Kidnapped and Trapped in a Box for 7 Years
When 20-year-old Colleen Stan decided to hitchhike from Eugene, Oregon, in 1977, she couldn't have predicted the horror awaiting her. Cameron and Janice Hooker, seemingly a harmless couple with a baby, picked her up, leading to seven years of captivity and unimaginable torment.
A Hitchhike Gone Horribly Wrong
On May 19, 1977, Stan was trying to hitchhike to go to a friend's birthday party in Northern California when she accepted a ride from Cameron and Janice Hooker. She was cautious, refusing several rides before getting into the couple's van, considering them safer due to their baby. However, within 30 minutes, her nightmare began. Cameron pulled off the road, held her at knifepoint, and confined her in a box designed to muffle sounds and obstruct sight.
Life in Captivity
Stan's captivity in Red Bluff, California, was brutal. Cameron Hooker hung her from the basement rafters, whipped her, and subjected her to sexual assault. He coerced her into signing a "slave contract." For the first few years, she spent up to 23 hours a day in a coffin-like box under the Hookers' bed, enduring extreme temperatures and isolation. She was allowed out only for brief periods to perform household chores and suffer further abuse.
The Psychological Prison
Cameron manipulated Stan into believing she was watched by a fictional organization called "The Company," which he claimed would kill her and her family if she tried to escape. This psychological coercion was effective, making her too terrified to flee even when given the opportunity.
In March 1981, Cameron went with Stan to visit her parents in Oregon. Fearing repercussions from her captor's threats, she introduced him as her fiancé and concealed her captivity. Her parents, unaware of her ordeal, believed she was involved in a cult and documented the visit with a photo of the supposed couple. As psychologist Michele Galietta explained, such pervasive and prolonged trauma can drastically alter a person's psyche, making the unbelievable seem real.
Janice Hooker's Role
Janice's involvement was crucial yet complex. Initially complicit, she eventually turned against Cameron when he planned to acquire another slave. In August 1984, Janice confided in a pastor and then revealed to Stan that "The Company" was a fabrication. Armed with this new knowledge, Stan finally escaped but called Cameron from the bus station, revealing her departure. Cameron, during his trial, tearfully described this call as a "hard goodbye."
After Colleen Stan returned to her family in Oregon, she kept the years of torment she experienced a secret from everyone, including the police. Before assisting Stan in her escape, Janice had made her promise not to report the ordeal to the authorities, hoping that her husband could change through counseling and prayer.
Legal Consequences
Janice reported Cameron's crimes to the police three months later, despite initial hesitation and attempts to destroy evidence. She cooperated with authorities, gaining immunity in exchange for her testimony. Cameron Hooker was convicted on Oct. 31, 1985, for kidnapping, rape, and sexual abuse, receiving a 104-year prison sentence. According to A&E, the judge deemed him "the most dangerous psychopath I have ever dealt with."
The Aftermath
Colleen Stan rebuilt her life after her escape. She underwent intensive therapy, earned a degree, married, and started a family. She now supports other abuse survivors, drawing from her harrowing experiences to help them heal. Despite initial fears, she eventually shared her story with the authorities, leading to Cameron's arrest. Her ordeal has since been depicted in various media, highlighting the severe impact of Stockholm syndrome and the resilience of survivors.
Cameron Hooker remains imprisoned at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison. Though denied parole in 2015, he may become eligible again in 2030. Experts remain skeptical about his rehabilitation, given the depth of his psychopathy and lack of remorse.
Colleen Stan's story is a harrowing tale of endurance and survival. Her experience sheds light on the extreme psychological manipulation victims can endure and the long-lasting effects of such trauma. Her eventual escape and subsequent efforts to help others are a testament to her strength and resilience.
References: Colleen Stan Was Kidnapped and Kept in a Box for 7 Years | All The Facts About 'The Girl In The Box,' The Terrifying Case Of Colleen Stan
