A 15-year-old girl managed to survive a horrific attack by a serial killer who brutally assaulted her, severed both her arms, and left her for dead in a ravine. In 1978, while hitchhiking across California to reach her grandfather’s home, Mary Vincent encountered Lawrence Singleton, a 51-year-old ex-merchant sailor, who picked her up in his blue van. What began as a hopeful ride quickly descended into a nightmare as he drove her to an isolated area, assaulted her for hours, and ultimately attempted to kill her.
Singleton rendered Mary unconscious before stripping her and restraining her. For hours, she pleaded for her life. At one point, he coldly stated, “You want to be set free? I’ll set you free,” before using a hatchet to sever both of her arms. He then discarded her like trash into a ravine, according to reports from the Mirror.
Against all odds, Mary fought for survival. She later recounted to Open Ceilings Magazine that a voice in her mind urged her to stay awake, insisting, “I can’t go to sleep.” Realizing the horror of her situation, she stuffed her wounds with dirt to stop the bleeding and managed to crawl out of the 30-foot ravine. Eventually, she flagged down a passing vehicle, leading to her rescue.
According to a court document obtained by UPI, “the next morning, two individuals found Mary Vincent wandering nude,” desperately holding her arms to prevent the blood from spilling out. After being transported to a local hospital, Mary assisted law enforcement in creating a forensic sketch of her assailant, which played a critical role in the identification and capture of Singleton. He was subsequently convicted of attempted murder, mayhem, kidnapping, and multiple sexual assault charges.
In court, Mary pointed at Singleton with her prosthetic arm and firmly stated, “I was attacked. I was raped and my hands were cut off.” Despite the severity of his crimes, Singleton received a 14-year prison sentence but was released after only eight years in 1987. His early release sparked public outrage, with California residents demonstrating against his freedom. Singleton was placed in a trailer on the grounds of San Quentin prison until his parole ended, as no community in Northern California would accept him, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Tragically, Singleton’s release had dire consequences. In 1997, he murdered Roxanne Hayes, a 31-year-old woman in Tampa, Florida. Although he received a death sentence for this crime, he died of cancer while incarcerated in 2001. Mary expressed her devastation over the situation, stating, “It had to happen again before anyone realized he shouldn’t have been released in the first place.” She lamented the return of her nightmares, saying, “It starts off with my attack, and then I end up seeing all these other people and worse things happening to them.”
Mary has since become a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, sharing her story to support other victims. California enacted legislation, informally dubbed the “Singleton bill,” which increased the maximum punishment for offenses similar to Singleton’s crimes.
Now a mother of two grown children, Mary enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband in Washington. She has channeled her experiences into her art, creating powerful images of strong women. Additionally, she crafts prosthetic devices for various sports and recreational activities, utilizing components salvaged from old radios and appliances. Through her journey, Mary Vincent continues to inspire others, turning her traumatic past into a platform for change.
