Barbara Mabee Abel, a single mother living in her deceased mother’s home in West Beach, Florida, made a horrifying discovery when she returned home from work one day in November 1974. She found her twin sister, Beverly, bound, gagged, and bloody, and was confronted by a man with a sawed-off shotgun. This man was John Paul Knowles, a notorious serial killer known as the “Casanova Killer.” Despite the terrifying situation, Abel used reverse psychology to try and prevent anyone from getting hurt. She convinced Knowles that she was in love with him in order to save herself, her son, and her sister. Knowles had already committed numerous murders and was linked to at least 18 killings.
Abel ended up being taken captive by Knowles, who tied her up and repeatedly raped her at a local motel. Despite the horrific ordeal, she remained determined to survive and tried to make the best of a frightening situation. Knowles took Abel to a diner where she hoped someone would recognize her, but she was too afraid to make any sudden movements due to his constant threat of violence. Eventually, she managed to free herself by breaking a glass tabletop in the motel room. The police eventually caught up to Knowles after he had killed two more people during a routine traffic stop, leading to a shootout that left him dead.
Following her harrowing experience, Abel suffered from PTSD but found strength and solace in her faith in God. She chose to forgive Knowles for what he had done to her and her family and focused on rebuilding her life with the help of her loved ones. Abel eventually found love again with her husband Jim Abel, and they have been happily married for 43 years. She hopes that sharing her story will inspire other survivors of crimes to find hope and healing, even in the darkest of circumstances.
Despite the trauma of the events, Abel’s resilience and faith helped her family navigate through their demons and rebuild their lives. She chose not to be another statistic and embraced her role as a survivor. Beverly and Dale, her son, eventually found their own ways to cope with the aftermath of the crime, relying on their faith and support from their community to move forward. Abel believes that her story can serve as a source of inspiration and strength for others facing similar challenges, showing that it is possible to emerge from the darkness and find light and hope.
Abel’s encounter with the Casanova Killer is a chilling reminder of the terrifying realities faced by survivors of violent crimes. By sharing her story, she hopes to offer a message of resilience and healing to others who may have experienced similar traumas. Her faith, forgiveness, and determination to rebuild her life serve as powerful examples of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome even the most harrowing of circumstances. Abel’s journey from victim to survivor to thriver is a testament to the power of hope and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
