Bound In A Box The True Story Of Colleen Stan
Colleen Stan was a young woman from Oregon who had a passion for hitchhiking. In May of 1977, she was on her way to a friend's birthday party when she accepted a ride from a man named Cameron Hooker. Little did she know that this would be the beginning of a seven-year nightmare that would leave her bound in a box for 23 hours a day.
The Abduction
Once inside Hooker's car, Stan was forced into a wooden box that was placed in the back of the car. Hooker then drove her to his home in Red Bluff, California where he kept her locked in a box that was only 2 feet wide, 2 feet high, and 3 feet long. Stan was only allowed out of the box for an hour a day, during which time she was forced to perform household chores and have sex with Hooker.
The Captivity
Stan was kept in this box for 23 hours a day for the first two years of her captivity. Hooker eventually allowed her to have more freedom, but she was always under his control. He even went as far as to create a contract that he made Stan sign, which stated that she was his slave and that he had complete control over her.
Hooker went to great lengths to keep Stan under his control. He convinced her that he was part of a group called "The Company" and that they would kill her and her family if she tried to escape. He also created a fake headboard for the bed that she slept in, which had a speaker that played the sound of a motor running. This was done to make Stan think that she was in a basement and that there was no way out.
The Escape
After seven years of captivity, Stan was finally able to escape. Hooker had allowed her to go on a trip with his family and while they were away, Stan was able to convince Hooker's wife to let her go to a nearby town to go shopping. Once there, Stan called her family and asked them to come and get her. They immediately contacted the police, who were able to locate and arrest Hooker.
Hooker was eventually sentenced to 104 years in prison for his crimes against Stan. He was convicted of kidnapping, rape, and other charges related to his treatment of her. Stan has since gone on to become an advocate for victims of sexual abuse and has spoken publicly about her experience in order to help others who may be going through similar situations.
The Aftermath
Stan's story is one of the most horrific cases of abduction and captivity in American history. Her endurance and resilience in the face of such unimaginable circumstances are a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Her advocacy work has helped to bring attention to the issue of sexual abuse and has given hope to those who have suffered in silence.
It is important to remember that these types of crimes can happen to anyone, and it is important to be aware of the warning signs and to take action if you suspect that someone may be a victim of abuse. Through education, awareness, and support, we can work together to prevent these types of crimes from happening in the future.