A 15-year-old girl bravely fought for her life after a violent encounter with a serial killer in 1978. Mary Vincent, who was hitchhiking in California, was picked up by a man named Lawrence Singleton, who proceeded to assault her, severing both of her arms and leaving her in a ravine. Despite her dire situation, Mary showed immense determination by using dirt to stop the bleeding from her wounds. She managed to crawl out of the ravine and seek help from passing individuals.
Mary’s resilience led to the identification and arrest of Singleton, who was convicted of various charges including attempted murder, mayhem, and kidnapping. Despite being sentenced to 14 years in prison, he was released after serving only eight years, sparking public outrage. Singleton later committed another heinous crime, resulting in his death in prison from cancer in 2001.
Mary Vincent, now a mother and artist living in Washington, has become an advocate for sentencing reform and victims’ rights. Her harrowing experience has inspired her to create art depicting empowered women and to craft prosthetic tools for various activities. Through her advocacy work, Mary aims to prevent similar tragedies and support those affected by violent crimes.