Believe Me on Netflix: Where is the real Lisa McVey now?

She was on the front row when Bobby Joe Long, the killer who abducted her, was executed

3 years ago

In 1984, she was abducted by a serial killer. But now, Lisa McVey is a Sheriff’s deputy with a family of her own and an incredible story to tell. The shocking real life story of what happened to her has been adapted into a true crime drama film, Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey, which has just been added to Netflix.

It recalls how Lisa, aged 17, was held and tortured for 26 hours by Bobby Joe Long, before she managed to persuade him to release her. Before he took her, Bobby Joe Long had killed 10 women in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and he is reported to have sexually assaulted at least 50. Lisa McVey recalled her story so vividly with police that they were able to track him down.

The end of the film gives a brief update on Lisa’s life at the time the movie was released, but here are all the details of her life now and where she is today.

Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey, Netflix

via Netflix

Lisa McVey has now worked for the police for over 17 years

In an interview after her release from Long, Lisa McVey recalled: “When he released me and drove off, I took off my blindfold and saw this amazing oak tree. I had wanted to die before and now I wanted to live, I got a second chance at life.” Lisa went on to live with her Aunt Carol and Uncle Jim for a few years. She became a Sheriff’s deputy, specialising in sex crimes and working to protect children.

Lisa McVey is now aged 54 and a deputy in the Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, which is the same office that captured killer Bobby Joe Long. She also works as a school resource officer and motivational speaker and has remained friends with Larry Pinkerton – the detective who believed her story and helped to get Bobby Joe Long caught.

Lisa McVey Noland now, Sherif, work, job, police

via YouTube

Within two years of her abduction she got married to a fellow police officer and gave birth to a daughter soon after. Lisa now also has a granddaughter and uses her married name, Noland. Her marriage reportedly broke down five years later, and she is also said to have suffered from post-traumatic stress and bouts of depression and nightmares relating to her ordeal.

In an interview in December 2020 she said: “I’ve been in the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years and a School Resource Officer for seven years. I’m at a middle school now. They know I’m Mama Bear. Nobody messes with my kids, and my kids know that.”

In 2018, when Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey was released, it was aired at a special screening in the exact Tampa movie theatre where Long was captured. Lisa, alongside some friends and family members, attending the screening from which proceeds from ticket sales went to Mary Lee’s House, which provides services to victims of domestic violence.

Lisa McVey has also appeared on a number of TV shows and has done interviews sharing her story.

via YouTube

In 2019, Bobby Joe Long was finally executed after 34 years on death row. Some 25 people witnessed his death, where his final word was “no” as he declined to make a final statement before being executed. One of those witnesses was Lisa McVey herself, who sat on the front row. “I wanted to be the first person he saw,” she said. “I wanted to look him in the eye. Unfortunately, he didn’t open his eyes. It was comforting to know this was actually happening.”

Lisa speaking to reporters after Long’s execution, Photo by Brendan Farrington/AP/Shutterstock

Speaking to the media at the execution, Lisa McVey Noland said: “Bobby Joe Long. Hear me loud and clear. Hear my roaring voice, may God have mercy on your soul. Long. Overdue.” She then broke into tears as thanked Long. “The reason why I say thank you now is that I have forgiven you for what you have done to me,” she said. “Had I not forgiven you, I might as well be in my own prison without walls.”

Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news, drops, quizzes and memes like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook.