10 Times Victims ESCAPED Serial Killers

Escaped: Robert Black Between 1981 and 1986, Robert Black committed the sexual assault and murder of at least four girls in the UK. His list of victims could easily have included Teresa Thornhill, if not for a narrow escape. In April 1988, Thornhill was walking home when she was approached by Black in his van. The criminal pretended to have engine trouble and when she approached him, he grabbed her and attempted to shove her into his van. Remarkably, Thornhill fought back and screamed, which alerted a nearby friend who rushed towards the scene. Black then released Thornhill and hastily fled in his van. He was eventually arrested in 1990 and convicted, four years later, of multiple charges including the attempted abduction of Thornhill.

Escaped: William Bonin Many hitchhikers in the United States have sadly fallen victim to depraved killers. Roger Sproston narrowly escaped such a fate in 1980 when he hitched a ride to downtown Los Angeles with a man driving a red Ford Pinto. Unbeknownst to him, the driver was William Bonin, a notorious killer who had already sexually assaulted and murdered more than a dozen men and boys. Sproston was unknowingly poised to become his next victim. However, when Bonin attempted to strangle the hitchhiker, he managed to wiggle his fingers under the rope and fought his way out of the car. Sproston quickly flagged down a police car and described Bonin to the officers. He was reportedly arrested just 10 days later.

Escaped: David Parker Ray Dubbed the Toy-Box Killer, David Parker Ray is believed to have murdered up to 60 women. Ray kept his victims captive in his trailer, or Toy Box, where he sexually assaulted them repeatedly, sometimes with other accomplices. His reign of terror ended in 1999 after he kidnapped Cynthia Vigil. Vigil was held captive for three days by Ray and his girlfriend, Cindy Hendy. On the third day, while Ray was at work, Vigil managed to unlock her chains and escape from the trailer after stabbing Hendy. A neighbor took her in and promptly called the police, leading to Ray’s arrest. He was sentenced to 224 years in prison for kidnapping and torture, but died of a heart attack one year later.

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Escaped: Shawn Grate Over the span of a decade, Shawn Grate murdered at least five women in Ohio, including two of his former girlfriends. In 2016, he abducted another woman, whose identity remains confidential. Grate held her captive in a house in Ashland, Ohio, subjecting her to repeated sexual assaults over three days. Despite the harrowing situation, the victim was able to use Grate’s phone to call 911 while he slept and stayed on the line until police arrived. Upon reaching the location, officers arrested Grate and discovered the bodies of two more women on the property. The killer was indicted on 23 criminal counts, including aggravated murder and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently sentenced to death.

Lisa McVey

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Escaped: Bobby Joe Long Today, Lisa McVey is a motivational speaker and police officer specializing in the sex crimes unit. Her career path was greatly shaped by a traumatic experience during her teenage years. Back in 1984, McVey was abducted while riding her bike home from work. Her captor was Bobby Joe Long, a notorious serial killer who was already responsible for the deaths of at least eight women. McVey was held captive for 26 hours, during which she was tortured and sexually assaulted. However, she managed to build an unlikely connection with Long and ultimately persuaded him into letting her go. Once freed, McVey provided crucial information to the authorities that helped them apprehend Long less than two weeks later.

Escaped: Andrew Urdiales From 1986 to 1996, Andrew Urdiales targeted nine women and successfully claimed the lives of eight, with only one eluding his murderous grasp. That woman was Jennifer Asbenson. In 1992, Asbenson accepted a ride to work from Urdiales and gave him a fake phone number when he asked for her contact. Infuriated, Urdiales waited for Asbenson and offered her another ride home, during which he bound her hands and attempted to sexually assault her. He then forced her into his trunk and continued driving. Fortunately, Asbenson freed herself and escaped by popping the trunk from inside. It would take nearly five years for police to apprehend Urdiales. He was eventually convicted of all eight murders, but took his own life while awaiting execution.

Kate Moir

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Escaped: David & Catherine Birnie In 1986, Australian couple David and Catherine Birnie embarked on a one-month killing spree that claimed the lives of four women. On November 9th, they abducted their fifth intended victim, Kate Moir, after giving her a late-night ride. Moir endured sexual assault from the couple and was forced to sleep in their bed while handcuffed to David. The following day, while David was at work and Catherine answered the front door, Moir escaped through a window and reported her harrowing experience to the police. Initially met with skepticism, Moir was able to convince officers through the detailed account she provided. After the Birnies were arrested, David confessed to the killing spree and disclosed the whereabouts of their victims’ remains.

Escaped: Ted Bundy By the time notorious serial killer Ted Bundy attempted to abduct Carol DaRonch in 1974, the world was yet to know just how diabolical he was. Bundy had approached DaRonch at a mall in Utah posing as a police officer investigating a carjacking. He asked DaRonch to accompany him to a supposed police station, but once in his car, he attacked her and tried to handcuff her. What he wasn’t prepared for was DaRonch’s fierce resistance. The then 18-year-old fought back and managed to escape after jumping out of the car. Using information provided by DaRonch, police identified and arrested Bundy the following year. He was subsequently convicted of her kidnap and assault, and sentenced to one to 15 years.

Escaped: Jeffrey Dahmer If not for Tracy Edwards, Jeffrey Dahmer’s murderous spree might have continued much longer. Edwards nearly lost his life when he followed Dahmer to his apartment after meeting him at a local bar. Once inside, Edwards noticed several unsettling details, including a strong foul odor, boxes of hydrochloric acid and a blue 57-gallon drum. Before long, Dahmer had handcuffed one of his wrists and brandished a knife which he pressed against his body. Edwards initially played along, but once the opportunity came, he punched Dahmer and escaped the apartment. He would later return with police officers who discovered the human remains in the residence and placed Dahmer under arrest. Edwards testified during Dahmer’s trial, helping to put him behind bars.

Escaped: Gary Ridgway With 49 confirmed murders, Gary Ridgway stands as one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. That number might have reached 50 had Rebecca Garde not narrowly escaped a fateful encounter with him. Ridgway had picked up Garde while she was hitchhiking along the Pacific Highway. Looking to earn quick cash, Garde offered to perform an intimate service on Ridgway and led him into the woods. Once there, he attacked her and attempted to strangle her. Fortunately, Garde was able to fend him off and sought refuge in a nearby trailer home. As she engaged in certain illicit activities at the time, Garde waited two years before reporting her harrowing experience to the police. What other lucky individuals do you know have evaded a killer? Let us know in the comments below.