The survivor who refused to stay silent
It started with a walk in the sun. A young woman recently returned from studying abroad, enjoying a gap year after two years of college, was out for a walk. She was enjoying the Portland sunshine when she was approached by a handsome stranger who claimed to be a student photographer. Would she like to model for him? He’d pay her, of cours. She climbed into his van and disappeared.
In Episode 4, we follow the story of Susan—a name we use to protect her privacy—who encountered a man offering a ride. What followed was a nightmare: an abduction, a drive deep into the woods, and a brutal assault that ended with her left for dead in a shallow grave.
But Susan wasn’t dead.
She woke beneath the logs and branches that had been piled on her. Crawled out. Staggered through the brush. Made it back to safety. Her survival was miraculous—and this time, law enforcement acted quickly. Warren Forrest, a Clark County Parks and Rec employee, was arrested the next morning. But this begs the question; why was this victim believed but Norma wasn’t?
The details of her attack eerily mirror those from Norma Jean’s case. A similar van. A similar weapon. A familiar MO. Still, law enforcement didn’t connect the dots.
Even when two more bodies were found in Dole Valley.
This episode reveals Susan’s story using archival audio, first-hand testimony, and law enforcement interviews. Her escape was not just an act of strength—it was a chance to stop Warren Forrest before he struck again.
This time the investigation was thorough; they had their man. Without question. Susan’s survival and her behavior throughout her recovery was nothing short of heroic. And still, Warren Forrest was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to Western State Mental Hospital. This failure by the justice system – they never had their own experts interview Warren Forrest – would only lead to more anguish. And the discovery of another victim.
Susan didn’t just survive. She bore witness. And in doing so, she joined a growing sisterhood of voices that the world has not heard.
Until now.
