‘Top Gun’ Star Vulnerably Opens Up About Years of Sexual Abuse

A Pennsylvania mother’s marriage to a well-regarded doctor unraveled into horror after the discovery of a hidden camera revealed years of abuse. Justin Rutherford, once viewed as a devoted husband and father, is now serving a decades-long prison sentence after admitting to sexually abusing his stepson, Tyler VanScyoc, and another minor. He was later convicted of plotting VanScyoc’s murder while behind bars. The shocking case inspired part of Hulu’s “Betrayal,” where actor Anthony Edwards, known for “Top Gun” and “ER,” connected with VanScyoc through the organization 1 in 6, which supports male survivors of sexual abuse.

Justin Rutherford’s Crimes & Sentencing

A Pennsylvania mother’s marriage to a well-regarded doctor unraveled into horror after the discovery of a hidden camera revealed years of abuse.

Justin Rutherford, once viewed as a devoted husband and father, is now serving a decades-long prison sentence after admitting to sexually abusing his stepson, Tyler VanScyoc, and another minor.

He was later convicted of plotting VanScyoc’s murder while behind bars.

Anthony Edwards Stands With Survivors

Edwards has long advocated for male survivors of abuse and saw VanScyoc’s story as an essential moment of visibility. “More kids are going to get hurt and stay silent like I did when people don’t share,” Edwards told ABC News.

“From a lot of survivors in the world that I’ve met, they’re saying, ‘Tell Tyler thanks.’”

VanScyoc’s courage in coming forward is central to the Hulu series. His story not only highlights the depth of Rutherford’s betrayal but also underscores the resilience of survivors who refuse to remain silent.

When Edwards Opened Up About Childhood Abuse

(Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Greene on the first eight seasons of “ER,” revealed he was a survivor of sexual abuse. In a personal essay published on Medium, Edwards shared that producer Gary Goddard molested him when he was a pre-teen.

Edwards said he first met Goddard when he was 12, describing him as a mentor and a “dominant force” in his life. “He taught me about the value of acting, respect for friendship, and the importance of studying,” Edwards wrote, before accusing him of abuse.

Representational Image/Canva

“I was molested by Goddard, my best friend was raped by him — and this went on for years,” Edwards wrote in the essay published in Medium in November 2017.

“The group of us, the gang, stayed quiet. Why? One of the most tragic effects of sexual abuse in children is that the victims often feel deeply responsible — as if it is somehow their fault. With their sick form of control, abusers exploit a child’s natural desire to bond.” Read his gut-wrenching column here.

Moving Forward After Trauma

For VanScyoc and his family, Rutherford’s conviction brought both devastation and relief. His mother, Stacey Rutherford, told ABC News, “We lived the American dream and he destroyed it.” The family lost their home and had to rebuild their lives.

VanScyoc, now 20, is engaged and pursuing a career as a personal trainer. He hopes his story will inspire other men to speak out. “Just because we’re men, it doesn’t mean we’re weak,” he said. “We’re still strong. It doesn’t mean we’re not a man.”

ABC News Studios’ three-part series, “Betrayal: Under His Eye,” began streaming in full on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday, September 2.

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