Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey (2018) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

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1. 1

   Lisa is abducted in Tampa

   Seventeen-year-old Lisa McVey is kidnapped after leaving a doughnut shop in Tampa. Bobby Joe Long rapes her in his car before driving her to his studio apartment. The abduction marks the start of a brutal captivity that lasts into the following day.

   Where

   Tampa, Florida

2. 2

   Captivity begins in Bobby's apartment

   Lisa is bound and blindfolded in Bobby's studio apartment and subjected to repeated rapes. She uses reverse psychology to gain Bobby's trust and keeps her wits about her. She secretly leaves fingerprints and strands of hair as clues she hopes will help later, while memorizing the layout of the apartment.

   Where

   Bobby Joe Long's studio apartment

3. 3

   Bobby plans to dispose of Lisa

   After revealing he's been hurt by past victims, Bobby decides he must get rid of Lisa. He drives her to a secluded wooded area, holding a gun and threatening her life. Lisa pleads for her life, and ultimately Bobby releases her and flees, leaving her to find her way home.

   Where

   Secluded wooded area

4. 4

   Lisa escapes and returns home

   Lisa makes contact with the outside world by escaping back to her grandmother's house and telling them what happened. Her grandmother Diane and Morris refuse to believe her story, treating it like a runaway incident. Diane eventually reports Lisa missing to the police, prompting an investigation.

   Where

   Lisa's grandmother's house

5. 5

   Police begin investigating a serial-killer case

   At the police station, detectives work on an extensive case involving nine murdered women. Sergeant Larry Pinkerton, an expert in sex crimes, takes special interest in Lisa's account and lends credibility to her claims. The team is initially skeptical about the details because they seem unusually precise.

   Where

   Police station, Tampa

6. 6

   Forensic evidence links Lisa to the crimes

   Pinkerton sends Lisa's clothing for forensic testing and the fibers match those found on all the bodies. This pivotal link convinces the detectives that Lisa's abductor is the serial killer they are seeking. Lisa's detailed testimony continues to support the investigation.

   Where

   Police lab

7. 7

   Pinkerton and Lisa grow closer

   Over time, Pinkerton and Lisa develop trust, and she opens up about her home life. She also confides in him about the abuse from Morris. Meanwhile, Morris is arrested for child abuse, further isolating Lisa from her supposed protector.

   Where

   Police station and related protective settings

8. 8

   Protective housing for Lisa

   Pinkerton arranges for Lisa to be placed in protective housing for young adults, separating her from her grandmother's household. This offers her a safer environment to recount her ordeal. The detectives guide her through the memory of the abduction, retracing the parking lot where it began and the drive to Bobby's apartment.

   Where

   Protective housing for young adults (Tampa)

9. 9

   Reconstructing the abduction

   Lisa retraces the route from the parking lot to Bobby's apartment, identifying key turns and landmarks. She finds the tree where she was left, prompting the police to set up a two-mile radius search. The memory of these details solidifies the case in the minds of the investigators.

   Where

   Parking lot and surrounding area (tree location)

10. 10

    Suspect car spotted and identified

    A deputy searches the area and spots a car similar to the one Lisa described. He photographs it and, with Lisa's confirmation, gives investigators a positive identification of Bobby Joe Long. This moment ties Lisa's account to a real suspect.

    Where

    Mobile area near the abduction site

11. 11

    Bobby Joe Long arrest

    On November 16, 1984, Bobby is arrested outside a movie theater. The arrest validates Lisa's account and marks a turning point in the case. The community learns of the connection between the suspect and the crime spree.

    When

    November 16, 1984

    Where

    Outside a movie theater

12. 12

    Lisa moves forward with her life

    Lisa is publicly honored for her bravery and contribution to the case. Pinkerton offers her a place at his house, but she declines and chooses to live with Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim. She pledges that Pinkerton has not seen the last of her, signaling a continued commitment to helping others.

    Where

    Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim's home; police setting

13. 13

    Lisa's life after the case

    In the postscript, Lisa is shown living happily with her relatives, and Pinkerton remains her friend. She later becomes a deputy sergeant in Sex Crimes, dedicating her career to protecting young people from similar fates.

    Where

    Florida, United States

14. 14

    Bobby Joe Long's execution

    The postscript notes that Bobby Joe Long remains on death row, and that he was eventually executed in prison by lethal injection in 2019. This marks the end of his case in real life.

    When

    2019

    Where

    Prison