In 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent, a runaway from Las Vegas, was hitchhiking in California when she accepted a ride from 50-year-old Lawrence Singleton on September 29. Singleton raped her, severed both of her forearms with a hatchet, and threw her off a 30-foot cliff into a…

— F🔥 V🔥 (@FredrikWiktorss) February 20, 2025

In 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent, a runaway from Las Vegas, was hitchhiking in California when she accepted a ride from 50-year-old Lawrence Singleton on September 29. Singleton r*ped her, severed both of her forearms with a hatchet, and threw her off a 30-foot cliff into a culvert in Del Puerto Canyon, leaving her to die. Despite her horrific injuries, Mary managed to climb back up the embankment, pack her wounds with mud to slow the bleeding, and walk nearly three miles naked to find help. She was discovered by a passing couple who took her to a hospital, where she survived after losing half her blood. Mary provided a detailed description of Singleton, leading to his arrest and conviction. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison—the maximum allowed at the time—but served only eight years before being paroled in 1987. Later, in 1997, Singleton murdered another woman, Roxanne Hayes, in Florida, and Mary testified against him again, contributing to his death sentence. He died of cancer in prison in 2001. Mary's survival and resilience led to changes in California law, including the "Singleton Bill," which mandates a minimum 25-year sentence for crimes involving torture. She later became an artist and victims' advocate, living with prosthetic arms she customized herself.

In 1978, 15-year-old Mary Vincent was r*ped, had her arms cut off, and was thrown off a 30-foot cliff.

Barely alive, she packed her stumps with mud to stop the bleeding, climbed back up, and walked three miles naked to find help.

She began using prosthetic arms within two… pic.twitter.com/1RCXdripGl

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) February 20, 2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Singleton