The almost unbelievable, surreal story of his kidnapping of Jan Broberg is dramatized in thePeacocklimited series A Friend of the Family, streaming now. Berchtolds wife Gail remains by his side in the early episodes of the Peacock drama. Jan also said that she never spoke to Gail again after their breakup, How Robert Berchtold made the Brobergs what they are. What could possibly go wrong? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. B also married his second wife, Deanna Lou Wiley, before he died by suicide in 2005. What can I do to make it better? Berchtold not only misled his victim but also her parents to a large extent. In 1986, Berchtold was found guilty of the rape a child andspent one year in jail, according to Deseret News. Mary Ann Broberg and Gail Berchtold, Robert's wife, bonded over their family and faith. They said that they had been watching me since I was born and I had been chosen to be impregnated with a child who would save their planet. Where is Gail Berchtold Now? "Bob had gone to court that day and been found guilty," explained Berchtold's brother, Joe, in the documentary Abducted in Plain Sight. "He says, 'If it's one day in prison, it's going to kill me. She had already filed for divorce at that point, and she hasnt talked about it online, in interviews, or as a consultant in documentaries or other shows since then. What Is The Relation Between Kelvin And Thalyta, From Too Hot to Handle Brazil Now? While Broberg Felt never saw Berchtold at the event in St. George, she was sufficiently worried for her life and decided to get a restraining order, which he contested. RELATED:A First Look At Peacock's Much Anticipated True Crime Drama 'A Friend of the Family'. They settled in Utah, where Gail still lives today. Six women have since come forward to say they were also raped by Berchtold. But what happened to to the real life Berchtold after the events portrayed in A Friend of The Family? Omri Katz: Know About His Bio, Wiki, Girlfriend And Why Is He Missing From Hocus Pocus 2? When Jan was finally returned to her family, Berchtold managed to beat several kidnapping charges by arguing he had a mental defect, landing him in a mental institution for less than six months, according toDeseret News. All of her kids live in the middle of the country. Jan Broberg, who is now an adult, says of Berchtold that he is a master of manipulation. Also Read:Omri Katz: Know About His Bio, Wiki, Girlfriend And Why Is He Missing From Hocus Pocus 2? As a limited drama series that revisits the two 1970s kidnappings of Jan Broberg at the ages of 12 and 14, Peacocks A Friend of the Family can only be described as horrifically bone-chilling. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Fearing prison and rejected by the object of his obsession, Berchtold died by suicide in November 2005, according to theLas Vegas Review-Journal, just before he was due to be sentenced. Berchtold took it upon himself to inform the local media, and anyone present, that the two women were telling lies.. Once he (Berchtold) had something to hang over their heads, he controlled them. In reality, Berchtold drugged the 12-year-old and set up the scene to make it appear that the two had been taken away against their will. Where is Robert Berchtolds Ex-Wife? Whats more, during their stay south of the border, Berchtold convinced the girl that she was the scion of an ancient alien race, tasked with saving the species by procreating with him. Copyright 2023 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes. Jan published a book on her correlation with Robert at the beginning of 2004, much to his displeasure. Berchtold refused and became threatening. Berchtold appeared in Jans bedroom window on one night in August 1976, telling her to pack her bags and leave a note saying she was running away. As a result, Gail grabbed her luggage, took their children, and said goodbye to him forever. Eventually, the kidnapping charges would be lessened. As of this writing, she is still alive and reportedly living a private life with her adult children. Other others, however, feel she was unaware of anything because she helped him deceive the Brobergs. The girl Jan also assured me that she didnt tell anyone about the physical abuse at the time either. Distractify is a registered trademark. Broberg's father, Bob, revealed that he engaged in a singular sexual encounter with Berchtold, one that Gail reportedly used to blackmail him into signing an affidavit asking the FBI to drop the charges after Jan was returned. But then what happened? Regardless of the fine details, Robert's wife and kids played an integral role in the closeness between the two families, particularly because the kids were close in age and enjoyed playing together. on Robert Berchtold Wiki: The Pedophile Who Convinced His Victim She Was Half-Alien. According to Entertainment Tonight, it was Gail, not Robert, who coerced the Brobergs into signing an affidavit following the first kidnapping. Questions have emerged about Gail's participation in her former husband's unspeakable crimes or whether she was a victim. At some point, Robert Berchtold wanted to return to the U.S. with his child bride. Copyright 2023 Distractify. [on how] to approach a scene [on how] to approach a scene [on how] to approach a scene [on how] to approach a scene [on The way I understood Gail turned out to be far more straightforward. Was he fascinated by science fiction? Shed already filed for divorce by that point and has since stayed well away from the entire matter by never even giving it attention online, in interviews, or through consultancy in documentaries/shows. Gail Berchtold and Robert Berchtold were married in a lovely ceremony on June 7, 1961. Jan Broberg, who is now an adult, says of Berchtold that he was a master manipulator. At the time, no one in her family could see it, but Robert Berchtold had been setting up the family from the first time they met. Berchtold was, once again, charged with kidnapping. But what. The FBI eventually contacted the school, but the staff was more than a little reluctant to provide them with any information on Jan. While news of Berchtold's assault on Broberg continues to gain renewed interest, Gail has not appeared or participated in any public discussions about the case or what she experienced during her marriage with her ex-husband, who died by suicide in 2005. These places were Brigham City, Utah, Pocatello, Idaho, and Ogden, Utah. Proving theres someone for everyone, Robert, who had long ago divorced Gail, moved to Brigham City, Utah and remarried. Berchtold was eventually forced to return Jan but avoided charges after convincing the Berchtolds sign an affidavit stating they had given him permission to travel with their daughter. As depicted in A Friend of the Family, Bs abuse toward Jan caused issues in his and Gails marriage. Robert would sneak into Jans bedroom at night and leave the brainwashing tape on. But again, sexual abuse charges were never brought against him. It would also give Robert private, intimate access to Janwhich he would get with her parents approval. NBC Insider is your all-access pass to some of your favorite NBC shows. Kriti Mehrotra October 6, 2022 As a limited drama series that revisits the two 1970s kidnappings of Jan Broberg at the ages of 12 and 14, Peacock's 'A Friend of the Family' can only be described as horrifically bone-chilling. His obituary makes no mention of his horrific crimes. For the sake of privacy, some of the details regarding Robert and Gail Berchtold's children were altered for the show, including their names and the number of children there were in the Berchtold family, with the series showing only three rather than five children. Coming to Gails current standing, from what we can tell through a combination of online records and social media profiles, the family woman is a Grouse Creek, Utah native residing in Roy, Utah, at the moment. After that, Berchtold kept his hold on their lives by getting both of the Brobergs involved in a sexual relationship. Two years later, he took their daughter again. In the series, Berchtold deceives the Broberg family time and time again. So, today, even in her 70s, it seems that Gail Berchtold is living a happy and peaceful life as a retiree in the company of her children. Robert Ersol Berchtold, 69, of Logandale, died Nov. 11, 2005. As if on cue, the intercom relayed more details about Jans mission. He had taken all his heart medicine and drank Kahlua and milk. In the Peacock miniseries A Friend of the Family, he played Robert Berchtold. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bombshell: FDA Has Never Approved A Drug Or Vaccine! How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to talk to a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. Mary Ann Broberg and Gail Berchtold, Roberts wife, bonded over their family and faith. If you're wondering what happened to her, you're not alone (per Showbiz Cheat Sheet). Gail also told the missing childrens parents not to call the police for the first few days after their disappearance in October, but no one was ever able to find out why. Over the course of the next month, Berchtold repeatedly raped Jan Broberg. I dont believe she ever had any intention of causing harm to anyone else., Also Read:Know About Yvette Fieldings Net Worth, Bio, Wiki And More. It was, like his experience with the LDS Church, a slap on the wrist. A Peacock Family Friend came out on Netflix in early October, but only the first four episodes of the true crime drama were available. Kraft Heinz, Unilever Caught Advertising On Pornography Website That Promotes Sexual Violence And Other Perversions. While in court, Berchtold told the presiding judge that Though Gail is now in her 70s, it seems like shes still living a quiet, happy life with her kids nearby. And nothing would stand in their way. "They're trying to make a buck," Berchtold countered to the news network. There has been much debate about whether wife Gail was an accomplice or a victim herself. According to ABC News, he attended a women's conference that Jan Broberg and her mother, Mary Ann, hosted in 2004. He asked Jans parents for permission to return to the United States and legally marry there. It came back to haunt him. In adulthood, Jan and her mother, Mary Ann Broberg, would go on to write a book titled "Stolen Innocence" about the family's harrowing experiences. The two daughters, though, ran away to their biological fathers house in Idaho. Its also imperative to note Gail did urge the youngsters parents not to call the authorities during the initial few days of their first disappearance in October, but her reasoning could never be identified. Robert ran away in August 1976 with the 14-year-old. He often gave her gifts and took her with him on trips. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, Missing 19-year-old man found dead in wooded area of Milford, 'Kiss' is coming to Seattle for their last tour ever, Solar Panels Over California's Canals Could Save Water While Making Clean Energy. However, they soon decided to start a new chapter in their lives by moving, so they lived in a few different places. Peacock's "A Friend of the Family" is a nail-biting saga centered on the real-life story of Jan Broberg, a young girl who was kidnapped, not once, but twice, by a charismatic churchgoer disguised as a family friend, hence the title. Robert Berchtold died by suicide in 2005 According to his obituary: "Robert Ersol Berchtold, 69, of Logandale, died Nov. 11, 2005. Kon Hai Alakh Pandey aka Physics Wallah Wife Shivani Dubey? Robert Berchtold is an abuser who groomed the Broberg family in order to become close to their 12-year-old daughter Jan. He was 70, and they had been married for more than 27 years. It was eventually published in October 2003. Abducted in Plain Sight,directedbySkyeBorgman, is currently on Netflix. ZeesBest, What Happens at the End of High Water? The actress who plays Gail on A Friend of the Family, Lio Tipton, has also made it clearly obvious that there is a strong possibility that not everything we see on our televisions relating to Gail is accurate one hundred percent of the time. In January 1974, he was given a slap on the wrist, a reprimand by the LDS Church for his behavior with a young girl. Eventually, Gail's suspicions were correct, as B kidnapped Jan for the first time when she was 12 and then again when she was 14. She was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by her neighbor and family friend Robert "B." Broberg also shared that producers from the Netflix documentary reached out to Berchtold to discuss if she believed that she was manipulated by her ex or if she was complicit, but she never responded. Gail turned out to be easier to understand than I had thought. So, some people say she knew what her husband was doing because she allegedly helped him get the Brobergs to lower their charges, while others say she didnt know anything. This article originally appeared on Oxygen.com and was written byCydney Contreras&Eric Shorey. Read Next: Who Is Randall Carlson? Copyright 2023 H-Town News. They were going to contact the FBI, but Gail Berchtold somehow convinced the Brobergs not to call; instead, they waited three days before calling the FBI. Netflix first recounted the harrowing story in the. In real life, the Berchtolds had five children whose names all began with the letter J. However, in A Friend of the Family on Peacock, their names were changed. 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