What Happened to Aubrey Peal? on ID is examining the strange case of teenager Aubrey Peal, who was lured from his home in Olive Branch, Mississippi, by Jason St. Aubin to Creal Springs, Illinois.
The family of 14-year-old Aubrey reported him missing on August 1, 2018, which sent law enforcement and volunteers into a frenzy of activity as they feared the worst.
Thankfully, six days later, Aubrey identified himself at a fire department in Creal Springs, IL, approximately 250 miles from his home, after he had spotted images of himself on social media. He was subsequently reunited with his parents.
Aubrey’s parents had long been concerned about their son communicating with strangers on the gaming app Discord. It appears they were correct to be concerned, as Aubrey had been purposefully lured away from his home.
Aubrey’s father, John Peal, later told the press that the kidnappers had arranged to meet his teenage son at 3 a.m., about a block from his home.
Jason St Aubin and Juan Andrade were subsequently arrested on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy.
Kidnappers allegedly manipulated Aubrey Peal into agreeing to be kidnapped
John Peal claimed the two kidnappers had been communicating and manipulating Aubrey for months. The teenager allegedly thought that one of the men was suicidal and that he was helping them by agreeing to go with them.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelPeal said his son had given them advice on not killing themselves and that the teenager saw himself as a hero. On seeing the suspect’s mugshots, Peal said, “When I saw their mugshots, I thought I had seen the devil.”
St Aubin and Andrade claimed they had been fooled by Aubrey and hadn’t realized he wasn’t an adult. Andrade’s mother, Bridgett Sixto, said her son and St Aubin believed they were collecting a 20-year-old man.
Sixto told reporters, “Oh God, there was no kidnapping at all. That boy came on his own accord he contacted Jason to come and pick him up.” Sixto said St Aubin asked her son, Andrade, to pick up Aubrey from Mississippi.
Jason St Aubin was convicted of kidnapping a minor
Both men were extradited to DeSoto County in Mississippi.
It’s unclear what happened next to Andrade, but St Aubin was convicted of kidnapping a minor and is serving a 12-year sentence. He is currently incarcerated at the Issaquena County Correctional Facility in Mayersville, MS.
What Happened to Aubrey Peal? airs Monday at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.