Couple Kept Kidnap Victim in a Box Under Their Bed
When 20-year-old Colleen Stan hit the road on May 19, 1977, hitchhiking through northern California to surprise a friend for her birthday, she had no idea her life would change forever. She trusted her instincts, turning down a ride from a group of young men because something didn't feel right. But when a clean-cut couple with a baby pulled over, Colleen felt safe enough to climb into their car. What happened next plunged her into a nightmare so chilling that it remains one of the most disturbing cases of captivity ever recorded.
What happened to Colleen Stan?
Colleen's seemingly kind drivers, Cameron and Janice Hooker, veered off the main road under the pretense of sightseeing. Suddenly, Cameron pulled a knife, threatened her life, and forced her into a homemade wooden box that fit over her head. As reported by News.com.au, Colleen recalled, "He throws a blindfold over my eyes, tied my ankles together with some rope and puts the knife back to my throat and says, 'Are you going to do what I say?' Of course I said yes."
He dragged her into the basement of their Red Bluff, California, home, where he hung her from the ceiling and whipped her. According to AETV, Cameron forced her to sign a "master-slave contract" that stripped her of all autonomy. For the next seven years, Colleen spent up to 23 hours a day locked in a coffin-like box, initially kept in the basement before being moved beneath the Hookers' bed. When she wasn't confined, Cameron tortured, raped, and terrorized her, breaking her spirit and asserting complete control.
Why didn't Colleen escape?
Cameron manipulated Colleen through fear, creating a fictional organized crime group called "The Company" that he claimed monitored her every move. He warned that any attempt to escape would result in brutal harm to her or her family. Michele Galietta, a psychology professor, explained to AETV, "It sounds a little unbelievable, but ask yourself: Is not the fact that she's kept in a box under a bed completely, wildly unbelievable? If everything you've ever thought in terms of predictability and safety is taken away — what is left of the psyche? This is not a one-time rape or a one-time attack. This was pervasive, for years."
Even when Cameron allowed Colleen limited freedoms, like visiting her family or working as a maid, she remained paralyzed by fear. During a 1981 visit home, Colleen refrained from saying anything about her ordeal because she believed if she did, "The Company" would enact cruel vengeance on her family — exactly like Cameron said. "People always say, 'Why didn't you run away?'" Colleen said in the documentary "The Girl in the Box," according to News.com.au. "I just felt that it wasn't an option at that time."
What role did Janice Hooker play?
Janice Hooker's involvement adds another layer of horror to Colleen's story. As reported by News.com.au, Janice initially agreed to Cameron's demand for a slave, believing it would prevent him from abusing her. Over time, however, she began to see Colleen as a rival. But in 1984, after nearly a decade of complicity, Janice had a change of heart.
Consumed by guilt, Janice confessed everything to a pastor, who advised her to leave Cameron. Armed with this encouragement, Janice told Colleen that "The Company" didn't exist and helped her escape. Even then, Colleen called Cameron from a bus station payphone to say she was leaving. According to AETV, Cameron cried during the call, later describing it in court as a "hard" goodbye.
How was Cameron Hooker brought to justice?
Three months after Colleen's escape, Janice reported Cameron's crimes to the police, though she initially helped him destroy evidence. Her cooperation as a witness, in exchange for immunity, proved vital in the trial. Authorities found the wooden head box, restraints, and the signed "slave contract," all of which supported Colleen's harrowing testimony.
On Oct. 31, 1985, a jury convicted Cameron of kidnapping, rape, and sexual abuse. Judge Clarence Knight sentenced him to 104 years in prison, stating, "I consider this defendant the most dangerous psychopath that I have ever dealt with," as reported by News.com.au. "He will be a danger for as long as he is alive."
What happened to Colleen and her kidnappers after the trial?
Colleen Stan went on to rebuild her life, demonstrating remarkable resilience. She had a daughter in 1987 and celebrates her freedom annually with a beach party. "You have to learn how to live in the now, and not let that past drag you back," Colleen said, as reported by News.com.au. She also works to help other survivors of trauma, using her story to inspire hope.
Cameron Hooker remains incarcerated at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran, California. In 2014, officials denied his parole for 15 years. However, in 2021, Cameron's name resurfaced when prosecutors sought to classify him as a sexually violent predator, a designation that could keep him behind bars indefinitely. As of December 2024, according to Action News Now, a judge was expected to set a trial date regarding this designation. That part of this case is ongoing.
Janice Hooker never faced charges due to her immunity deal. She has largely avoided the public eye, leaving many to speculate on how she reconciles her years of complicity in Cameron's crimes.
What can we learn from this terrifying story?
Colleen Stan's story serves as a haunting reminder of the depths of human cruelty but also the resilience of the human spirit. Her survival and eventual triumph over unimaginable circumstances continue to inspire others, showing that even in the darkest moments, hope and healing remain possible.
References: Colleen Stan Was Kidnapped and Kept in a Box for 7 Years | Woman kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured by 'sick couple' for 7 years | Cameron Hooker, infamous "girl in the box" kidnapper, faces court hearing today
