Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation   A. DeWade Langley   Director   Jessica Brown Public Information Director

05/18/09                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           

Missing Pittsburg Co Woman Found Alive

Friday evening, a 21-year-old woman disappeared on her way home from a Denny’s restaurant in McAlester. Mari Elizabeth Danley’s Ford Aerostar Van was found stuck in a ditch on Blanco Road a few miles southeast of McAlester. Her purse, keys and other personal belongs were missing as well.

Saturday, law enforcement from the area and many volunteers began searching the area for clues. OSBI flew the area in the bureau’s plane using the FLIR system which detects heat emanating from people. Nothing was detected in the rural area where the vehicle was found.

Early Monday morning, Danley was rescued by law enforcement after she was able to get to a cell phone and call her family for help. Danley’s sister, Natasha Sexton (dob 8-30-85) and Sexton’s boyfriend, Shawn McAbee (dob 5-5-75), had kidnapped Danley and held her against her will inside the couple’s trailer home in McAlester since Friday night.

Danley was taken to an area hospital and released to her family. Sexton and McAbee were arrested and booked into the Pittsburg County Jail on kidnapping complaints.

OSBI and other officials continue to investigate and to determine a motive for this kidnapping.