Norma Countryman’s story

Norma Countryman had a terrifying encounter with Warren Forrest in July 1974.

It was a sweltering July day in 1974 when she sat by the side of the road in Ridgefield, Washington, smoking a cigarette and trying to figure out a way to escape the abuse at home.

Soon, a shiny blue van pulled up, and the man inside, with piercing blue eyes, began talking to her. At first, she hesitated, unsure if she should get in — but eventually, she accepted his offer for a ride.

“A fateful decision,” she told The Columbian. “Stupid; get into a van with a stranger when you’re not supposed to, and that’s what I did.”

On the Stolen Voices of Dole Valley podcast, host Carolyn Ossorio shared: