Joyce McKinney: The Unconventional Love Story That Tabloids Dream Of Welcome to another episode of Lesser Known People, where we dig up the most jaw-dropping, head-scratching tales from history. Today, we're rolling out the red carpet for Joyce McKinney—a woman whose life was like a soap opera written by someone who forgot to take their meds. Prepare yourself for a saga of love, scandal, and the kind of obsession that makes your Aunt Karen's collection of cat figurines look tame. Joyce McKinney was born in North Carolina in 1949, a state famous for its barbecue and, apparently, captors of Mormon missionaries. As a young woman, Joyce had her eyes set on Kirk Anderson, a Mormon missionary who had no idea he was about to be cast in the most bizarre rom-com/drama of the 1970s. In 1977, Joyce decided that love couldn't wait and allegedly kidnapped Anderson, taking him to a secluded cottage in England. The British tabloids, always hungry for a juicy story, dubbed it the "Manacled Mormon" case. According to Joyce, their relationship was like a fairytale, with her playing the role of a love-struck princess and Anderson the prince. Anderson, however, told a slightly different story, where he was more of a trapped prince, shackled by a very determined princess. The scandal turned Joyce into an instant celebrity. She was arrested, but proving that love knows no bounds—and apparently no bail conditions—she skipped bail and went on the lam. The media couldn't get enough of her, and honestly, who could blame them? It's not every day you get a story that's one part romance, one part true crime, and five parts "Wait, what?" So, strap in and get ready for the ride of a lifetime as we dissect the adventures of Joyce McKinney, a woman who redefined the term "love story." Join us on Lesser Known People as we unravel a narrative that's as unbelievable as it is unforgettable.