Three Women Held Captive in "House of Horror"
Logline
Lily Rose Lee, formerly known as Michelle Knight, is continuing her post-captivity healing journey after being kidnapped in the early 2000s. Now, she’s on a powerful quest to share her story; find her son who she hasn’t seen in over 20 years; reunite with the two women who were held captive in the House of Horrors; and confront her mother about her secretive past to discover her true identity.
Police Rescue Cleveland Captives
Summary
We know the headlines. Three young women were kidnapped in Cleveland, Ohio and held for 11 years. After enduring 4,000 days horrific trauma that includes being beaten, raped, starved and tortured they were finally rescued in a dramatic escape. Ariel Castro, the perpetrator, committed suicide in jail while awaiting his sentencing.
In the aftermath of this trauma, courageous survivor Lily Rose Lee has been recovering. She found healing love in her husband Miguel who she married in 2016. She founded “Unleashed Animal Rescue” which she owns and operates in rural Ohio. “I would say they are rescuing me”, Lily has said of her animals. Now, Lily’s ready to peel another layer of trauma back to address the root of her trauma that lives within in our new docuseries LILY ROSE LEE.
11-Year Cleveland Kidnapping Comes to a Dramatic End
Timeline
Lily was kidnapped in 2002. By 2004, two other girls had been abducted and all were forced to live against their will in a delapitated Cleveland, Ohio home. The day Lily, then Michelle, was kidnapped she was late for an appointment to discuss custody of her two-year-old son. In 2011, after 11 torturous years, Lily and the other two young women finally escaped the horrific experience now known as the House Of Horrors.
'Alive and Safe'
Purpose
While Lily has publicly told her story she’s never told it like this. A deeper layer of healing awaits Lily in her most recent attempt to become fully whole, a layer so painful she couldn’t face it for over a decade. Finally ready to embrace vulnerability, Lily plans to embark on a new era of healing in front of our lens, hoping to release her fueled-by-trauma pain. By participating in this docuseries Lily hopes to help others overcome the weight of unspeakable trauma, a burden she’s ready to shed. Her goal is to lead others to healing, hope and peace by her very courageous example, one our cameras plan to capture as the emotional storytelling unfolds.
Cleveland Kidnapping Survivors: Where Are They Now?
Impact Campaign
Post-trauma life for high-profile crime victims usually revolves around a very public re-telling of the story then re-living the ordeal through a sensational trial. Consumers of crime stories become fixated. The attention is overwhelming. But when it’s over, a whole different story emerges. The frenzy fizzles out. Sometimes it vanishes completely. The public stops thinking about it and moves onto the next. We’re here to change that. The aftermath of these events can lead survivors to personal and professional struggles, depression, PTSD or worse for years after the event, or events, occurred. Lily Rose Lee wants to help women survivors of domestic violence to change their circumstances. By continuing to confront her story many years later she’s advocating for all survivors to be brave, take action and share their stories in the spirit of healing.
Lily's Statement
“For all of those going through a trauma or any type of abuse, do not wait until it's too late. Please speak up and speak up very soon. I've had a lot of friends who have committed suicide, harmed themsevles, their children, or their husband has harmed them. Don't ever fear you need to stay just because of your child or your pet. And if you have a pet, one of my programs is being able to bring them to my home. Seek help. Don't wait”.
Meet the Award Winning Team
DANA RICHIE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Dana is a journalist-turned-filmmaker known for bringing heart and soul into every creative project.She doesn’t just tell stories—she brings them to life and finds continuously innovative, boundary-breaking ways to do it across short and long-form platforms. From “real people” documentaries to digital series, original branded content, commercials and beyond, Dana combines a visionary approach with her ability to cut straight to the beating heart of a story, leaning into humanity, and creating something entirely new, authentic, and ahead of the curve.
FRANCESCO LUCARELLI
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Francesco's impressive 25-year tenure in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries is defined by his commitment to embracing challenges and driving innovation. He has a proven track record in managing all facets of strategic and creative work production, from intricate product launches to developing results-driven strategies. His leadership extends beyond internal team management to fostering strong relationships with clients, ensuring their satisfaction and engagement. Francesco's approach is deeply rooted in story telling, particularly through video, where he excels in conveying compelling stories and perspectives. His unique ability to intertwine strategic insight with creative expression makes him an invaluable leader, capable of steering projects to success and leaving a lasting impact.
ELAINE ARADILLAS
VETERAN CRIME JOURNALIST
Elaine Aradillas is a veteran crime journalist whose 20-year career has focused on in-depth crime reporting with an emphasis on highlighting survivors of tragedy. Having spent much of her career at PEOPLE magazine, Elaine reported on some of the most significant and harrowing national stories, from mass shootings to high-profile missing persons cases, and brought them to life on-screen for seven seasons of PEOPLE Magazine Investigates on Investigation Discovery. Her expertise has been featured on Dateline, Good Morning America, Nightline, and more. She is driven by a mission to bring balanced, inclusive storytelling to light and continues to advocate for marginalized voices.