basically, continued to live her life away from the intense public eye, finding a measure of peace after such a difficult start to her adult years. The question of where Barbara Mackle is today shows that her story continues to hold interest for many.
The story of Barbara Mackle being kidnapped is one that, in some respects, has a lasting impact. It's not just a tale of crime; it's a powerful account of human endurance when faced with an almost unimaginable situation. The idea of being buried alive is, of course, something that touches a deep, primal fear in many people.
Her survival, after 83 hours in a buried box, became a symbol of hope and the strength of the human spirit. It showed that even when things seem completely hopeless, there can be a way through. The fact that she not only survived but also shared her story through a book and movies, really just helped others understand the depth of her experience.
The events of December 1968, and the ordeal Barbara Mackle faced, continue to be a part of our collective memory. It's a reminder of how quickly life can change and, also, how strong people can be when put to the ultimate test. Her experience, and the way she came through it, stands as a testament to her remarkable courage.
This article has explored the compelling story of Barbara Mackle's kidnapping in 1968, detailing her life before the event, the shocking circumstances of her abduction and burial, her incredible 83-hour survival, the fate of her captors, and her life since.