The Miracle Of Margy Palm: How A Texas Mom Converted Serial Killer Stephen Morin And Survived

The story of Margy Palm is one of the most astonishing and deeply unsettling true crime survival accounts in modern American history. The tale of a devout Texas mother who was kidnapped by one of the country's most prolific serial killers, Stephen Morin, only to survive the ordeal by sharing her Christian faith with her captor, has recently resurfaced with renewed intensity. As of December 18, 2025, the chilling eight-hour event that took place in 1981 is gaining fresh attention, driven by a high-profile *Vanity Fair* article and news of a major Hollywood adaptation.

This article dives deep into the harrowing details of Margy Palm's abduction, the unlikely 'friendship' that developed during her captivity, and the lasting impact of her faith-driven intervention on the notorious killer known as "The Chameleon." Her story is a powerful testament to survival, faith, and the possibility of change, even in the darkest of circumstances.

Margy Palm (Margaret Mayfield Palm) Profile & Biography

Margy Palm, whose maiden name is Mayfield, became a figure of national interest following her extraordinary survival story. While she is not a public celebrity in the traditional sense, her experience has cemented her place in true crime lore and religious testimony.

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• Full Name: Margaret Mayfield Palm (also known as Margy Palm).
• Occupation: Texas Mother, Volunteer, and Christian Speaker/Testifier.
• Known For: Surviving the 1981 abduction by serial killer Stephen Morin.
• Date of Abduction: December 11 or 12, 1981.
• Location of Abduction: Kmart parking lot outside San Antonio, Texas.
• Abductor: Stephen Peter Morin (The Chameleon Killer).
• Duration of Ordeal: Approximately eight hours.
• Current Status: Still shares her testimony, with her story recently adapted for media.
• Key Event: Shared her Christian faith with Morin, leading to his alleged conversion before his execution.

The Abduction: A Routine Shopping Trip Turns Into a Nightmare

The terrifying ordeal began on December 12, 1981, as Margy Palm was running errands and shopping for Christmas gifts outside a Kmart in San Antonio, Texas. As she returned to her Suburban, she was ambushed by a man who crawled out of a bush in the parking lot: Stephen Morin.

Morin, a man wanted by the FBI and suspected of raping and murdering dozens of women across the country, forced Margy into her own vehicle at gunpoint. He was a master of disguise, earning the nickname "The Chameleon" for his ability to change his appearance to evade authorities.

Margy Palm, a woman of deep and abiding Christian faith, was immediately faced with a life-or-death situation. Despite the terror of being held captive by a known serial killer, her immediate response was not panic, but an unexpected sense of compassion mixed with fear.

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The next eight hours unfolded as a tense and surreal road trip. Morin drove Margy north out of San Antonio, with helicopters circling the city as the search for the killer intensified.

The Unlikely 'Conversion' During Captivity

What happened inside the vehicle is what makes Margy Palm's story so unique and compelling. Rather than resisting or pleading for her life in a traditional sense, Margy began to speak to Morin about Jesus Christ.

She shared her personal testimony and spoke of God’s love and forgiveness. Morin, who was wrestling with a lifetime of crime, addiction, and violence, began to listen. The serial killer, who was suspected of over 30 murders, was reportedly moved by Margy's unwavering faith and the message of redemption.

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Margy Palm has recounted that she saw a tangible change in Morin during those hours. She stated that she "felt compassion for him" even as he was kidnapping her. This spiritual intervention culminated in Morin—the man who had planned to kill her—allegedly accepting Jesus Christ.

The Aftermath: Survival, Faith, and a Killer's Execution

Miraculously, Margy Palm was released unharmed. The serial killer dropped her off and drove away, a free woman after an eight-hour ordeal that few could ever imagine surviving. Her survival is often credited to her courage and her decision to appeal to Morin's spiritual side.

Stephen Morin was apprehended shortly after Margy's release. He was eventually convicted for the 1981 capital murder of Carrie Marie Scott and was suspected of up to 48 murders. Before his execution by the state of Texas on March 13, 1985, Morin withdrew all of his appeals.

Margy Palm has maintained that Morin's conversion was genuine, and she continued to correspond with him while he was on death row. She has dedicated her life to sharing her harrowing experience as a testament to the power of faith and divine intervention, often speaking at Christian events and sharing her story on programs like Sid Roth's *It's Supernatural!*

Renewed Interest: Why Margy Palm’s Story is Trending Now

The story of Margy Palm has experienced a significant resurgence in the current true crime landscape. This renewed interest is largely due to a detailed 2023 article published in *Vanity Fair* by Julie Miller, which told the complete story of the abduction for the first time.

The article, titled "Sympathy for the Devil," captivated readers and media producers alike, bringing the 1981 case back into the spotlight. This journalistic deep-dive served to re-establish Margy Palm's narrative as a compelling, faith-based counterpoint to typical dark true crime stories.

The biggest recent update is the news that Amazon has won a bidding war to adapt the *Vanity Fair* story into a major production. This upcoming series or film will introduce Margy Palm's incredible survival story to a massive global audience, ensuring that her name and the details of her encounter with the notorious Stephen Morin will remain a topic of discussion for years to come.

The Amazon adaptation promises to be a powerful exploration of the limits of human evil and the extraordinary resilience of faith. It will undoubtedly generate new LSI keywords and discussions around themes of true crime, religious testimony, the psychology of serial killers, and miraculous survival stories, solidifying Margy Palm's place in popular culture.