The Horrific 1978 Attack Of Mary Vincent
The following article includes graphic descriptions of physical violence and sexual assault.
Sometimes one split-second decision can change the course of someone's life, for better or for worse. For a young runaway named Mary Vincent, one choice took her life on a dark turn. In fact, considering what she endured, it is nothing short of a miracle that she is alive at all. Her future was thrown into question when she had the misfortune of crossing paths with a man who could only be described as evil.
According to All That's Interesting, 15-year-old Mary Vincent decided to run away to her grandfather's home in California. As it was 1978, a popular way for people to travel was hitchhiking, which is how she was making her way to her destination. While on the road, she hitched a ride from a man named Lawrence Singleton on September 1978. Singleton initially appeared to be an unassuming older man, but it turns out he was nothing short of a monster.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Vincent Realized She Made A Mistake
Prior to getting in Lawrence Singleton's blue van, Mary Vincent was warned by two other hitchhikers to not get in the car (per Open Ceilings Magazine). Despite having room for multiple passengers, Singleton insisted that he just had room for Vincent. As she was rather desperate to get to her grandfather's home, Vincent unfortunately decided to travel with Singleton. She got in the passenger seat of the van and drove off down Interstate 5.
After a short amount of time, Vincent started to come to the realization that accepting this ride may have been a mistake. She did eventually fall asleep as Singleton continued to drive, but when she woke up, she realized that they were no longer traveling in the right direction (per All That's Interesting). She then demanded that Singleton turn around, which he did, but her unease with the situation continued to grow. When they pulled over for a bathroom break, Singleton attacked her as she was tying her shoe and tied her up in the back of the van.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
She Survived A Horrific Attack
While she was trapped in the van, Lawrence Singleton proceeded to rape Mary Vincent as she pled for her life and promised not to tell anyone (per Open Ceilings Magazine). He repeatedly assaulted her before telling her that he was going to "free" her, just like she was asking for. Singleton then proceeded to hack off Vincent's arms with a hatchet and dump her off the edge of a nearby cliff face off the side of the road. He assumed she was dead and drove off.
Miraculously, Mary Vincent not only survived being raped and having her arms chopped off, she survived the drop off that cliff as well. Somehow she managed to drag herself back up to the road and then travel 3 miles before flagging down a couple who were on their honeymoon, who stopped to rescue her (via Open Ceilings Magazine). By the time she reached the hospital, Vincent had reportedly lost half of the blood in her body, yet she still lived. She gave the police a description of Lawrence Singleton, which they used to track him down and arrest him.
Mary Vincent took the stand against Lawrence Singleton, and her testimony resulted in him being convicted of rape, kidnapping, and attempted murder (per All That's Interesting). Despite being convicted on multiple charges of horrific crimes, Lawrence Singleton only served a bit over 8 years in jail before being paroled.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).