In 1977, 20-year-old Colleen Stan embarked on what she hoped would be a straightforward hitchhiking journey from Oregon to California, seeking adventure and new experiences. Her trip took a horrifying turn when she accepted a ride from Cameron and Janice Hooker, a couple who, at first glance, seemed harmless—especially since they were traveling with their child. Colleen felt a sense of safety, which tragically, was completely misplaced.
Shortly after picking her up, the couple diverted to a remote area where they forced a “head box” over Colleen’s head, marking the beginning of her nightmarish captivity that would last for nearly seven years. Cameron, a self-professed sexual sadist, subjected Colleen to relentless abuse and constructed a small coffin-like box where she was confined for up to 23 hours a day. Each night, this box was slid under the couple’s bed.
During her captivity, Cameron stripped Colleen of her identity, assigning her the name “K” and declaring, “I’m in control and Colleen no longer exists. You are now K. You are my slave,” as reported by CBS News. He also drafted a contract claiming ownership of her ‘body and soul’, which Colleen was coerced to sign.
Remarkably, after three and a half years, Colleen was permitted a visit to her family. Cameron had so deeply instilled the fear of a fictitious organization he called ‘The Company’, which he claimed would harm her family if she revealed the truth, that Colleen remained silent about her ordeal. Following the brief visit, she was recaptured by Cameron and endured another three and a half years of abuse.
The twisted reality Colleen lived in began to unravel when Janice Hooker, Cameron’s wife, confessed that ‘The Company’ was a fabrication. Empowered by this new knowledge, Colleen seized an opportunity to escape. She reached a bus station, and in a final phone call to Cameron, declared her freedom.
Janice’s role in Colleen’s escape was pivotal. She urged Colampie to maintain contact with Cameron in the hopes it might lead to his reform. However, reality proved otherwise, and three months later, Janice turned her husband into the police. She exposed not only the crimes against Colleen but also implicated him in the disappearance and presumed murder of another victim, Marie Elizabeth Spannhake, though no charges were brought regarding Marie’s case due to lack of evidence.
Cameron Hooker was eventually tried and found guilty of numerous charges, including kidnapping and multiple counts of rape, resulting in a substantial prison sentence. This story serves as a chilling reminder of the depths of human cruelty but also the resilience of the human spirit. Colleen’s ordeal and ultimate escape is a testament to her strength and determination to survive.
If you or someone you know is struggling with issues related to sexual assault, you can reach out to The National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7, or chat online at online.rainn.org.