Picture of kidnapping victim appeared on Xbox community site
When 15-year-old Shawn Hornbeck was found safe and sound at the home of alleged kidnapper Michael Devlin this weekend, it was the first time his family had seen him since he dissappeared over four years ago. Now it appears that Hornbeck's picture has shown up on a popular Xbox community site during his four-year kidnapping.
The GamerTagPics profile for Xbox Live user "DevilDevlin" shows the kidnapped Hornbeck outside what appear to be Devlin's apartment. The profile was created Sept. 4, 2005 but hasn't been accessed since early 2006. DevilDevlin's Gamertag reveals that someone played Saints Row on the account as recently as Friday. It seems likely that Hornbeck used the account -- a Washington Post story reveals Devlin's neighbors "often spotted Shawn out and about, visiting friends on his bicycle or playing video games with the apartment door open."
While we're glad that Hornbeck has been returned to his family, we can't help but wonder about the stories behind the other faceless, nameless strangers we see on Xbox Live every day. We can almost hear the local news headlines now: "Could your next video game opponent secretly be a kidnapping victim? Film at 11."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PacoDG @ Jan 15th 2007 3:23PM
It weirds me out on the articles about this kid. Not much, if anything, is ever mentioned on how he was treated, why he didn't attempt escape (as it seems he was left alone enough). And he was playing video games? Im guessing he wasn't going to school either. As long as he wasn't getting molested, he must have been living it up.
Ethan Rom @ Jan 15th 2007 3:26PM
I wonder how many people send him a message now that his gamertag has been published.
Something along the lines of "Hi kidnapper, want to play Gears of War. You sick son of a bitch"
Louis S. @ Jan 15th 2007 3:34PM
Ethan Rom, he was the Kidnappie, not the Kidnapper.
Ethan Rom @ Jan 15th 2007 3:37PM
no he wasn't
Michael Devlin was the accused kidnapper and the kidnapped kids picture was on the kidnapper's profile
kidnapped kid = Shawn Hornbeck
accused kidnapper = Michael Devlin (DevilDevlin)
but the kid could've named the gamertag after his kidnapper
Scott @ Jan 15th 2007 3:43PM
We can almost hear the local news headlines now: "Could your next video game opponent secretly be a kidnapping victim? Film at 11."
Please don't give them any ideas...
gamelab2021 @ Jan 15th 2007 3:49PM
Joystiq says we could be having some great fun with Play65's Backgammon RIGHT NOW! Whos with me?
David004 @ Jan 15th 2007 3:52PM
Are you sure this is the kid that was missing for 4 years and not 4 days? Either way I don't give a damn.
dvnt @ Jan 15th 2007 4:10PM
Play65 offers quite a nice backgammon platform for all backgammon lovers around the world, no matter their level of expertise. Thanks for the "review" Joystiq! Prepare to get pwned gamelab2021!
KR @ Jan 15th 2007 4:10PM
"why he didn't attempt escape (as it seems he was left alone enough)."
This is not for sure, but it could be Stockholm Syndrome. Look it up.
JLC @ Jan 15th 2007 4:19PM
i read that the kidnapper and kidnappee told people around the neighbourhood that they were father and son
also the child apparently went by "shawn devlin" publicly which might explain that it was his xbox live account and he chose his "new" name
Adam @ Jan 15th 2007 4:32PM
You need to stop turning every slightly relating gaming news into "zomg what if tehy sez th1s?!!!!!!11111111"
Seriously, it's offensive and insulting. Just be silent on the matter and think what about's happened to some people. Saying "We feel sorry but..." is no conselation.
Louis S. @ Jan 15th 2007 4:49PM
"Seriously, it's offensive and insulting."
You're mom's offensive and insulting.
Stunna @ Jan 15th 2007 5:03PM
Firt off, there is nothing compared to loosing a child and not knowing what happned. For four years! that is definitely tourture. I was really happy for the family when the kids were found but questions arose.
Firt off peopel, i want you to think back to when you were 11 years old. Could a muthafuka kidnap you , put you in a ouse and sometimes let you go outside to play and you were in the state you live and you still did not escape? Look at elizabeth "smart" , she wasn't so smart after all. The thing is people need to teach their kids street smart. Especially the white ones (Trouble Sentence) How many black kids have you seen missing on cnn? really it's true. before you all go postal on me... I'm white. I mean what kind of 4kin syndrome would make you forget 11 years of your mom's cooking and your home, friends and family that wouldn't kick the superpowers in you to return to that?
In conclusion if I was that kid, as soon as I got home, my mom would make me a meal to die for and afterwards give me the butt whipping of the century. So if he wasn't found he would have continued living with this dude and playing 360 and maybe in a couple of years down the road they could go hunting other kids together. Wow.
Zegim @ Jan 15th 2007 5:27PM
That is XXI century for you. This kind of stuff sure beats flying cars and 3D TVs any day of the week.
RuneMaster70 @ Jan 15th 2007 5:42PM
I can't wait til xbox live statistics such as lasted played game and vision camera photos will be used as evidence in court. New feature: "Xbox 360: Cirme Deterrent."
OtakuCODE @ Jan 15th 2007 5:43PM
Now that he's back home, he'll be going back to school, probably won't have unsupervised Internet access, likely won't be allowed to play the M-rated games he'd been enjoying... hope he fares better than that other guy (forget his name) that was kidnapped and grew up away from his family for years, then was returned and ended up destroying himself.
News stations won't pick up on this involvement with xbox live, though. Their stance is that your kids will meet kidnappers online and get themselves abducted magically through the TV screen. Not that kidnappers will snatch you while you're outside riding your bike and then let you play all the games you want.
obo @ Jan 15th 2007 6:22PM
"Lloyd Bailie, Ben’s uncle, told the “Early Show” the first thing Ben asked for when he was returned to his family was a snack. Then he asked to play video games."
I am willing to bet serious money that this kid plays WoW.
Mel Gibson @ Jan 15th 2007 8:35PM
@ Stunna
i liked your "arguement" better when it was a joke by Dave Chappelle...
Ulf @ Jan 15th 2007 8:41PM
Also, could there not be a psychological reason behind him posing OUTSIDE his kidnappers house? Maybe he got a neighbour to snap the picture while still not daring to run away (because of the Stockholm syndrome or threats to his family).
So maybe while he was on Xbox Live he felt free and wanted to feel just like everybody else. And he could of used that picture as a symbol for that.
Colin @ Jan 15th 2007 8:42PM
@Stunna
i think your keyboard is missing some keys. i especially liked the part about elizabeth smart. what a cunning linguist you are. smart... get it ... smart.
o.0 @ Jan 15th 2007 9:39PM
you got to admit that joke about 15 year olds(by Dave Chappelle) is funny and its the truth
BigBlackAfrican @ Jan 18th 2007 12:14AM
Yo Stunna u r correct about one thing my ass wouldve been beat like a mutha. The thing about black kids vs white kids when it comes to street smarts.........well my friend it aint where u from its where u r at. Growning up in an Urban area u will have a better survival instinct vs growin up in the burbs. Glad dude is back with his family.