A teenager’s heroic attempt at saving themselves might have revealed an extremely dangerous criminal from Washington many years ago.
Before Warren Forrest’s crimes were solved, a little girl spent a scary night in the woods, which almost cost her her life. Chained, bruised, and forsaken, she took an eerie decision: tear apart the chains or perish attempting it. What she did not realize at the time was that her tale would turn into a chilling part of a bigger nightmare.
Years ago, Warren Forrest, the double murderer, spread terror throughout Washington. A newly released true crime podcast titled “Stolen Voices of Dole Valley” uncovers the criminal activities and the few survivors who barely managed to escape from the perpetrator’s clutches. Norma Countryman, one of the survivors, recently revealed the horrifying experience that nearly took her life, along with her story of how sheer determination kept her alive.
Forrest was born in 1949 in Vancouver, Washington, where he lived an ordinary life. In high school, a track team captain went on to serve in the Vietnam War and then married his childhood sweetheart in 1969. He was employed by the Clark County Parks Department while raising two children in Battle Ground. . Behind the picture of normality was a dangerous creature.
On October 2, 1974, his facade of respectability shattered when he was apprehended for kidnapping, rape, and attempted murder. Forrest tricked a young lady into thinking she was going for a photo shoot, but instead, he hurt her badly in a park by hurting her and stabbing her many times until she died alone.
Despite every obstacle, she managed to live and provided officers with details about Forrest and his distinctive blue Ford van. A quick examination linked him to the assault and revealed his history of aggression. Detectives soon connected him to another case involving the abduction of 15-year-old Norma Countryman from earlier in the summer.
Norma remembered clearly the hot July day of 1974. She took a ride in a blue van because she wanted to avoid problems at home. He appeared composed, albeit charmingly so, yet his manner changed as soon as she entered. Forrest snatched a knife, stuffed it down her throat with her bra, and secured her between two trees in a remote spot, leaving her petrified and isolated. He took her glasses, making it hard for her to see what was around her.
As darkness descended, Norma saw her last hope for life lay in fighting fiercely. She struggled with rope work until her lips were bleeding, then she chewed through it. Hours stretched by in eerie stillness; she stood motionless, paralyzed with fear, knowing Forrest lurked nearby. In the morning, she escaped and found a park helper who assisted her.
The burning rope on her face revealed a harsh tale — yet when officers showed up, they brushed aside her testimony. Disbelief turned out to be fatal for Forrest, who later claimed additional victims.
Norma bore the marks of that night for many years, both physically and emotionally. Without help or praise, she lived in fear of what happened. Years after the events took place, it was revealed that Forrest had committed terrible deeds.
Warren Forrest was convicted for the murder of Krista Blake in 1978 and, many years later in 2023, was also found guilty of killing Martha Morrison back in 1974. Authorities continue to investigate other unresolved cases, including the suspicious death of Carol Valenzuela, to see if Forrest played a role.
Conclusion
Norma Countryman’s story serves as a chilling reminder of how narrowly she escaped becoming another victim on Warren Forrest’s long and tragic list. Her survival, born from incredible courage and determination, was one of the first signs revealing the true nature of a man who managed to deceive those around him for years.
While Forrest now remains behind bars, survivors like Norma—and the families of his victims—persist in their fight for truth, justice, and recognition of the pain he caused. Their voices stand as a lasting testament, ensuring that the dark chapter of Forrest’s crimes will never be forgotten.