Abducted

Summary

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48 Hours – "Abducted"

Podcast by CBS News
Original Air Date: February 19, 2026

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Overview

This gripping "48 Hours" episode, titled "Abducted," explores the harrowing stories of two individuals touched by abduction—both as victims and as parents. First, the spotlight is on Glenn Hagstad, an adventurer who survives a brutal hostage ordeal in Colombia. The narrative then pivots to the emotionally charged custody battle between Cindy Graber and Paul Marinkovich, culminating in an international manhunt and a heartbreaking family reunion. Through powerful interviews, diary entries, and heart-to-heart conversations, the episode examines the enduring impact of abduction on individuals, families, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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Segment 1: Glenn Hagstad’s Hostage Ordeal

[00:05 – 12:53]

Glenn’s Adventurous Spirit and Preparation

• Glenn Hagstad, motorcycle traveler, recounts starting a "dream ride" through Latin America, planning every detail for safety and communication.
  • "Motorcycling is the ultimate form of freedom." — Glenn Hagstad [00:05]
  • "Adventure travel is really the essence of my life at this point." — Glenn Hagstad [00:26]
• His friend, Dennis Hoffman, helps with GPS and safety logistics.
  • "He spent six months researching… getting everything together, getting the proper motorcycle." — Dennis Hoffman [01:52]
• Glenn uses his credit card daily as a "check-in"; friends monitor activity for safety.
• He sets up a travel diary online ("strikingviking.net") to document his journey.

The Abduction in Colombia

• Glenn enters Colombia, aware of potential risks in a region known for civil conflict and kidnappings.
  • "From talking to people, cops, soldiers, citizens, 50-50 on whether or not it was safe to ride." — Glenn Hagstad [03:44]
• He is stopped at a guerilla roadblock 6 hours from Bogotá by armed ELN (National Liberation Army) members.
  • "They popped out of the jungle and popped out from behind the bus… They hit the lottery. They couldn’t believe it [he was American]." — Glenn Hagstad [04:06, 04:13]
• Glenn is marched into the jungle at gunpoint and held hostage.

Life as a Hostage

• Forced marches, days with little food, subjected to beatings, mock executions, and degrading abuse.
  • "I'm so skinny now, my bones protrude through my clothing. I wonder if anybody even knows I'm alive." — Glenn Hagstad (diary) [09:29]
• Glenn’s martial arts background helps him survive mentally, but offers no physical escape.
  • "To take on a bunch of guys with machine guns… No, I don't think so." — Glenn Hagstad [08:48]
• He writes a diary, tries to gain captors’ trust by convincing them he wants to write about them.
• Glenn’s friends back home fear the worst as communications stop; the US Embassy is slow to act, so his friends attempt their own rescue, only to be deported.

Release and Unbroken Spirit

• After 33 days, the rebels contact the Red Cross, releasing Glenn without a ransom—possibly as part of a holiday truce.
  • "They never wanted anything. They never asked for a dime." — Glenn Hagstad [10:56]
• Glenn, despite losing 50 pounds and enduring trauma, insists on continuing his motorcycle expedition instead of returning home.
  • "I believe it would destroy me as a man to give up and go home." — Glenn Hagstad [11:44]
• With support from friends who send new gear, Glenn resumes his journey, determined not to let the ordeal derail his spirit.
  • "Whenever I experience any type of setback, I'm determined to come out ahead." — Glenn Hagstad [12:47]
• “Nothing stops the Striking Viking.” — Dennis Hoffman [11:54]

Memorable Moment

• Glenn breaks down when pressed about the details of physical abuse, poignantly showcasing the deep wounds left by captivity.
  • "Need a break? Huh? Can I take a break? Sure. I can't talk about that." — [10:22]

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Segment 2: The Gabriel Marinkovich International Abduction Case

[13:11 – 37:26]

The Abduction and Life on the Run

• Cindy Graber flees the US with her son Gabriel after a bitter divorce, using false names and passports, evading authorities for four years across Sweden, Spain, and Scotland.
  • "I had no idea I would now end up a criminal... indicted by a grand jury for kidnapping my own child." — Cindy Graber [13:11]
• Cindy alleges sexual abuse by her ex-husband Paul Marinkovich and his son, but investigations find no substantiation.
• Paul, devastated at losing his son, launches a dogged search, appealing to US and foreign authorities, and even Swedish TV.

The Emotional Aftermath of Parental Abduction

• Gabriel is told they’re on “vacation”; grows up using aliases, fearing police, absorbing mother’s narrative that he’s in danger.
  • "I had to use Johanson as my last name because my dad was looking for me." — Gabriel Marinkovich [23:27]
• Paul battles global jurisdictions, feeling let down by the FBI and State Department, turning to private efforts.
  • "The FBI was completely ineffective. The State Department was completely ineffective." — Paul Marinkovich [21:49]
• Both sides allege manipulation, abuse, and betrayal, leaving Gabriel emotionally torn.

Legal Resolution and Reunion

• Cindy is arrested in Scotland after years in hiding; Gabriel is repatriated to the US, placed with his father.
• Judge grants Paul temporary custody; Cindy must accept a plea deal for probation and supervised visits.
  • "I will serve probation. But I have to admit guilty to the charge of kidnapping." — Cindy Graber [30:40]
• Father and son are warily reunited under supervision, rebuilding trust
  • "He’s been taught I’m a bad guy… For me just to walk up and hug him and take him home, it’s not the proper way... We have to build trust." — Paul Marinkovich [28:20]
• Gabriel expresses mature understanding of both parents' choices and acknowledges the pain all sides endured.
  • "When I look at it, it wasn’t that fair." — Gabriel Marinkovich on his mother’s actions [36:55]

Courtroom Finale and Its Aftermath

• Jury trial in Texas delivers custody to Paul after emotional deliberations and Gabriel’s own heartfelt note.
  • "I love you guys both. So it’s hard to decide." — Gabriel’s note, read in court [35:24]
• Cindy’s rights are limited to supervised visits after the court finds her abuse allegations unsubstantiated.

Notable Quotes

• "My heart's been ripped out of me. It's just this constant, constant pain." — Cindy Graber [36:02]
• "My child didn’t forget about his dad... And he didn’t buy into 100% all that was being told to him.” — Paul Marinkovich [29:13]
• "We don’t say goodbye. We say, see you soon." — Cindy Graber [30:57]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:05 – 12:53: Glenn Hagstad’s abduction and survival account
• 13:11 – 37:26: The Gabriel Marinkovich abduction, international custody battle, and legal outcomes

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Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Sensitive, intense, empathetic—giving voice to all sides while highlighting the unbearable cost of abduction, whether criminal or familial.
• Central Message: The scars of abduction run deep. Both Glenn and Gabriel endure trauma that persists long after physical rescue. Family love and resilience are tested, with nobody truly “winning”—only coping, healing, and surviving.
• Memorable Moments: Glenn’s breakdown when asked about his treatment in captivity, Gabriel’s handwritten note, and the courtroom audio revealing a child’s confusion.

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Notable Quotes

• "I am thankful that I’m still alive." — Glenn Hagstad, diary [09:29]
• "We don’t say goodbye. We say, see you soon." — Cindy Graber [30:57]
• "I love you guys both. So it’s hard to decide." — Gabriel Marinkovich, note [35:24]
• "My whole desire is that my children can love who they want to love and have the freedom to talk about it." — Cindy Graber [33:04]

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Conclusion

This episode of "48 Hours" masterfully interweaves two stories of abduction—one of random violence, one of deeply personal conflict. Both expose the limitations of courage, the imperfections of justice, and the bitter complexity of the human condition when families are torn apart, yet hope endures.

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Transcript

[Glenn Hagstad]

Motorcycling is the ultimate form of freedom. Soar through the mountains on these fresh laid asphalt roads with gently banked turns that snake down through the jungle.

[Narrator]

Glenn Hagstad is on the adventure of a lifetime.

[Glenn Hagstad]

It's one of those dream rides you never want to end.

[Narrator]

A year long motorcycle trip from his home in Palm Springs, California.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Adventure travel is really the essence of my life at this point.

[Narrator]

Through Mexico City, Central America and all the way to the tip of South America and back.

[Glenn Hagstad]

I like to ride motorcycles, I like Latin America. And tips seem like a nice place to go to.

[Narrator]

20,000 miles along the toughest terrain in the world. John run through countries torn by guerrilla warfare. Are you drawn to hot spots? Are you drawn to danger?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Well, as opposed to Disneyland or a golf course, yeah.

[Narrator]

Glenn owns a security firm. He's a former Hells angel who's seen his share of danger on motorcycle adventures before.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yeah, I've been hit with baseball bats, two by fours, tire irons, machetes. It's a package deal, you know when you take that path.

[Narrator]

But this time he got more than he bargained for. So you're an adventurer, a risk taker and an outlaw. And a former hostage.

[Glenn Hagstad]

And a former hostage, that's right.

[Narrator]

With his 50th birthday approaching, Glenn began carefully planning his trip through Latin America.

[Dennis Hoffman]

He loves adventure, he lives for it, he thrives on it. But he's a very smart, savvy guy too.

[Narrator]

Good friend and fellow motorcycle enthusiast Dennis Hoffman.

[Dennis Hoffman]

He spent six months researching it, getting everything together, getting the proper motorcycle. It's electric vest, proper computer systems, waterproof computers. I gave him GPS systems, satellite navigation so he could know where he's at at all times. And he spent a lot of time in research, knowing where he was going and how he was going to get there.

[Narrator]

No detail was overlooked. Glen even created a website under his nickname, the Striking Viking, www.strikingviking.net where he could post a D of his travels.

[Dennis Hoffman]

We kept in contact and I kept track of Glenn by his emails, daily emails.

[Narrator]

If Glenn couldn't find access to the Internet, his friends had other ways of tracking his progress.

[Dennis Hoffman]

The plan was to use a credit card. Every day, a certain credit card, and if he didn't use the card, we would know there was a problem.

[Glenn Hagstad]

You study, you prepare for it and you go.

[Narrator]

Glenn left palm Springs on October 1st. And a month later, after traveling 5,000 miles through Mexico and Central America, he rode into Bogota, Colombia, and into the crossfire of a brutal 30 year civil war. A conflict financed by drug trafficking. And hostage taking. You knew that you were a potential target for the kidnappers. You knew that?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Absolutely.

[Narrator]

And you've accepted that risk?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Absolutely.

[Narrator]

Why didn't you bring a weapon with you?

[Glenn Hagstad]

I am a weapon. I'm a 4th degree black belt in judo, 3rd degree black belt in karate, a 1st degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu, and a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu jitsu.

[Narrator]

Brazilian. What warnings were issued to you in Colombia before you left Bogota?

[Glenn Hagstad]

From talking to people, cops, soldiers, citizens, 50. 50 on whether or not it was safe to ride.

[Narrator]

From Bogota, Glenn decided to travel northwest to the city of Medellin. But six hours into the trip, while driving along this highway, he was stopped at a military style roadblock by a group of guerrillas armed with AK47 rifles.

[Glenn Hagstad]

They popped out of the jungle and popped out from behind the bus. The guerrillas.

[Narrator]

What did they tell you to do?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Get off the motorcycle. And then they just. They started jabbing me one of their guns and just screaming. They didn't realize I was American. And of course, that's. They hit the lottery. They couldn't believe it.

[Narrator]

So they marched you into the jungle.

[Glenn Hagstad]

That was it. About 10, 15 minutes into the hike, I asked them, who are you? Quien es ustedes? They said, eln.

[Narrator]

The eln, the National Liberation army, is one of Colombia's guerrilla groups which funds its revolution through extortion and ransom from mass kidnappings. Last year, the rebels took 350 hostages. One of them was an American.

[Glenn Hagstad]

I got raked over the cold by these guys. They would tie me up, spit in my face, give me their little treatments, and spit in my face again. This was because I was an American.

[Narrator]

His time in captivity would only get.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Darker for the first three or four.

[Narrator]

Struggling to survive days with little or no food.

[Glenn Hagstad]

I'm so skinny now, my bones protrude through my clothing. I wonder if anybody even knows I'm alive and torture.

[Narrator]

Did they abuse you physically?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

When Glenn Hagstadt went searching for adventure in Latin America, this was going to.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Be the challenge of a lifetime.

[Narrator]

Being taken hostage by left wing guerrillas in the jungles of Colombia wasn't exactly what he had in mind.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Every single day when I was in captivity, I assumed that was the day I was going to be killed.

[Narrator]

But his disappearance didn't go unnoticed. Back home in Carson City, Nevada, friends like Dennis Hoff were worried.

[Dennis Hoffman]

And I kept track of Glenn by daily emails.

[Narrator]

Strikingviking.net up until now, Glenn had been religiously posting messages on his website. But the emails had stopped.

[Dennis Hoffman]

You're tracking his footsteps and all of a sudden it just stops dead. The trail stops. Your guts start grinding like this, and you know what? They don't quit grinding.

[Narrator]

Hoff immediately contacted friends in Colombia who began searching for Glenn.

[Dennis Hoffman]

We had people check all the hospitals from Bogota to Medellin, all the wrecking yards, thinking that maybe he got his motorcycle impounded and was arrested and nothing like that had happened. So at that point we realized that he'd probably been kidnapped.

[Narrator]

The American Embassy in Bogota confirmed that Glenn had been taken hostage. But Hoff claims they were slow in trying to win his release and refused to negotiate with the rebels.

[Dennis Hoffman]

The reality is we were ready to deal with the devil. We didn't care what the US Embassy said or did. We want him out.

[Narrator]

Frustrated, Glenn's friends flew to Columbia and attempted to mount a rescue mission of their own.

[Dennis Hoffman]

We had the Army Ranger people, ex Army Ranger people, prepared to try to find him and to rescue him.

[Narrator]

But Colombian authorities learned about the unauthorized rescue plan and had Glenn's friends deported from the country. By now, three weeks had passed and Glenn was losing hope that he'd ever emerge from the jungle alive.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Even when I'd finally rest and I'd lay down at night and bugs crawling all over me, I'd still be mumbling all night. I will survive. I will survive. I will survive. I will survive. This gringo's not going down easy.

[Narrator]

Glenn says his 23 years of martial arts experience helped him survive. But he was no match for gorillas with guns.

[Glenn Hagstad]

But to take on a bunch of guys with machine guns when you don't have one? No, I don't think so.

[Narrator]

Ten hours a day, Glenn was forced to march.

[Glenn Hagstad]

We'd be climbing straight up. We hit the Ridge and then down.

[Narrator]

The other side, with nothing more to sustain him than a bowl of rice and sugared water.

[Glenn Hagstad]

And every day it was masariba, masariba, higher into the mountains.

[Narrator]

In your mind, what was your only shot for survival?

[Glenn Hagstad]

My only shot for survival was to convince them that I was there to write about them.

[Narrator]

The rebels gave him a pad and pen. He kept a diary during his 33 days in captivity. Thanksgiving Day, 2001.

[Glenn Hagstad]

My first line is, I am thankful that I'm still alive. Comandante's been rallying the troops every morning, now gives a short speech on discipline. They all sing the guerrilla fight song. I'm so skinny now, my bones protrude through my clothing. Sleeping on the hard floor at night with my bones directly on the cement floor is painful. I'm always hungry. I've stopped picking the insects out of my food. It's my only source of protein. I wonder if anybody even knows I'm alive.

[Narrator]

Did they abuse you physically?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Because you weren't compliant? Or just because they wanted to? Is it too difficult to talk about that?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Need a break? Huh? Can I take a break? Sure. I can't talk about that. Okay. Don't even bring that up to me.

[Narrator]

In his 33 days as a hostage, Glenn endured beatings, mock executions, and degrading abuse.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Got it all under control, except that it just triggered something, you know, I can't.

[Narrator]

Finally, on December 8, Glenn's ordeal ended as suddenly as it began.

[Glenn Hagstad]

They never wanted anything. They never asked for a dime.

[Narrator]

The rebels alerted the Red Cross that a hostage would be released into their custody, possibly as part of a Christmas truce.

[Glenn Hagstad]

When I came through the clearing and I looked down and I saw the. The Red Cross wagon there, I mean, I was shaking. It was quite an emotional moment.

[Narrator]

Glenn lost 50 pounds in captivity. And while dehydrated and malnourished, he refused to be hospitalized. The Red Cross later turned Glenn over into the custody of waiting FBI agents who brought him back here to the Bogota airport. Arrangements were made for a new passport and a ticket on the first plane back to the United States. But to everyone's surprise, Glenn had other plans.

[Glenn Hagstad]

I believe it would destroy me as a man to give up and go home.

[Narrator]

Remarkably, Glenn resolved to continue his trip.

[Dennis Hoffman]

He's just going to do it. He was not coming home. Case closed. Full stop. I'm going. That's it.

[Narrator]

A month later, nothing stops the striking Viking. A new bike arrived in Quito, Ecuador. Is that a beautiful sight? And a new laptop computer and digital camera, spare gps, all Gifts from his friends back home.

[Glenn Hagstad]

As soon as they got word that I was alive, and soon as they got word that I was being released, they were hustling another bike. They were ordered in parts.

[Narrator]

Sounds like great friends, Glenn.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yeah, that's an understatement.

[Narrator]

When we last spoke to Glenn, he was traveling somewhere in Brazil.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Well, I keep telling myself the worst is over.

[Narrator]

He may not make it home until the fall, but he's already planning for his next adventure to Siberia.

[Glenn Hagstad]

That's my policy in life. Whenever I experience any type of setback, I'm determined to come out ahead.

[Dennis Hoffman]

He's my hero.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Thank you.

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[Narrator]

Just before midnight, a young mother is returned home to Corpus Christi, Texas, in the custody of federal marshals.

[Cindy Graber]

I had no idea I would now end up a criminal.

[Narrator]

An international fugitive.

[Cindy Graber]

Chased by the FBI, Interpol, Europol. Indicted by a grand jury for kidnapping my own child.

[Narrator]

Her name is Cindy Graber. Lyndon. You used aliases, right?

[Cindy Graber]

I used Johansen, my first name. I called myself Sophie.

[Narrator]

She's been the focus of a manhunt for four years. After taking her son Gabriel out of the United States, it became a kind.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Of a passion for her to hide, to beat the system, to live on the run. Captain Gabe.

[Narrator]

She would not share custody of the little boy with her ex husband. Any regrets?

[Cindy Graber]

I regret that I wasn't a lot more careful who I had a child with.

[Paul Marinkovich]

This is the month before he was abducted.

[Narrator]

But Paul Marinkovich is Gabriel's father.

[Paul Marinkovich]

It's been like loving a ghost. Doing a good job there, Cap. I haven't been able to see, feel, touch, hear from him, talk to him on the phone. He's been like the lost child.

[Narrator]

Gabriel Marinkovich, now 10, is at the heart of this custody battle. Who does Gabriel want to live with?

[Cindy Graber]

Who he's always lived with. His mother, his family.

[Narrator]

It's a bitter dispute.

[Cindy Graber]

He's a lunatic. My ex husband is a delusional, obsessive, abusive lunatic.

[Paul Marinkovich]

She's not dealing with a balanced playing field. She's not a balanced person.

[Narrator]

A dispute that's involved the governments of four nations and together cost both parents hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[Cindy Graber]

When you have to protect your child, you have to do whatever it takes.

[Narrator]

Twelve years ago, things were very different.

[Paul Marinkovich]

We were married on the bluffs in Santa Monica, and it was kind of a medieval type theme.

[Narrator]

Paul arrived at his wedding dressed in medieval costume, riding a white horse.

[Paul Marinkovich]

It was interesting. It was different.

[Cindy Graber]

Whisper to my bridesmaid and my mom. I don't think I can do this. What Is he doing? Where's your baby, Delancey?

[Narrator]

Paul worked in real estate. Cindy was a stay at home mom with Paul's son Michael and Cindy's daughter Delancey, both from previous marriages. The couple had an instant family. And in a year, Gabriel was born.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Here's the real Christmas.

[Narrator]

But not long after the birth, Cindy says things began to change dramatically. Cindy claims Paul's son Michael had molested her two year old daughter.

[Cindy Graber]

At the time I just thought, my God, my God, I gotta get the hell out of here.

[Narrator]

Even worse, she would later claim Paul himself had molested the little girl. Did a medical examination of Delancey confirm your fears that she had been violated?

[Cindy Graber]

I took her to a special sexual abuse evaluator that saw tearing and some scarring and unfortunately those records seem to have disappeared.

[Narrator]

Did you do anything inappropriate, Anything that could be misconstrued?

[Paul Marinkovich]

Absolutely not. I love that child. I love Delancey like she was my own daughter.

[Narrator]

Did Michael do anything inappropriate?

[Paul Marinkovich]

Absolutely. Michael was a functional five year old child.

[Narrator]

Is it possible that you're mistaken?

[Cindy Graber]

Is it possible that my daughter is lying? No.

[Narrator]

Both children, Delancey and Michael were sent to see different child therapists.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Michael was left feeling like he was responsible for this.

[Narrator]

One therapist who treated Michael concluded there was a high likelihood that some serious sexual improprieties had occurred. Child Protective services was notified and investigated, but they found the allegation baseless and no charges were pursued.

[Paul Marinkovich]

What kind of person would do that? Obviously someone who isn't capable of parenting a child.

[Narrator]

Three years after their fairytale marriage, Paul and Cindy separated. Paul denying then and steadfastly denying today that either he or his son ever molested Delancey. Cindy and the children moved to Texas, to Corpus Christi. But that wasn't the end of anything, not by a long shot. In fact, it was barely the beginning.

[Cindy Graber]

My only concern always, always has been the protection of Gabriel.

[Narrator]

Go.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Go.

[Narrator]

After the divorce, though he maintained his innocence, Paul did agree to visit Gabriel only under supervised conditions.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Biggest mistake I ever made was signing that agreement. I regret it.

[Narrator]

Cindy, meanwhile, fell in love with a Swedish man named Michael Lindon, who became a surrogate father to Gabriel. And Delancey worried that he would lose contact with Gabriel, Paul filed for increased visitation.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Her whole life has been about moving from one place to another place to another place. She just can't stay still. And so I knew that she was planning on moving.

[Narrator]

How would you.

[Cindy Graber]

Lancey, turn around.

[Narrator]

Cindy was resisting, still believing Paul had molested her daughter. So she asked the Texas judge Overseeing Paul's visitation request to order a new investigation.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I'm going to open my book. I'm going to let people see what I'm being accused of, and then I'm going to defend myself and show them why it's not true.

[Narrator]

A court appointed psychologist found that Paul did not abuse any of his children. Moreover, the psychologist said it was Cindy who used manipulation to convince the children involved that abuse had occurred. Why would she go to these lengths?

[Paul Marinkovich]

Because it's effective. It works. I hate to say it, but it works. Works really well. It's the number one reason in cases of abduction.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Hey, Gabe.

[Narrator]

The judge granted Paul increased visitation rights.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Turn to your Left, Captain. On August 18, 1996, my son and I shared a boat on the Corpus Christi harbor and we had a loving father and son relationship.

[Narrator]

Although he didn't know it at the time, that would be his last visit with Gabriel.

[Paul Marinkovich]

The next day, he was whisked out.

[Narrator]

Of the country, determined to keep Gabriel from his father.

[Cindy Graber]

I was at my wit's end financially, emotionally, everything.

[Narrator]

Cindy takes her children and runs.

[Paul Marinkovich]

My son's been programmed to hate his father. Coming up right now, I'm in Healdsburg here in Helsingborg. I went to Stockholm yesterday.

[Narrator]

Paul's desperate search for his kidnapped son.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I really need your help here.

[Narrator]

That's next. Hi, I'm Katie Ring and welcome to crime house 24 7. Throughout the day, we bring you up to the minute crime coverage as stories break with daytime episodes hosted by Vanessa Richardson, keeping you informed on the cases unfolding right now. And at night, I take you deeper.

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[Narrator]

The evidence, the people at the center of today's biggest cases. New episodes of Crime House 24.7drop every weekday. Listen to and follow Crime House 24.7.

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[Narrator]

When Paul Marinkovich arrived at Cindy's house in Corpus Christi to see Gabriel again, the house was empty.

[Paul Marinkovich]

It was sure terror. I knew Gabriel was kidnapped. Gabriel had been so fervent in asking me if I was going to come back that I absolutely knew that it had occurred.

[Narrator]

Cindy and the children had moved to Sweden, where they went into hiding with Cindy's new husband, a Swedish national. At the time, Gabriel was six years old.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

What is it?

[Cindy Graber]

What is it?

[Narrator]

How did she explain to you that you had to leave the United States and move to Sweden?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

She said we were going to go on a vacation.

[Narrator]

You took this child and you fled the country?

[Cindy Graber]

I didn't take the child. I always had the child. The child Was in my custody when I left. And I've left the country before with my child with no problem.

[Narrator]

We know that you broke the law, right?

[Cindy Graber]

No, I didn't break the law. I was in contempt of court on not giving my address and saying where I had moved to.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Kidnapped. Absolutely kidnapped.

[Narrator]

The State Department issued a warrant for Cindy's arrest and broadcast an international crime alert throughout Europe. If you have any information, contact the nearest U.S. embassy. But it didn't help.

[Paul Marinkovich]

The FBI was completely ineffective. The State Department was completely ineffective.

[Narrator]

So Paul launched a one man crusade to bring his son home. Appearing before a Senate committee.

[Paul Marinkovich]

If we don't treat the abduction of our children as a serious matter, then how can we expect those other countries involved to fight for our children's return?

[Narrator]

Convincing Swedish television to broadcast a segment about Gabriel. Gabriel Marinkovic on its version of America's most wanted. FBI's list. Flying to Sweden several times to search for his son.

[Paul Marinkovich]

We've got a full agenda today.

[Narrator]

Pleading his case with Swedish officials.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Got to go to the police department, enroll their help. Going to go call the office of Foreign Ministry and see if they can get me a visit.

[Narrator]

Documenting every step with a home video camera.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Having a difficult time finding her, but I think I'm on the right track.

[Narrator]

But Cindy soon learned of Paul's efforts and before the Swedish authorities could move.

[Paul Marinkovich]

In December 22nd, 3:30 in the morning. I can't sleep.

[Narrator]

She took Gabriel and disappeared again, winding up in the resort village of Malaga in southern Spain, where she got by barely with odd jobs.

[Cindy Graber]

I went and applied for a legitimate job in Spain and used the last name of my favorite author, Sydney Sheldon.

[Narrator]

Six months after arriving in Spain, Cindy found a lost passport and assumed the identity. She used it to move one more time to Scotland, where the family settled in a village just outside of Edinburgh. Did you know that you were in hiding at that time?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Well, kind of. I had to use Johanson as my last name because my dad was looking for me.

[Narrator]

What else did you do to make sure that no one knew who you really were?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I had to kind of avoid cops.

[Narrator]

You had to avoid the police?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yes. The police was helping my dad, so my mom didn't want me to go too close to the police. He's not there, Mom.

[Narrator]

Cindy says her every move was because of fear. Watch out for the guy with the pizza. Fear that Paul would be awarded custody of the little boy.

[Paul Marinkovich]

You almost got 50.

[Narrator]

Do you really believe that Paul would hurt him?

[Cindy Graber]

I can only go by my daughter and what she lives with from what he did to her.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I knew that we were in danger.

[Narrator]

Delancey, Cindy's daughter, says she remembers being sexually abused by Paul, despite the fact that she was two and a half at the time.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I can remember I always used to feel scared around him. I can remember that I felt that he was sort of a creepy.

[Narrator]

A few years back, Delancey drew pictures of memories that she says still haunt her.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I drew these when I was in Spain when I was six. And, I mean, I'd rather just not exactly talk about it.

[Narrator]

Are these allegations true, Del?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Paul did hurt you.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Where can those kids be?

[Narrator]

You weren't even three years old when these things happened. Do you remember?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I mean, people think that children don't remember. We do. We do remember. Maybe not everyone doesn't like to talk about it, but we do remember.

[Narrator]

Delancey told me, you did do something inappropriate.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Delancey might believe that that to be true, but Mama was telling Delancey that she was abused. It's sickening, Troy. It's sickening what's been done to that little girl.

[Narrator]

Did you coach Delancey into making these horrible allegations?

[Cindy Graber]

No.

[Narrator]

In June of 2000, Cindy's nearly four years on the run from the man she believed endangered her children ended sharply.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

And suddenly they said, like, are you Gabriel? And I'm like, yeah. And they're like, FBI, you know?

[Narrator]

10 detectives from Scotland Yard acting on information from the FBI, surrounded her small apartment.

[Cindy Graber]

You know why 10? Because on their list, they had number one. I was armed and dangerous.

[Narrator]

They took her into custody, placing Gabriel in a temporary foster home. A Scottish judge ruled Cindy had violated international anti kidnapping laws and ordered her to face an extradition hearing. Gabriel, the judge said, would have to return to the United States at once.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Gabriel used to call me Poppy.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Hi, Papi.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Papi this, Poppy that. I'd give anything to hear that right now.

[Narrator]

It's been four years since Paul Marinkovich last saw his son Gabriel. But now they will finally be reunited.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I hope I can get it back to where he had it once. I'm nervous about it. I really am.

[Narrator]

A judge has ordered that Gabriel be returned to the United States following his mother's arrest in Scotland for kidnapping her son. After spending nine days in prison, I.

[Cindy Graber]

Was put in a maximum security prison.

[Narrator]

Cindy posts Bailey.

[Cindy Graber]

I was listed as armed and dangerous.

[Narrator]

But her movements are closely monitored as she awaits extradition to the United States. You managed to elude authorities for nearly four years, and they caught up with you. Do you feel like they won?

[Cindy Graber]

All I did was Buy my son some more time. Some more time of normality, security, and happiness.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Ernest, for all our goods. Before flying back to Texas, Gabriel, who's been in foster care in Scotland since his mother's arrest, is allowed to see Cindy one last time. You gave him some advice?

[Cindy Graber]

Yeah. I just told him to hang in there and do whatever he feels he needs to do to remain safe. That I will be there, I will fight for him. I will get him out of any bad situations.

[Narrator]

What did your mom say to you when you last saw her in Scotland?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

She told me that she loved me.

[Narrator]

And stuff like that and to be brave.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I'm interested in Gabriel winning in Texas.

[Narrator]

Paul and his new wife Margarita, wait anxiously to see Gabriel. But child therapists advise them to proceed slowly.

[Paul Marinkovich]

He's been taught that I'm a bad guy. And for me just to walk up and hug him and take him home, it's not the proper way in which to handle this. We have to. To reintegrate. We have to build trust.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I haven't known my dad for four years, and my mom told a lot of bad things about my dad. So I was kind of nervous and kind of scared, too.

[Narrator]

What kind of bad things? Did she say?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

My dad was a bad person and we were running away for a good reason.

[Narrator]

And you believed her?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yes. Cause like, I didn't really remember my dad.

[Narrator]

After hearing from court appointed psychologists, a judge grants Paul one supervised visit with Gabriel.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I'm beating up a hook and going fishing with my son this afternoon. I couldn't ask for anything more.

[Narrator]

For Paul, the fishing trip was one he had waited four long years to take.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

It's a nice big whooper.

[Paul Marinkovich]

My child didn't forget about his dad. He didn't forget about the relationship we had. And he didn't buy into 100% all that was being told to him.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Good morning, folks.

[Narrator]

Just days later, Paul scores his first legal victory, winning temporary custody of Gabriel until the case goes to court the next year.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Go get him. Go get your boy.

[Paul Marinkovich]

This child has missed something for four years of his life. He's got it back. We're gonna go pick up our son and take him home.

[Narrator]

Still in England, Cindy decides not to fight extradition and surrenders to authorities at Scotland Yard. After living four years in hiding across Europe, her greatest challenge awaits her back home. Are you prepared to fight?

[Cindy Graber]

I wouldn't be going back to America if I wasn't prepared to fight to.

[Narrator]

Somehow win custody of her son in court.

[Cindy Graber]

I'm gonna fight with everything I've got that's.

[Narrator]

After four years on the run, Cindy Linden has come home to Corpus Christi, Texas, a prisoner. But the very next day, after posting a $50,000 bond, she agrees to apply plea bargain with the Department of Justice.

[Cindy Graber]

I won't go to trial. I will serve probation. But I have to admit guilty to the charge of kidnapping.

[Narrator]

Cindy is allowed to see Gabriel only briefly, to say goodbye.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

We don't say goodbye. We say, see you soon.

[Cindy Graber]

See you soon.

[Narrator]

Before her ex husband, Paul Marinkovich. Yeah. Takes him home to Los Angeles.

[Paul Marinkovich]

We're on our way back to California. Right, Gabe?

[Narrator]

He now has temporary custody.

[Paul Marinkovich]

He's grown up a lot, hasn't he?

[Narrator]

The next day. Happy birthday to you. They celebrate his 10th birthday.

[Paul Marinkovich]

We had gifts and birthday presents for every birthday and Christmas that he missed.

[Narrator]

Oh, my God.

[Paul Marinkovich]

And he felt as if he had lived here, at least in our hearts, during. During the time he was missing.

[Narrator]

Hey.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Good morning.

[Narrator]

Gabriel's life begins to take shape. Boing. The old fake sleep school.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I got the honor roll.

[Narrator]

You're on honor roll. Do you study hard?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Well, my dad helps me study a lot.

[Narrator]

That's great, Gabe.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I know.

[Narrator]

Vacation trips.

[Paul Marinkovich]

How do you like Disneyland? You having fun?

[Narrator]

That's great. No, at home, he becomes fast friends with his stepbrother, Ivan.

[Cindy Graber]

We became friends from the first day.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah, as soon as he hit me with that pillow.

[Cindy Graber]

No, you hit me with that pillow.

[Narrator]

Is that how you guys became friends? With a pillow fight?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yep.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Gabriel's realized that there's been a home waiting for him all along. He might not have known what it looked like.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah, I bought it, dude. I knew it.

[Paul Marinkovich]

But when he got here, he felt like he was home.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Hey, dad. You're the best.

[Narrator]

We love you so much. For the next year, Paul and Cindy fight over visitation. And Cindy sees Gabriel only twice. She tries unsuccessfully to remove the judge from the case, and then prepares for the final chapter. A trial by jury to determine which parent will get permanent custody of Gabriel.

[Glenn Hagstad]

In each of these armies where the testimony you're about to get into.

[Narrator]

Is it possible that this protracted battle between you and your ex husband has nothing to do with Gabriel, but everything to do with the bitterness between the two of you?

[Cindy Graber]

I'm not playing this game for myself or to get at Paul. My whole desire is that my children can love who they want to love and have the freedom to talk about it?

[Narrator]

All right, the jury's ready. Texas is the only state in the country that gives parents the unusual option of determining child custody cases by jury.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Welcome to the 94th District Court.

[Narrator]

But before the trial even begins, Cindy is dealt a devastating blow. The judge rules that because an earlier investigation found no merit to Cindy's claims of sexual abuse, witnesses are barred from testifying about the allegations.

[Glenn Hagstad]

You sign this word of testimony, you're about to get in his car.

[Narrator]

But Cindy's team never stops trying. Under questioning her daughter, Delancey finds a way to allude to the allegations of abuse. What advantage would it be for Gabriel to be placed in Cindy's home and remain with you and your family here?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

He would have good love, his father's side. We give him the man, though.

[Narrator]

Do you understand the tremendous responsibility that this jury has?

[Glenn Hagstad]

Let's take a moment.

[Narrator]

Gabriel does not take the stand directly. What is this, Mr. Marinkovich? But make no mistake, what you're gonna.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Hear is the conversation we had in the car.

[Narrator]

His voice is heard.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

You're Paul, not my dad. I already got my dad. Nelson.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I'm your dad.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

No.

[Narrator]

Paul's attorneys introduce an audio tape showing the deep confusion of a child caught in the middle.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Who told you that I'm not your dad?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Cause my mommy, she called my mikio dad.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Well, I think you might feel a little bit confused, Gabriel.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

What?

[Paul Marinkovich]

Cause I don't want to lie to you and tell you that I'm not your.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Yeah.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Because I am. And I love you very much. And that's why I'm here.

[Narrator]

And Gabriel's court appointed guardian. I just want to offer evidence. Written by Gabriel gives the jury a handwritten note to his parents. If there was something he could tell.

[Paul Marinkovich]

Everybody here in court, what would he tell him?

[Narrator]

I love you guys both. He writes. So it's hard to decide.

[Glenn Hagstad]

That's probably the most profound, if not the most important piece of evidence that's admitted.

[Narrator]

The jury hears evidence for nearly three weeks.

[Glenn Hagstad]

I understand we have a verdict. Would you hand that to William, please?

[Narrator]

But it takes them less than three hours to deliver their verdict.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Question one. Answer. Paul Marinkovich.

[Narrator]

Paul Marinkovich is awarded custody of Gabriel.

[Cindy Graber]

I mean, I had asked my lawyer what. What's going on? I was in shock.

[Glenn Hagstad]

Thank you very much, folks. You're excused.

[Cindy Graber]

My heart's been ripped out of me. It's just this constant, constant pain.

[Narrator]

Cindy was granted supervised visits. How did you feel when you heard that your father won custody?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

It was a good feeling because he was coming back and everything was over with. And now he could, like, do a lot of stuff with me. And it won't be so busy.

[Narrator]

Do you miss your mom?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah. But I know I'm gonna be seeing her soon because we're working at visitations and now we're gonna talk on the phone every Thursday at 4:00'.

[Cindy Graber]

Clock.

[Narrator]

You grew up pretty fast. Over four years.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

I do. They went fast.

[Narrator]

How do you feel about your mom doing that now?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

When I look at it, it wasn't that fair.

[Narrator]

Fair to who?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

My dad.

[Narrator]

To your dad?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Paul Marinkovich]

I had to fight really hard for my family. And I want the lights to turn off, the cameras to go away. What you could have wiped out instead?

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah, I could have wiped it out.

[Paul Marinkovich]

And I want to just enjoy my family.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

Yeah, I know.

[Narrator]

Cindy Graber appealed the case to the Texas Court of Appeals and lost.

[Paul Marinkovich]

This ended her custody battle for Gabriel.

[Cindy Graber]

Can you keep a secret? Died.

[Narrator]

It turns out I hadn't died. Now streaming on Paramount.

[Cindy Graber]

Plus, the money from your dad's life insurance finally came through. Please, this is fraud.

[Narrator]

A new original series.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

You have to give the money back.

[Cindy Graber]

What sort of friend blackmails their own mates?

[Narrator]

We're a crime family.

[Cindy Graber]

Oh, don't be silly. We're just a bit complicated. Like the Beckhams.

[Narrator]

Can you keep a secret? New series now streaming on Paramount.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

It is my great honor to welcome you all to Starfleet Academy.

[Narrator]

There's never been a better time to enroll in Star Trek.

[Gabriel Marinkovich]

It's our job to prepare you for the unimaginable.

[Cindy Graber]

To the night Cadet.

[Narrator]

In high pressure situations, positive reinforcement is crucial to one's success.

[Paul Marinkovich]

You're doing a great job. This is what we train for.

[Dennis Hoffman]

These friends of mine, they all live for something bigger than themselves.

[Narrator]

And that's Starfleet. Starfleet Academy. New series now streaming on Paramount. Plus.