Suzanne Sevakis Abduction and Death in Oklahoma City Oklahoma

The life of Suzanne Sevakis is a tale of abduction, manipulation, and tragedy. Abducted as a child by Franklin Delano Floyd, Suzanne’s story is intertwined with multiple aliases and a life lived under the constant control of her captor. Over the years, she was known by different names—Suzanne Davis, Sharon Marshall, Tonya Tadlock, and Tonya Hughes—each representing a new chapter in her life as Floyd sought to conceal his dark past and maintain his hold over her. This article delves into the heartbreaking narrative of Suzanne’s abduction and the years she lived under Floyd’s control, shedding light on her tragic life and the identity changes that accompanied it.

Suzanne Sevakis: The Innocent Beginning

Suzanne Marie Sevakis was born in 1969 to a young mother, Sandi Chipman, in Michigan. Her early childhood seemed ordinary until her life was shattered by a man named Franklin Delano Floyd. In 1974, when Suzanne was just five years old, Floyd met Sandi, who was a struggling single mother with four children. He convinced Sandi to marry him, and shortly after, he vanished with her children while Sandi served a brief jail sentence for writing bad checks. When she was released, she found that her two daughters and a son had been placed in foster care, but Suzanne was missing. This was the beginning of Suzanne’s nightmare under the grip of a manipulative abductor.

Franklin Delano Floyd: A Dark Past

Franklin Delano Floyd was a man with a deeply troubled history. Born in 1943, he spent much of his life in and out of juvenile detention centers, reform schools, and prisons. Floyd had a record of crimes, including kidnapping and sexual assault, well before he met Sandi Chipman. His criminal background, combined with his ability to manipulate and control those around him, set the stage for the years of abuse and secrecy that would define Suzanne’s life.

The Transformation to Suzanne Davis

After abducting Suzanne, Floyd took her out of Michigan and began the process of controlling every aspect of her existence. He first changed her name to Suzanne Davis, a move that allowed him to enroll her in schools without raising suspicion. The identity change also meant that Suzanne lost all contact with her biological family. With Floyd as her sole guardian, Suzanne was forced into a life of constant relocation and deception, rarely staying in one place long enough to build any real connections.

Sharon Marshall: A Promising Student with a Hidden Past

In the 1980s, Suzanne’s identity shifted once more, this time to Sharon Marshall. As Sharon, Suzanne attended high school in Georgia, where she showed promise as an academically gifted student with dreams of becoming an aerospace engineer. Despite the unsettling circumstances of her home life, her teachers and peers saw her as a bright young woman with a bright future. Sharon won a scholarship to study at the Georgia Institute of Technology, a significant achievement considering her turbulent upbringing.

Yet, behind the scenes, Floyd’s control over her remained absolute. As “Sharon,” she lived with him under the guise that he was her father, a narrative that allowed them to move through life without scrutiny. However, her ambitions to pursue higher education were derailed by Floyd, who kept her from realizing her potential.

The Tragic Life of Tonya Tadlock

In the late 1980s, Floyd and Suzanne adopted new aliases. This time, Suzanne became known as Tonya Tadlock, while Floyd adopted the name Clarence Marcus Hughes. During this period, Floyd forced Suzanne into a marriage with him in New Orleans, though they presented themselves as father and daughter to others. Their life together was marked by constant moves, as Floyd sought to evade the attention of law enforcement.

As Tonya, Suzanne was coerced into a life that involved working at strip clubs and adult entertainment venues, a far cry from the bright future she had once envisioned. Despite the harrowing conditions of her life, Tonya managed to have a son, Michael Hughes, in 1988. The birth of Michael brought a glimmer of hope into Suzanne’s life, even though the circumstances surrounding his father’s identity remain unclear.

The Final Alias: Tonya Hughes

By 1990, Suzanne and Floyd were living in Oklahoma City, where she took on the name Tonya Hughes. The story of Tonya Hughes is perhaps the most tragic of all Suzanne’s identities, as it marked the end of her life under Floyd’s control. Posing as Tonya, she worked as a dancer to support herself and Michael, while Floyd continued to exert his influence over her. However, people around her began to notice the abusive nature of their relationship, and it became increasingly difficult for Floyd to maintain the façade.

The Death of Tonya Hughes

In April 1990, Suzanne—then known as Tonya Hughes—was found severely injured on the side of a highway in Oklahoma City. She died shortly afterward in the hospital, leaving behind her two-year-old son, Michael. Her death was initially ruled an accident, with Floyd’s account suggesting that she had been the victim of a hit-and-run. However, her injuries were inconsistent with that story, leading to suspicions of foul play. Many believe that Floyd was responsible for her death, though he has never been formally charged with the crime.

Franklin Floyd’s Abduction of Michael Hughes

After Suzanne’s death, Floyd tried to claim custody of Michael Hughes, but DNA tests revealed that he was not the boy’s biological father. As a result, Michael was placed in foster care. In 1994, Floyd abducted six-year-old Michael from his elementary school in Choctaw, Oklahoma, holding the school principal at gunpoint during the kidnapping. Michael was never seen again, and Floyd later claimed that he had killed the child, though the exact details of what happened remain unclear.

Discovery of Suzanne Sevakis’ True Identity

For many years, the true identity of “Tonya Hughes” remained a mystery. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, through the efforts of investigators and the renewed interest in the case, that Suzanne Sevakis’ background was uncovered. DNA testing finally revealed that the woman known as Sharon Marshall and Tonya Hughes was, in fact, Suzanne Marie Sevakis, the little girl who had vanished with Franklin Floyd so many years before.

Franklin Floyd’s Arrest and Imprisonment

In 1995, Floyd was apprehended and convicted for the kidnapping of Michael Hughes, receiving a lengthy prison sentence. He was later sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of a woman named Cheryl Ann Commesso, whose body was discovered in Florida. Although Floyd is now behind bars, he has never provided clear answers about Michael’s fate, nor has he confessed to his role in Suzanne’s death. His capture did, however, bring some degree of closure to those who had sought justice for Suzanne and her lost potential.

The Lasting Impact of Suzanne Sevakis’ Story

The tragic story of Suzanne Sevakis is a reminder of the insidious nature of abuse and manipulation. Her life was stolen from her at a young age, and she lived her entire existence under the shadow of a man who exploited and controlled her. Despite the promise she showed as a student, her dreams were shattered by the man who claimed to be her protector.

Suzanne’s Legacy: A Story of Strength and Survival

Though Suzanne Sevakis never got the chance to reclaim her life or escape her abuser, her story has helped raise awareness about the long-term effects of kidnapping and control. It has also highlighted the importance of continuing to search for missing children and the need for vigilance when it comes to the safety of vulnerable individuals. Her life serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unspeakable hardship.

Netflix: Girl in the Picture

Girl in the Picture is a gripping Netflix true-crime documentary that unravels the chilling story of Suzanne Sevakis, a young woman abducted by Franklin Delano Floyd and forced into a life of deception, abuse, and false identities. The film delves into her mysterious past as she lived under various names, including Sharon Marshall and Tonya Hughes, revealing secrets that spanned decades. Through a blend of interviews, archival footage, and expert insights, Girl in the Picture explores the disturbing relationship between Suzanne and Floyd, piecing together a haunting narrative of survival and tragedy.

Remembering Suzanne Sevakis

Today, Suzanne Sevakis is remembered not just as the victim of a heinous crime but as a person whose life was filled with unfulfilled promise. Her story continues to resonate with true crime enthusiasts, survivors of abuse, and advocates for missing children. Although she lived much of her life under aliases—Suzanne Davis, Sharon Marshall, Tonya Tadlock, and Tonya Hughes—the truth of who she was and what she endured has finally come to light.