5 Missing Children That Reappeared out of Thin Air

On the morning of March 2, 1998, 10-year old Natascha Kampusch left her family's home in Vienna to go to school when she failed to arrive at class or return home. She would not be seen again until 8 years later.

Natascha Kampusch had just returned from a vacation in Hungary when she disappeared. It was later found out that the young girl carried her passport everywhere she went, so the police extended the search abroad.

A 12-year old witness notified the authorities he had seen Natascha being dragged into a white minivan by two men, and a massive search ensued. The police examined 775 vans, including that of her actual kidnaper, Wolfgang Přiklopil.

When he was questioned, the captor stated that he was at home by himself the morning of the kidnapping. He explained that he used the minivan for construction work to transport rubble. The police believed him and let him go.

Kampusch was held captive underneath Přiklopil's garage in a small soundproof cellar with no windows for eight years.

During the first six months, she was not allowed to leave the chamber, but she was seen in the garden by unsuspecting neighbors years later. Her captor even took her on a skiing trip on one occasion and would make her do schoolwork.

Kampusch did try to escape several times and continuously made noise, throwing objects around the house to alert neighbors. But it was all in vain.

On August 23, 2006, Kampusch was vacuuming the home when Přiklopil went outside to take a call. Natascha seized the opportunity and ran away.

She ran 220 yards through the quiet neighborhood asking for help, but no one paid her any attention. She then knocked on the window of an elderly neighbor and screamed [QUOTE]: "I am Natascha Kampusch!"

That day, the now 18-year old woman was taken to the police and officially identified by a scar on her body. Subsequent DNA tests confirmed her identity, and she was reunited with her family.

Although Natascha was in good health, she had only gained 7 pounds since her disappearance 8 years earlier.

And before justice could be served, Přiklopil took his own life.

In a documentary about her life, the kind-hearted woman sympathized with her captor, saying [QUOTE]: "I feel more and more sorry for him – he's a poor soul." Still, she also referred to her captor and his actions as criminal.

After her escape, Natascha Kampusch released a book about her terrible ordeal called ‘3,096 Days.’ It was later adapted as a feature film.

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