Philly basement victim's past uncovered

NORFOLK, Va. - Investigators say one of the victims found chained in a Philadelphia basement used to live and work in Norfolk.

The story startled Dave Wilber, Sunday morning, because when he turned on the news he recognized Herbert Knowles.

"It really was a shock. I was like, 'No, it couldn't be Herbert," Wilber, Chief Operating Officer of Eggleston Services , said.

However, there was no mistaking the identity of the man on the screen.

"The picture in the paper I saw or in the media of him in the hospital was just the perfect picture of him, big old smile, great guy," Wilber added.

Wilber worked with Herbert Knowles at Eggleston Services in Norfolk from 1993 until 2008. Eggleston works with disabled people to help them find work, give them life coaching and more.

"[Herbert] was a good worker, a hard worker, liked coming to work, had great friends. He was a pretty outgoing guy," Wilber said.

Knowles worked five days a week and rarely missed a day until 2008.

Wilber explained, "There started to be a series of strange things that were occurring that our staff were working with his case workers on and those kinds of things."

"Strange things" like an abrupt address change and people accompanying Knowles that Eggleston staff never saw before.

"They would show up at work, but he stated he lived with them," Wilber said.

Then, Knowles was gone. According to Wilber, Eggleston workers never saw him again until his face popped up on the news.

Linda Weston, Gregory Thomas, and Eddie Wright are all accused of kidnapping and stealing the victims' disability and social security checks.

"It's crazy. Absolutely crazy," Wilber said.

Wilber is hopeful the sad chapter of Knowles story is over, allowing a new one to begin with the life he deserves.

"He's going to be back at home, taken care of, back in the system, at least here in Virginia hopefully, and you know, back on his feet which is great. He is always welcome at Eggleston," Wilber added.

The four victims found in the basement are staying at a personal care facility contracted by Pennsylvania officials.