TRAGEDY transpired as a young girl was abducted from her home and was declared missing.
Two months into the search for 12-year-old Polly Klaas, her remains were discovered as Richard Allen Davis faced trial for her homicide.
Who was Polly Klaas?
Born on January 3, 1981, Polly Klaas was a 12-year-old homicide victim from Fairfax, California.
She is survived by her father Marc, her mother Eve Nichol, and her brother David.
In honor of her legacy, Polly’s father Marc Klaas has become an advocate for missing children.
In 1994, Marc established the KlaasKids Foundation; a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing crimes against children.
“I think her legacy is strong, I do but still, I’d trade it for a hug,” the grieving father told ABC’s 20/20.
At a service in Polly’s memory, Senator Dianne Feinstein said: “To the nation, Polly is the symbol of every family’s nightmare.
“It tells us something about the awful brutality of the world.”
The late victim’s family also shared with the crowd: “Our dream is to save a child and show the world that the power of love can triumph.”
“She was a vibrant, energetic, outgoing little girl with a great love of theater, a great love of family,” Marc recalled of his late daughter to Fox Nation.
“I wanted to give meaning to Polly’s death and I wanted to create a legacy in her name. I am not going to let my daughter’s death be in vain.”
What happened to her?
On October 1, 1993, Polly was abducted from her mother’s Petaluma home by Richard Allen Davis.
Almost two months later on November 30, Davis was arrested in relation to Polly’s homicide.
It was not until December 4 of that year when police discovered her body.
Polly’s tragedy was revisited in a 20/20 episode titled Taken in the Night.
On September 22, 2023, Taken in the Night aired on NBC.
Show anchor Juju Chang leads the broadcast as she collects first-hand testimonies from those who were involved with Polly’s investigation.
Audiences can watch the special by streaming it on Hulu.
Where is Richard Allen Davis now?
On June 18, 1996, Davis was found guilty of first-degree murder with four special circumstances that are listed as robbery, burglary, kidnapping, and attempted lewd act on a child.
On August 5 of the same year, the culprit was sentenced to death.
Davis is awaiting death row at San Quentin State Prison.
However, in 2024, Davis and his lawyers began attempts to overturn his 1996 sentencing.
His lawyers argue that his case should be reviewed due to a recent criminal justice reform law that invalidates certain sentencing enhancements, per The Mercury News.
In a statement, Marc Klass argued against overturning Davis’ sentence.
He said, “This case is the tip of the iceberg. It’s going to happen again, again, and again, and again.
“And I’ll tell you what’s going to happen. In some of these instances, somebody’s going to get out and mayhem will ensue.”