A 15-year-old girl's desperate act of chewing through ropes to escape a violent attacker in 1974 became a crucial piece in uncovering the horrific crimes of suspected serial killer Warren Forrest.
According to Fox News, Norma Countryman's harrowing survival story is now featured in a new true-crime podcast by Lemonada Media titled "Stolen Voices of Dole Valley." The podcast, hosted by Carolyn Ossorio, delves into the chilling case that has haunted Washington state for nearly five decades.
Forrest, now 76, has been incarcerated since 1974 and was convicted of murdering 20-year-old Krista Blake in 1978. In a significant breakthrough last year, he was found guilty of killing 17-year-old Martha Morrison in 1974, adding to his list of confirmed victims.
Survivor's Terrifying Encounter Reveals Killer's Methods
The attack on Countryman began when Forrest, driving a blue van, offered her a ride on a hot July day in 1974. Despite initial hesitation, the teenager eventually accepted the seemingly friendly offer from the man with piercing blue eyes.
Once inside the vehicle, Forrest's demeanor changed drastically as he held a knife to her throat and drove her to a remote location near Tukes Mountain. The attacker proceeded to hogtie her between two trees after gagging her with her own bra and taking her glasses.
Countryman, fearing for her life, spent hours gnawing through the ropes until she managed to break free. A park employee discovered her the following morning, though authorities initially dismissed her account of the attack.
Investigation Uncovers Pattern of Violence
Forrest's arrest came in 1974 after he kidnapped, raped, and attempted to murder a 19-year-old woman near Lacamas Lake. At the time of his crimes, he maintained a seemingly normal life as a Clark County Parks Department employee with a wife and two daughters.
Investigators have since linked Forrest to multiple disappearances and murders between 1971 and 1974 in Clark County. The cases share striking similarities in victim profiles, locations, and methods used in the crimes.
DNA evidence has played a crucial role in recent developments, with a 2014 examination of Forrest's air pistol revealing Martha Morrison's blood. This discovery led to his subsequent conviction in 2023.
Cold Case Team Pursues New Leads
The Clark County Sheriff's Office has recently established a dedicated cold case team focused on Forrest's potential involvement in other unsolved crimes. Modern DNA technology is being used to analyze evidence from his van, including hair and nail samples.
Jamie Grissim, believed to be Forrest's first victim, vanished in December 1971 at age 16. Her sister Starr continues to search for answers, convinced that Jamie's remains are somewhere in Dole Valley.
Despite his convictions, Forrest maintains he doesn't remember other potential crimes. Investigators suspect there could be additional victims in other states due to his military service.
Justice Remains Elusive for Multiple Victims
The investigation into Warren Forrest's crimes continues to expand as authorities reexamine cold cases using advanced forensic techniques. His known victims include Krista Blake, Martha Morrison, and potentially Carol Valenzuela, whose remains were found near Morrison's.
The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains its commitment to bringing closure to victims' families, with investigators actively pursuing new leads. The cold case tip line remains open for anyone with information about Forrest's potential involvement in other disappearances.
Norma Countryman's survival story has become instrumental in understanding Forrest's pattern of violence, though she carried the trauma of her experience for decades without therapeutic support. Her testimony serves as a crucial piece of evidence linking multiple cold cases to the convicted killer.
