Barbara Mabee Abel returned home in 1974 to discover that her twin sister was missing. Upon investigating, she encountered John Paul Knowles, a notorious serial killer known as the “Casanova Killer.” Knowles had tied up Abel’s son and sister and threatened their lives. In order to protect her loved ones, Abel pretended to be in love with Knowles and convinced him to take her with him, leaving her family behind. Abel was held captive, raped multiple times, and endured a terrifying ordeal as she attempted to survive her harrowing experience with the killer.
Throughout the ordeal, Abel used her acting skills and cleverness to gain Knowles’ trust and survive his violent tendencies. She managed to escape after Knowles left her briefly unattended, freeing herself and alerting the authorities. After a confrontation with police, Knowles was ultimately killed, ending his reign of terror. Despite the trauma she endured, Abel chose to forgive her attacker and relied on her faith in God to help her family recover from the trauma and move forward.
Following her escape from Knowles, Abel struggled with PTSD but was able to find love and support from her husband. She credits her faith in God for helping her family rebuild after the traumatic events they experienced. Abel hopes that sharing her story will inspire other survivors of violent crimes to find hope and strength in their own journeys to healing and recovery. Her resilience and determination to overcome her past serve as a beacon of hope for those who have faced similar challenges in their lives.
Abel’s story is a testament to the power of forgiveness and faith in overcoming traumatic experiences. Despite the horrors she faced at the hands of a serial killer, she chose to forgive her attacker and move forward with her life. With the support of her family and her unwavering faith, Abel was able to rebuild her life and find happiness and love. Her story serves as an inspiration to others who have faced similar challenges, showing that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult circumstances with perseverance and a positive outlook.
The true-crime series, “People Magazine Investigates: Surviving the Casanova Killer,” explores Abel’s encounter with John Paul Knowles and her ultimate survival. Through interviews with survivors, loved ones, and investigators, the series sheds light on the terrifying ordeal that Abel experienced and her remarkable resilience in the face of danger. Abel’s story serves as a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of forgiveness in overcoming traumatic events. Her journey from victim to survivor is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to find hope and healing in the face of adversity.
