48 Hours – "Abducted"

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

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.

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]

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]

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

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.

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]

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.