There’s the outdated adage that reality is stranger than fiction, and that’s by no means been extra true than in Captive Viewers: A Actual American Horror Story. The three-part docuseries, now streaming on Hulu, tells the true and tragic story of the Stayner household, who endured the kidnapping of 1 son and, a long time later, the arrest of one other son, Cary Stayner, for the murders of 4 ladies.
To inform this story, director Jessica Dimmock enlisted key gamers within the Stayner saga, together with Ashley Stayner, the daughter of Steven Stayner, the child who was kidnapped in 1972 and returned 8 years later to his household. In an interview with Avisionews, Ashley talks about her father’s legacy, the media scrutiny surrounding her uncle’s arrest for the murders of 4 ladies in 1999, and what it’s prefer to be concerned in a true-crime story that has fascinated hundreds of thousands of individuals for the final 40 years.
Avisionews: What was what was it like so that you can speak about your father understanding that hundreds of thousands of individuals could be listening and watching?
Ashley Stayner: It was sort of nerve-wracking somewhat bit, solely as a result of I’m not used to speaking about my dad and my household and that is sort of a primary for me. So, it was somewhat intimidating to talk to folks, particularly about one thing so emotional to me. It was somewhat tough.
How did you change into concerned within the venture?
Ashley: Andrew Jacobs [a producer of Captive Audience] had gotten a maintain of me first. He had messaged me on Fb and he requested me if I used to be enthusiastic about being interviewed. I had by no means gotten supplied or been concerned in something like that so I mentioned, “Certain, why not?”
There’s a component within the documentary the place you summarize the enchantment of true crime: “Regular folks doing regular issues till one thing unhealthy occurs.” What’s it like so that you can be not solely a fan of the style but in addition a participant in it?
Ashley: I by no means actually considered it like that till you mentioned that. I assume no one actually sits there and says, “Oh yeah, I’m part of this complicated style of tv and flicks.” It’s sort of cool now that I give it some thought, to be immersed in that.
What was essentially the most tough factor you discovered about your loved ones whereas taking pictures Captive Viewers?
Ashley: I didn’t actually notice all of the horrible issues my grandparents went via. Dropping a baby is admittedly tough and understanding their precise experiences sort of put it extra into perspective to me about what they actually went via and the way actually laborious it was for them. And since I do know my grandma now and my grandpa earlier than he died, I knew how they have been as grandparents, however I didn’t know who they have been at the moment when my father was kidnapped after which returned.
What was essentially the most tough factor you skilled throughout this course of?
Ashley: Probably the most tough factor was simply speaking about my dad. It was very emotional, solely as a result of I didn’t actually know him. So, speaking about it nonetheless sort of will get to me generally. I do know all people thinks their dad is their hero, however I feel watching the present and actually seeing all of the issues he went via actually offers me a extra in-depth thought of the kind of individual he was. And I liked him earlier than, however I liked him much more simply because he was a very good individual. There’s no taking that away from him.
What was that like going via that that that have of the media simply demanding a solution from you that you just couldn’t give?
Ashley: Proper. I imply, when my uncle was arrested for homicide, I used to be within the seventh grade. All people sort of seems to be at you want you need to have recognized about it. And my response was, “I’m simply as stunned as you might be.” Prefer it’s a shock to me as properly. I feel it will get folks pissed off as a result of they assume that because you’re his household, you need to know all the things about him. However he was all the time distant, even from his mother and pa. Nobody knew.
You attempt to do the perfect you may since you nonetheless wish to give folks info in the event that they’re asking for it. I’m greater than prepared to present no matter info that I can on this scenario. However whether or not it’s the reply journalists need, I can’t do any greater than supply what I do know.
What was it about this time with Jessica that that was totally different?
Ashley: I really like Jessica. She’s nice. She’s made this entire expertise simply so informal and very easy to precise your self and your emotions. The questions that she asks make it simple to essentially put your self again in previous conditions and convey out these reminiscences.
What do you hope viewers take away after they watch Captive Viewers?
Ashley: That’s a very good query. I feel what I would really like them to remove is that no household is ideal. All people’s household has points and secrets and techniques. I feel with my household, it was simply on the market extra. On the finish of the day, we’re all simply human beings going via life collectively and making an attempt to determine all the things out.
My dad and grandparents have been tremendous younger when he was kidnapped. Errors have been made, however nice issues occurred too that aren’t talked about. I assume you may’t decide folks on what you see on media and on the information. In the event you step again and take an even bigger take a look at all the things, you may really see a household that was actually traumatized.
I would really like Captive Viewers to carry extra sensitivity to the topic. That is the way in which it’s, however there’s numerous emotion behind it. And I feel Jessica introduced that out, that there have been numerous emotions and numerous trauma, and it’s greater than only a true-crime story. It’s my household’s story.
Now you can stream all three episodes of Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story on Hulu.
Editors’ Selection
