In the 1970s, Robert Berchtold gained notoriety for kidnapping Jan Broberg, the daughter of a family friend, multiple times over several years. The bizarre and disturbing story brought Berchtold infamy, but after serving a short prison sentence, he lived in relative obscurity until his death in 2005. This article will recount Berchtold’s crimes against the Broberg family, provide an update on what happened to him and his ex-wife Gail in the decades since, and examine the lasting impact the events have had on Jan Broberg.
The Story of Robert Berchtold
The Broberg Family Connection
Robert Berchtold was a close friend of the Broberg family in Idaho in the early 1970s. He worked with Jan’s father, Bob Broberg, and ingratiated himself to the entire family. Berchtold used this trust to begin sexually abusing Jan when she was just 12 years old, telling her they were on a special mission together.
The Details of the Abductions
In 1974, Berchtold abducted Jan, then age 13, taking her from her home in Idaho all the way to Mexico. After several weeks, Jan was located and returned to her family. Shockingly, just a few months later in 1976, Berchtold kidnapped Jan again. This time they traveled around the Western U.S. before ending up in California. Again, Jan was rescued after some weeks, but the damage was done.
The Aftermath of the Crimes
Berchtold served only 45 days in prison for the kidnappings. However, the Broberg family was irrevocably scarred. Jan in particular suffered severe trauma and psychological damage. Her parents divorced under the strain shortly after the second kidnapping. Jan’s struggle to process what happened would affect her for the rest of her life.
Updates on Robert Berchtold
Robert Berchtold’s Death in 2005
After being released from prison in the late 1970s, Robert Berchtold lived a quiet life in Arizona and Utah. He and Gail had divorced at some point after the kidnappings. In April 2005, Berchtold died at age 69 from a heart attack in Ogden, Utah. His passing was marked by no public mourning or notice.
Gail Berchtold’s Life After the Divorce
Gail Berchtold, Robert’s wife and mother of their five children, divorced him at an unknown date following the kidnappings. Not much is publicly known about her life after splitting from Robert. Based on available records, she seems to have lived primarily in Utah and Arizona since the late 1970s.
Lack of Public Information on Gail Berchtold’s Current Situation
There is no recent public information about the current life of Gail Berchtold, who would be in her late 70s today. She has maintained a very low profile for the past several decades. It is unclear if she is still living or not. Her five children with Robert Berchtold have also avoided any public attention.
The Reality of the Crimes
Berchtold’s Claims and Legal Consequences
Robert Berchtold long maintained that his relationship with Jan Broberg was consensual. However, Jan emphatically denies that claim. Due to Idaho’s marital exemption laws in the 1970s, Berchtold was charged with a misdemeanor for kidnapping a minor over age 16. His short prison stay of just 45 days was seen by many as a great miscarriage of justice.
Jan Broberg’s Credibility and the Impact on Her Life
Jan Broberg has been remarkably open in telling her story in recent years, even collaborating on the critically acclaimed documentary “Abducted in Plain Sight.” By all accounts, she is highly credible in her account of being repeatedly victimized by Berchtold as a child and teenager. She has shown resilience and grace when recounting this trauma, which shaped her life in countless ways.
Conclusion
The horrific crimes Robert Berchtold committed against Jan Broberg have rightfully remained disturbing reminders of manipulation and abuse. Berchtold faced minimal consequences from the justice system during his life. After his quiet death in 2005, neither his ex-wife nor children have made any public statements or appearances. Jan Broberg, on the other hand, continues to bravely tell her story, shedding light on these troubling events decades later. While Berchtold escaped into obscurity after destroying so many lives, Jan Broberg has emerged as a powerful voice for survivors.
