Three Nights Buried Alive: The Harrowing Story of Millionaire's Daughter Barbara Mackle

The terrifying ordeal of Barbara Jane Mackle's kidnapping captured widespread media attention. At the time, few believed the 20-year-old could be found alive, but miraculously, she returned home mostly unharmed.

It's well-known that many prominent individuals choose to keep their personal lives private. They often conceal their family status and shield their children from the public eye, hoping to protect them from tragedies like the one that befell the Mackle family.

It All Began with the Flu

December 1968. Barbara Jane Mackle, aged 20, eagerly counted down the days until Christmas. As the daughter of Miami millionaire Robert Mackle, she enjoyed privileges many of her peers could only dream of. Her father amassed his fortune founding one of the largest construction companies in the U.S., and he maintained influential connections, including a personal acquaintance with then-President Richard Nixon.

Barbara understood that virtually every path to a comfortable life was open to her, and though she didn't need to work, she was determined not to squander her father's wealth. Instead of indulging in expensive fashion or trinkets, she focused on her education. Barbara attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, dressing modestly so few could recognize her as a millionaire's daughter.

Shortly before New Year's, the Hong Kong flu epidemic reached her campus. This strain had already claimed nearly a million lives. Barbara soon fell ill, suffering from a sore throat and high fever. Her mother, Jane Mackle, immediately traveled from their Florida estate to retrieve her from the dormitory. Jane booked a room at the Rodeway Inn motel a few miles from campus to care for Barbara, hoping for a swift recovery. Unfortunately, this decision would prove fatal.

A Man in a Police Cap Knocks on the Door

On the night of December 17, someone knocked on their motel room door. Opening it, they found a man wearing a police cap and a woman masked in black. The man claimed a close friend of Barbara's had been seriously injured in an accident and urged Barbara and her mother to come to the hospital immediately. To convince them, he correctly named the make and color of the friend's car. Before they could hesitate, the intruders forced their way inside. The man aimed a rifle at the mother and daughter, then chloroformed Jane, while Barbara was taken outside, placed in a car, and driven away with the kidnappers to an unknown location.

Jane regained consciousness only the next morning and immediately contacted the police. Her tearful pleas initially made it difficult for dispatchers to understand the situation. Soon, Barbara's friend, who was supposedly in the accident, learned of the abduction and promised to assist in the search.

Upon hearing the news, Robert Mackle flew immediately from Miami to Atlanta. Leveraging his extensive connections, he enlisted top investigators led by Edgar Hoover, then FBI Director. Agents interrogated Woodward in the motel room, who suspected the kidnapping was ransom-driven. Although Barbara tried to keep a low profile at university, she was well-known, attracting envy, resentment, and friendship, with everyone aware of her affluent background.

The Investigation

The FBI agent considered ransom the most plausible motive, a theory soon confirmed. That same morning, the Mackle household phone rang. Only a family friend was home to answer. The caller cryptically stated that something was buried on the Mackle property but gave no details. Police quickly searched the area and uncovered a small vial containing a note with ransom demands.

The kidnappers revealed that Barbara was buried alive underground but had access to air and water supplies sufficient for five days—the deadline given to her father. They demanded $500,000 in exchange for her location. Robert Mackle was instructed to place an advertisement in the Miami Herald. On December 18, the paper published: "Beloved, please come home. We will cover all expenses. Your family."

Early on December 19, the kidnappers called the Mackle residence with instructions on where to leave the ransom—just 10 kilometers from their home. Robert was told to wear a distinctive suit and arrive alone. He complied, leaving a suitcase filled with cash and departing without looking back.

It seemed the kidnappers would now reveal Barbara's whereabouts, bringing a hopeful end to the nightmare. However, the ransom information leaked to police. The FBI had not coordinated with local officers, who attempted to apprehend the kidnappers at the drop-off point. The criminals escaped but abandoned their getaway vehicle nearby.

This incident alarmed Barbara's parents, who feared the kidnappers might distrust them due to police involvement. Robert realized his only option was to prove his full cooperation to save his daughter.

The Criminals' Fatal Mistake

The abandoned car became crucial evidence. Inside the glove compartment of the Volvo, agents found Ruth Eisemann-Schier's passport, a photo of Barbara holding a "Kidnapped" sign, intimate Polaroids of Ruth and Gary Krist, checkbooks, and other documents revealing the criminals' identities.

The FBI quickly gathered information on the kidnappers. Gary Krist, 23, had an extensive criminal record including thefts, carjackings, and even a prison escape. He dubbed himself the "Einstein of the criminal world," believing his plan to kidnap a wealthy heir for ransom was a stroke of genius. Krist decided children were too risky victims due to noise and escape attempts, so a young woman was easier to intimidate and bury alive.

In 1968, Krist moved his family from Boston to Florida and started working at the Miami Marine Institute. There, he met 26-year-old student Ruth Eisemann-Schier. They quickly began a passionate affair. Krist confessed to Ruth that he was a fugitive, but she was undeterred and agreed to help with the kidnapping plan.

The couple spent weeks at the Miami public library researching local news for a suitable victim. Barbara Jane Mackle's name stood out as an ideal wealthy target. Ruth and Gary crafted their plan, opting against murder to avoid the death penalty. Instead, they constructed a wooden coffin measuring two meters by ninety centimeters, lined with fiberglass, equipped with an electric fan and light, and supplied with water, sandwiches, and two plastic tubes for breathing. They buried the coffin in a forest near Atlanta and placed Barbara inside on December 17.

Second Rescue Attempt

After the initial ransom attempt failed, Robert consulted with the FBI and publicly stated he was not involved with Miami police actions, asking kidnappers for another chance to bring Barbara home safely. This message spread quickly across media outlets.

Late on December 19, Robert received another call with new instructions to deliver the ransom at a different location on the city outskirts. He complied, and the FBI advised police to stand down.

The following day, an anonymous tip informed the FBI of Barbara's location—buried alive 38 kilometers from the abduction site. Over 100 agents mobilized to search the area, keeping the rescue operation secret from the Mackle family to avoid distress.

Hours later, an agent spotted a plastic tube protruding from the ground. Digging frantically, they uncovered the coffin. At first, there was no response, raising fears they had arrived too late. Moments later, faint tapping was heard.

Opening the coffin, agents found a pale, exhausted Barbara who managed a faint smile despite her ordeal. FBI Director Hoover personally informed Robert Mackle: "We have found your daughter. She is alive."

Meanwhile, the kidnappers planned their escape. Gary intended to flee to Mexico by boat, while Ruth was to travel overland. However, Gary's purchase of the boat with twenty-dollar bills alerted the owner, who reported him to authorities. Both kidnappers were swiftly arrested.

Gary Krist was sentenced to life imprisonment but was paroled after ten years. He initially sought a fresh start, earning a medical degree and pursuing a career as a doctor, but his criminal past hindered employment. Returning to crime, he was arrested again in 2006 for drug and illegal immigrant smuggling. He was released in 2010; his subsequent fate remains unknown.

Ruth Eisemann-Schier received a seven-year sentence but was paroled after four years. She returned to Honduras, remarried, and raised four children.

Barbara's Perspective and Life After Rescue

After the kidnapping, the criminals explained their plan and instructed Barbara on surviving inside the coffin. Overcome with panic, she realized she was to be buried alive. Despite her tears, the kidnappers forced her inside and sealed the lid.

Barbara tried repeatedly to escape, pounding the lid with her hands and feet, but to no avail. Eventually, she found instructions inside the coffin and a note assuring her safety and promising she would be home by Christmas. The kidnappers claimed she could survive at least 11 days underground, while they gave her family only five days to comply.

Tragically, the ventilation system failed after just a few hours, leaving Barbara in complete darkness for 83 hours. In her memoir "83 Hours Till Dawn," she credits calmness and positive thinking for her survival, imagining celebrating the holidays with her family and softly singing Christmas carols.

Upon her return, Barbara's parents ensured she felt safe and comfortable. Guests noted her calm and happy demeanor. Thankfully, the traumatic experience had little lasting impact on her health.

In 1971, Barbara married her friend Stuart Woodward, who had helped search for her. They had two children and shared 42 years together until his passing in 2013.

Photos: Getty Images, East News

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