In December 1968, 20-year-old college student Barbara Jane Mackle endured one of the most terrifying kidnappings in American history. Her abduction and survival after being buried alive shocked the nation and remains one of the most infamous cases of its kind.
What Happened
On December 17, 1968, Barbara, then a student at Emory University, was recovering from the flu while staying with her mother at a hotel in Decatur, Georgia. That night, two individuals—Gary Steven Krist and Ruth Eisemann-Schier—posed as officials, chloroformed Barbara’s mother, and forced Barbara into their vehicle.
The kidnappers transported her to a remote area in Gwinnett County, Georgia, where they buried her alive inside a fiberglass-reinforced box equipped with air tubes, food, water, and a lamp. They demanded a $500,000 ransom from her father, wealthy land developer Robert Mackle.
Who Is Barbara Jane Mackle
Barbara was the daughter of a prominent Florida real estate developer. At just 20 years old, she became the center of national headlines after enduring one of the most shocking crimes of the late 1960s. Her resilience during captivity and survival after 83 hours underground became a powerful story of courage.
Background or Timeline
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December 17, 1968: Barbara was abducted from her hotel room in Decatur.
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December 18–19, 1968: The kidnappers negotiated ransom with her father.
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December 20, 1968: Krist provided directions to Barbara’s burial site. FBI agents successfully rescued her after 83 hours underground.
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Krist was arrested shortly after the ransom exchange. Eisemann-Schier was captured in March 1969.
Public and Media Reaction
The case gripped the nation. Newspapers across the U.S. ran front-page coverage, and the story later became the subject of Barbara’s 1971 memoir, 83 Hours Till Dawn, co-authored with journalist Gene Miller. Television adaptations further cemented the ordeal in American true-crime history.
Official Statement or What Happened Next
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Gary Steven Krist was sentenced to life in prison but paroled after ten years. He later attempted a medical career, but his license was revoked in 2003.
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Ruth Eisemann-Schier became the first woman to appear on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. She served four years before being deported to Honduras.
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Barbara survived the ordeal and lived a private life, her story serving as a chilling reminder of both human cruelty and human resilience.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
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