35- years Larry Park has lived a life filled with anger, sadness and pain after being kidnapped by three masked gunman and forced into a small airless chamber.
"I lived in the pain for 35-years and it didn't change a thing, it just ruined me, it was destroying me," said Park.
Park received a call last Thursday that one of his kidnappers Richard Schoenfeld could be released from prison very soon. Park says just months ago he would have been mortified by the news but he's now forgiven his kidnappers.
"It ate me up for 35-years, I know what it is, but I also know the peace of letting go," said Park.
But many folks in Chowchilla don't share that sentiment, most remember the horror of that summer day back in 1976. And don't want to see Schoenfeld released.
"Oh I hope they keep in there," said Dorothy Seals, Chowchilla resident.
The three kidnappers received life sentences to 27 counts of kidnapping for ransom but in 1980 they were eligible for parole ruling the victims didn't suffer any bodily harm. Schoenfeld has been denied parole more than 20 times, his attorney spoke to CBS47 by phone and is satisfied justice is being served.
"The parole board has made a decision that he poses no danger to society and that the court of appeal has now recognized he has been punished enough," said Scott Handleman.
Park feels he's suffered long enough and wants the pain to end, saying his kidnappers took enough and he's ready for closure.
"I'm not saying that I would take him into my house but if he knocked on my door and he was hungry, I would at least feed him," said Park.
Park is hoping to meet Schoenfeld when he gets out of prison. The other two kidnappers have yet to be found suitable for parole.