Teacher and 8-Year-Old Daughter Escape After 53 Days

Mary Stauffer, a former high school math teacher from Minnesota, and her 8-year-old daughter were kidnapped in May 1980 after leaving a hair salon. They were blindfolded, forced into a car trunk, and held at gunpoint.

The perpetrator was identified as Ming Sen Shiue, a 29-year-old former student of Stauffer's 9th-grade algebra class. Shiue was a former varsity football player and owned an electronic store. He had been stalking Stauffer for ten years due to an obsession he had developed with her.

In 1975, Ming Sen Shiue mistakenly broke into the house of Mary Stauffer's in-laws, thinking it was her residence. Upon realizing his mistake, Shiue tied up the elderly couple and threatened to kill them if they reported the incident to the police. Fearful for their lives, the couple complied with Shiue's demands and did not inform Mary about the incident since they were unaware that he was targeting her.

In 1980, Mary Stauffer and her family were making preparations to move to the Philippines where they intended to work as Christian missionaries. However, just a few days before their scheduled departure, Mary's former student, Ming Sen Shiue, finally located her.

Shiue managed to gather information about Mary's residence, workplace, and even the names of her children. He used binoculars to spy on Mary and even watched her daughter, Beth, playing with her favorite Barbie in her bedroom.

Initially, Mary did not suspect any foul play, but her peace was short-lived as Shiue later abducted her and her daughter at gunpoint.

Kidnapping 

In May 1980, Mary Stauffer and her daughter Beth were at a beauty salon, where Beth was getting a haircut before they left for the Philippines. After leaving the salon, Ming Sen Shiue approached them and held a gun to Beth's side,  and  whispered "I need a ride."

After forcing Mary and Beth into their own car at gunpoint, Ming Sen Shiue made Mary drive while he sat in the passenger seat. Although Mary had no idea who he was or what he wanted, she hoped that complying with his demands would lead to their release.

However, her hopes were dashed as Ming revealed his true identity and motive. He asked Mary, "Do you remember what grade you gave me all those years ago?" and went on to blame her for ruining his life by giving him a B-. According to him, this had destroyed his perfect academic record and now he wants revenge.

After driving for an hour, Ming Sen Shiue made Mary stop the car. He used duct tape to tie up Mary and her frightened daughter and locked them in the trunk. Mary tried to plead with him, but he did not listen.

While playing at a park nearby, 6-year-old Jason Wilkman accidentally saw Mary and Beth, who were being held captive by Ming Sen Shiue in the trunk of their car. Shiue quickly snatched Jason to eliminate any possible witnesses. Jason's family soon realized that he was missing and began searching for him in distress. Unfortunately, Shiue murdered Jason on the same day and disposed of his body in a wildlife refuge.

Ming took Mary and Beth to his house, where he chained them together and locked them in a small closet. There was only a small rug and two throw pillows inside, and he removed the doorknob so that they couldn't escape.

At the Stauffer home, Mary's husband Irv became worried when they didn't return, and their son Steve was crying for his mother. Finally, at midnight, Irv called the police to report them missing.

The FBI realized soon that the three abductions were connected, and a massive search began for Jason, Mary, and Beth.

After a month of silence, Ming finally allowed Beth to call her father Irv on Father's Day, June 15, 1980, at 10:14 pm.
Irv Stauffer: Is mommy okay?

Beth Stauffer: Yes.

Beth Stauffer: Daddy?

Irv Stauffer: Yes?

Beth Stauffer: Happy Father’s Day!

Irv Stauffer: Aww, thank you so much, sweetie!

Beth Stauffer: We can’t talk anymore.

Irv Stauffer: Um…when can you come home?

Beth Stauffer: I don’t know.

Irv Stauffer: Can I talk to him?

Beth Stauffer: No!

Ming threatened to harm Beth and the Stauffer family if Mary tried to escape. He said she belonged to him and that she would eventually love him. Mary hoped that Ming would release them but lost hope when he bought an RV and said he would take them far away.

Escape

On July 7, 1980, Ming went to work, leaving Mary and Beth chained together in the closet. Mary realized that she had to act fast before it was too late. She used her fingernails to remove the hinge pin from the closet door and finally saw a way out.

Beth was scared and reminded Mary of Ming's threat to kill them if they tried to escape. Despite this, Mary knew they had to try to get out. She told Beth that they needed to fight back, as this might be their only chance to escape.

Despite the danger, Mary and Beth decided to fight back and escaped their captor's home. They managed to find a phone, dialed 911, and the police arrived quickly. They were found hiding behind a car and were finally rescued after 53 days of captivity. The family was reunited at last.

Ming was arrested for the murder of 6-year-old Jason Wilkman, and for the kidnapping and rape of Mary and Beth Stauffer. After six months, he finally revealed where he had disposed of Jason's remains, bringing closure to his parents. In court, the Wilkmans forgave Ming for their son's death and later moved out of state for a fresh start.

During his 1981 trial, Ming brought a knife into the courtroom and attacked Mary from behind, cutting her face and neck. The wound was so deep that it required 62 stitches and left a scar.

Ming underwent a psychological evaluation and was diagnosed with sexual sadism and an anti-personality disorder. Despite this, he was deemed fit to stand trial. During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Ming had started as a normal teenager but became a recluse with an obsession with his teacher.

Ming was born in Taiwan and moved to Minnesota with his family when he was 8. Sadly, his father passed away when he was 11, and when he was 14, he started to have inappropriate sexual feelings toward his mother, Mei.

He also set fire to three homes and was put on probation as a juvenile, and he was ordered to attend therapy. During therapy, Mei described her son as a pathological liar and lacking empathy.

Ming was found guilty of all crimes and received a life sentence in prison. Presently, the 72-year-old is in jail and battling arthritis and kidney failure.