Natascha Kampusch

One of the most sensational kidnapping cases was the abduction of an Austrian girl named Natascha Kampusch, 10, in 1998. Eight years later, in 2006, Natascha escaped from the secret cellar where she had been kept by her kidnapper, Wolfgang Priklopil. Natascha said Priklopil had been nice to her, even giving her books, which she used to educate herself. For the first six months, she was forbidden from leaving the cellar, Natascha said. But years later, she had been allowed more time upstairs and even spent some time with Prikolpil outdoors. Although she had the chance, she had been too scared to run away.

But one day, when Priklopil had her clean his van, Natascha had her chance. When Priklopil answered a phone call, she wasted no time in making a run for it, leaving behind the vacuum cleaner she used for cleaning the vehicle running. Upon learning of Natascha’s escape, Priklopil committed suicide by throwing himself under a train. News of his death sent Natascha crying inconsolably and admitted that she sympathized with her kidnapper. Experts agree that Natascha may have developed “Stockholm Syndrome” while being held captive.