Stay up to date on the news from Silicon Valley, and how to take back control of your data and devices. Kyle Stephens tried for years to get anyone to believe her that family friend Larry Nassar had sexually abused her. Unlike the other victims, Stephens is not an athlete, but has known Nassar for most of her life. Kyle Stephens and her parents were family friends to Larry Nassar, a respected doctor for the USA Gymnastics team. It is with heavy hearts that the family of Johnny Mark Stephens announce his passing. We must develop victim-centric solutions and implement them where we can. She's like a talisman, the unofficial symbol of the Larry Nassar case. Stephens, who was the first of dozens of women to read an impact statement against Nassar at his sentencing hearing, said knowing Nassar was going to prison freed her of fear and guilt. I introduced myself and I'm trying to get some information from her and she just starts crying and she goes, 'She just told us last night that she was also abused.' Stephens, whose father did . The crowded courtroom remains quiet as she walks back to her seat. The police were able to obtain a search warrant for Nassars house, where they then found hard drives containing 37,000 images and videos of child pornography, leading to Nassars arrest. Emma Winowiecki/Jodi Westrick/Michigan Radio hide caption. He was 34 years old. To plant trees in . All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. Kyle Stephens stood in a Michigan courtroom on Tuesday and practically spat those words at Larry Nassar, . Kyle Stephens claims Larry Nassar abused her for years as a child. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Stephens was the one victim whose abuse occurred outside of Nassar's medical practice. Women and girls who have banded together to fight for themselves because no one else would do it. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. "This process has been horrific but surprisingly therapeutic. Sexual abuse is hardly limited to Nassar, Michigan State University or USA Gymnastics. When Kyle Stephens told her parents she was being abused by family friend Larry Nassar, they did not believe her. "From the moment I met Rachael, I knew this day would come," she tells the court. This article was published more than5 years ago. View our online Press Pack. She said her parents thought she was lying. I cannot say that enough. "They were all medical professionals and shared a passion for the subject . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. "I just signed your death warrant," she tells him. The steps I took to the lectern in a Michigan courtroom last month were the last moments I would spend in silence, while too many victims continue to live with their unmentionable truth. . He labeled me within my family as someone that was just a vile person, Stephens said of Nassar during a Thursday appearance on Megyn Kelly Today alongside fellow victims Rachael Denhollander and Mattie Larson. Inaction is no longer excusable. Once her father realized she was telling the truth, he took his own life, Stephens said. It's one thing to know that Larry's victims are young. My deepest sympathies to the family of John Stephens. ABC News' Elizabeth Vargas and 19 of the women who made victim impact statements at the Nasser trial. While my family watched football and cooked dinner, I was sacrificed to a public-health pandemic that remains shrouded in silence. Stephens decided two weeks . Clyde Ray Stephens died peacefully on May 17, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. Jennifer Rood Bedford, a former MSU volleyball player, says she told Hadden in 2003 that she was uncomfortable about Nassar's treatments, although Bedford said she was not specific about her complaint. It's jarring to see how young some of the faces in the courtroom are. They grow into strong women who return to destroy your world. As time passed, the Nassars began pressuring Stephens into babysitting their children, she said. In January 2018, Kyle Stephens became the first woman to take the stand against Nassar and tell her harrowing story. Sign up. Kyle Stephens, who was abused by Nassar from the ages of 6 to 12, was one of the former gymnasts to read out her statement in a Michigan court, in which she detailed Nassar's crimes. They knew this whole case started with her report. Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Anselm Catholic Church 306 St Mary St, Madisonville, LA 70447 with visitation from 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow in the Mandeville . Kyle Stephens held back tears as she told how Nassar abused her at her family home. Andrew Krivak, who spent 24 years in prison for the rape and murder of 12-year-old Josette Wright, was acquitted in the case Monday after jurors determined that a six-page statement he . But by that time, she said to 20/20, her father had made it right. They say things such as I have never told anyone, I dont think anyone will care and I didnt say no. I despair that our communities attach so much shame to sexual abuse and offer so little support to victims that survivors feel their best option is to reach out to me through social media. "My monster is gone," Stephens told "20/20.". Bekah Snyder works for the prosecutor's office. Stephens asked the judge to ensure that Nassar did not walk free to hurt anyone again. STEPHENS - Brandon Kyle Stephens, Sr., 25, of Yulee passed away Saturday, June 24, 2017. Nearly 160 women have come forward with abuse allegations against him. Stephens was also a babysitter to Nassars children, and in court, she accused him of rubbing his genitalia on her and digitally penetrating her among other things. But instead of believing her, Kyles parents demanded their daughter apologise to her abuser. Instead, they told their young daughter to apologise to her abuser. Larry Nassar wasnt my doctor. For years, Kyle Stephens has been identified only as "Victim Z.A." or "family friend." But, last week, she stepped out from the cloak of anonymity and gave the first of more than 100 . Lianna Hadden, a MSU athletic trainer. And he said to me, If you ever want to see it, all you have to do is ask.". At a 2017 court hearing involving the Nassar case, he told the court thatsince his retirement, he suffered a stroke and has experienced memory loss. This site is sponsored as public resource by the independent funeral homes repesented here. Michael Stephens Obituary. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. Throughout my career, I have worked very hard to put Team MSU first. After Rachael offers Larry forgiveness, she addresses us. As a young girl, Kyle was abused by Larry Nassar, a family friend, for six years as her family would visit him every Sunday for dinner. When he left this world, he was my rock.. For years, Kyle Stephens has been identified only as Victim Z.A. or family friend. But, last week, she stepped out from the cloak of anonymity and gave the first of more than 100 victim impact statements about the abuse she endured at the hands of former gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. So the fact that his child would make such a heinous accusation with no pretense, really made me a target for [Nassar]., Stephens was just 6 years old when Nassar first exposed his penis to her in the dark boiler room of his Holt, Michigan, home, explaining in court: He told me, If you ever want to see it, all you have to do is ask. . A young woman in a black dress, hair twisted back off her face, is the first to approach the podium. My mom says now that she did think, Huh, that's a little weird. But at that time, he just came off as like a guy that just really liked children, and he would always say he was going down to play with us, entertain us and have fun with us, she said. Stollack did not contest a finding that he violated the Public Health Code due to conduct that constituted negligence or a failure to exercise due care, according to a press release from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. When I was six, he exposed himself to me in his basement boiler room. Nassar, 54, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison on Wednesday for sexually assaulting former gymnasts and other young women. In 2004, he treated Kyle Stephens, then a 12-year-old who told her parents and Stollak that she had been sexually abused for years by Nassar, a friend of the Stephens family. where he had lived most of his life, but he called Vermont his home. Copyright Currentobituary.com, Your source for online obituaries and funeral notices, https://www.currentobituary.com/advancedsearch. Her entire job was to help coordinate all the victims. For years, Kyle Stephens has been . greenhill funeral home obituaries. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Stephens' father, Randy Stephens, is a longtime Church of Christ preacher in Henry County. the way we ignore or sugarcoat our most vile issues to be offensive and a big part of our problem. Masturbated in front of her. Kim Ann Volz of Metairie, Louisiana passed away on February 14, 2023 at the age of 56. "Therefore, I am tendering my resignation as president according to the terms of my employment agreement. ET. He was born on March 9, 1999, in Raleigh, North Carolina, the son of Chance Stephenson and Bonnie Taylor. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Stephens said in court that, as a young child, her interests were Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Junie B. Jones book series. Their message was this: This is a Larry Nassar problem, not an MSU problem. He was born on October 20, 1934 in Silverton, Texas, to Claud Mack and Otha Lee Etta Cavitt Stephens. 4A NPSL. His family is thankful for the time they shared with him and the two children he gifted them with. Kyle Stephens, pausing to compose herself during Nassar's sentencing hearing in a courtroom in Lansing, Michigan, said the doctor, a family friend, began molesting her when she was 6 years old . "Please state your name for the record," Judge Aquilina says. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and . Kellie Pickler's partner, Kyle Jacobs, died of a self-inflicted . This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture where a predator can flourish, unafraid and unabated. Her parents initially believed him and Stephens blames her father's suicide on the shame and self-loathing he felt for defending Nassar. She was a retired Registered Nurse. On Monday, four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles said on her Twitter account that she, too, was abused by Nassar. . Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Mark was born May 27, 1958 in Louisa, Kentucky and left this earth Sunday January 31, 2021 to rejoice in a reunion with . Stephens said Nassar convinced her parents she was lying about him hiding "lotion in the basement so you could beat your penis while I hid. Norma leaves her daughter, Kyle Stephens and her wife, Janice Kwasniak, of Wakefield, RI; her daughter-in-law, Judy Stephens of Enfield . She added: "I couldn't be just a normal girl anymore, and I forever lost a big piece of my childhood due to his abuse.". It was only when Nassar was arrested that Kyle Stephens father discovered the abuse had in fact taken place. Quickly find an Australian funeral, death or obituary notice by entering a name in the search box below and then clicking search. Stephens was the first of nearly 100 women who are expected to provide victim-impact statements during the four-day hearing. K-Y-L-E S-T-E-P-H-E-N-S." Kyle takes a breath. Kyle attended schools in North Carolina. "Kyle Stephens. JULIA STEPHENS Julia Ann Harris Stephens, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and selfless servant to her church and her family, passed on into eternity on August 25, 2022. Julia was born on September 10, 1957 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada to Gordon and Carol Harris. More cameras. Kyle Stephens You were first arrested on my charges, and now, as the only non-medical victim to come forward, I testify to let the world know that you are a repulsive liar and that those . And I was like, 'OK, great.' "You convinced my parents that you didn't pull my feet into your lap, unzip your pants, and rub your erect penis against my bare skin. Hi everyone, I'm starting this fundraiser for Rich Lupia and his family. At a November hearing when he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault, Nassar apologized for his crimes, the Lansing State Journal reported. Kyle Stephens stood in Courtroom 5 of the Veterans Memorial Courthouse, steps away from the man who molested her throughout her childhood, and she looked right at him. These are the brave women who confronted disgraced Olympic doctor Larry Nassar. And the reason everyone who heard about Larry's abuse did not believe it is because they did not listen. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of Michael Stephens (Greenville, South Carolina), who passed away on November 29, 2020. And she appeals to Larry's own faith in God. It's another to actually see 15-year-olds sitting with their moms. The family moved to Brea, California in 1965; Julia's . The Nassar scandal has done more than expose Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics for their inaction and malpractice it has exposed each and every one of us for our contribution to this problem. But I knew, when it came time to use my first tampon that my hymen wasn't intact.". He was so riddled with guilt and shame for not believing his little girl that, in 2016, he committed suicide. I have received messages from survivors all over the world detailing their abuse and isolation. It was only when Nassar was arrested that Kyle Stephens father discovered the abuse had in fact taken place. When she was at their home, the family acted as if she never accused Nassar at all. Stephens said that she told her parents, but they did not believe her. Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Dec. 26, 2013. Who Where Receive obituaries Joyce Campbell Justason December 29, 2022 (90 years old) View obituary Muriel Elizabeth Lomax December 22, 2022 (86 years old) Was born in Kansas City, Kansas to the late Etta and Raymond Hunt on June 22,.! Nassar is already serving a 60-year-sentence after pleading guilty in July in federal court to child pornography charges. It was only in 2016 when Kyle read the story of another woman who had been abused by Nassar, that she called the police. Green Forest, AR, 1985 - 2022. I cannot say that enough., She added: He messed up big, but he made up for it big time. Clyde was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Delores Woodruff Stephens who died in 2013, and by his infant son Randall Clyde . Jim grew up . Our silence and inaction create a culture where predators can thrive. Kyle Z. Stephenson BARRE On Nov. 10, 2021, an Angel from Heaven came down unexpectedly and took our beloved Kyle. Kyle Stephens greets all those attending . The place is packed. Kyle's statement does something else, too. Survivors who had not yet come forward hear Kyle's words, and begin showing up. Larry is brought in, his hands uncuffed. David Von Drehle: The rot in USA Gymnastics goes beyond Larry Nassar. Our unwillingness to shatter the stigma surrounding sexual exploitation keeps us from realizing the immensity of the problem and the imminent danger to those we love. Father of Three Larry Nassar Victims Lunges at 'Demon' Doctor in Court, Disgraced Former Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Sentenced to 175 Years for Sexually Abusing Girls, Father Who Lunged at Larry Nassar in Courtroom: 'I'm No Hero, My Daughters Are the Heroes', pleaded guilty in November to several counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. And, worried the attention that could come with that, asked for complete anonymity," Kyle . Once Kyles father discovered what had happened, he tragically took his own life. On another occasion, he molested her underneath a blanket while watching TV on the couch. The lawyers run through some last-minute logistics. "As tragedies are politicized, blame is inevitable," Simon said in her resignation letter. On Tuesday, while testifying, Stephens said, You convinced my parents that I was a liar.. For other inquiries, Contact Us. When Nassar had charges brought against him, Kyle's father did what he could to make amends for not believing her. I was the first of 256 known victims to tell the world what Nassar had done to me and how it had affected my life. And you. Let the family know you are thinking of them. Nassar has pleaded guilty to molesting females with his hands at his Michigan State University office, his home and a Lansing-area gymnastics club, often while their parents were in the room. For one week in January 2018, hundreds of women and girls told their stories about Larry Nassar's abuse. May 27, 1958 January 31, 2021. I've been coming for you for a long time," she says. Published by News Herald & News-Messenger on Jul. Despite telling her parents of the abuse she suffered for six years, Kyles parents did not believe her. 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