Cold Case Files: "I Survived: I Have To Get Him Off Of Me"

Aired: January 24, 2026 | Host: Paula Barros

Overview

This chilling episode of Cold Case Files focuses on the harrowing stories of survival from three individuals—Jennifer in Texas, Sampson in South Carolina, and Noreena in Pennsylvania—who faced unimaginable violence and narrowly escaped with their lives. Each narrative is told in the survivor's own words, taking listeners through the visceral moment-to-moment realities of their ordeals, and highlighting the inner strength and resilience that led them to survive. The episode also provides insight into the mindset and instincts that can arise in moments of extreme danger.

1. Jennifer’s Story: The Apartment Attack

[00:48–15:59]

The Attack

• New Start in Houston: Jennifer, newly relocated to Houston, moves into what she believes is a secure apartment complex with a perimeter fence and on-duty security.
  "[I] really wanted a place that was going to be as safe and secure as possible." — Jennifer [01:35]

• Night Out and the Assault: After a night out with friends, Jennifer goes home and locks her door, only to wake up to a man on top of her, attacking her with a knife.
  "I really wanted a place that was going to be as safe and secure as possible." — Jennifer [01:35]
  "The feeling of his leg hair against my legs, that coarseness..." — Jennifer [02:27]
  "Oh, I'm being raped." [02:41]

• Desperate Fight: She realizes the man is trying to rape and kill her. When she resists, he slashes her face and throat.
  "The fight was on and it wasn’t going to stop until one of us had won and one of us had lost." — Jennifer [01:14 & 04:30]
  "My throat was cut. That was the first time that I thought, I'm gonna die." — Jennifer [06:09]

• Screaming for Help: Despite her screams waking up about 20 people in surrounding units, no one calls the police.
  "Not a single one of those people called the police." — Jennifer [04:45]

Aftermath & Escape

• Survival Instincts: After being cut, Jennifer manages to physically barricade herself in the bathroom, stemming bleeding with toilet paper. She then crawls out, fearing her attacker may still be in the apartment, but finds no one.
  "I have to get him off of me. I have to stop this. I cannot be raped and I cannot be killed." — Jennifer [04:41]

• Phone Lines Cut: Both the power and landline were cut, but Jennifer manages to reach 911 on her cell phone.
  "Please help me...cut my throat." — Jennifer (to dispatcher) [09:54]

• Trusting the Dispatcher: During a tense wait for emergency assistance, a man claiming to be a security guard tries to get Jennifer to open her door. The 911 dispatcher, Richard, wisely advises her not to open it.
  "If you don't know who this is on the other side, do not open the door." — Richard, 911 Dispatcher [12:14]

Discovery & Healing

• The Attacker Unmasked: Police and fire finally arrive. Evidence links the on-duty security guard to the attack (bloody socks, no underwear, security hat left behind, knife found).
  "The on duty security guard for my apartment complex had committed this attack." — Jennifer [14:29]

• Aftermath: Jennifer is credited by law enforcement for her fierce resistance, which both saved her life and prevented the rape. Brian Wayne Gibson, the security guard, is convicted and sentenced to 20 years.

• Bond with her Rescuer: Jennifer remains close with dispatcher Richard, who attended her wedding.
  "He saved my life and for that he will always be one of the most important people that's ever impacted my life." — Jennifer [15:59]

Notable Moment

• "Having instinct, intuition and a big heart. He saved my life..." — Jennifer [15:59]

2. Sampson’s Story: The Farming Accident

[18:49–31:37]

The Incident

• Background: Sampson describes his farming life in South Carolina and the routine of operating tractors and corn pickers.

• Trapped in a Machine: While trying to clear a jammed corn stalk from a running machine, Sampson’s hand is pulled into the rollers. "What a big dummy. Sticking my hand into this machine, rolling and operating." — Sampson [19:56]

• Failed Rescue Attempts: He tries to jam the machine, throw boots and dirt into the rollers, and even attempts to cut off his own glove, only to realize he’s cutting his own fingers. Sparks fly, and a fire breaks out.

Self-Rescue Under Fire

• Extreme Measures: With his trapped hand being burned, Sampson uses a pocket knife to amputate his own trapped fingers and eventually cuts through his forearm, enduring unbearable pain. "Each time I cut through the nerve, it was almost like I was going to pass out." — Sampson [27:02]

• Explosion and Escape: An exploding tire helps propel him out of the burning machine. Severely injured and on fire, Sampson manages to drive to the road, flagging down help.

• Help Arrives: A passing paramedic named Doug stops and provides lifesaving first aid until Sampson is airlifted.

Recovery & Reflection

• Injuries: Sampson endures multiple surgeries for amputations and severe burns. His wife's unwavering support is crucial to his recovery. "My wife...was truly the person who helped me through it." — Sampson [30:20]

• Survival Mindset:
  "I survived because I didn't want to die. I had too much to live for." — Sampson [31:37]

Notable Moment

• "My arm was in a furnace. The skin on my forearm was melting. It was just dripping like plastic." — Sampson [25:22]

3. Noreena’s Story: The School Machete Attack

[34:05–43:38]

The Attack

• School Principal’s Instincts: Noreena, an elementary school principal, is compelled by intuition to call her son shortly before seeing a suspicious man enter her school.

• Confrontation: Thinking he might be a student's grandfather, she attempts to greet him. He suddenly draws a machete and repeatedly attacks her. "That's our first encounter. And he started striking me immediately..." — Noreena [34:56]

• Protecting Others: Despite multiple blows and severe injuries to her hands, Noreena's priority is to protect her students. "I screamed three things...no...call 911...lockdown." — Noreena [36:28]

• Chaos in the Classroom: The attacker enters a kindergarten classroom and attacks children with the back of the machete. Teachers protect children and get them to safety.

Lockdown Heroics

• Repeat Attack: In the nurse's office, the attacker finds Noreena again and assaults her until, in a moment of desperation, she jumps on his back. "He was in a rage at that point... He wanted to kill me." — Noreena [39:23]

• Disarming and Detainment: Another staff member hides the weapon, and the attacker's energy visibly drains; police soon arrest him.

• Aftermath: Noreena loses significant blood, has a nearly amputated finger, and requires extensive hand reconstruction. The attacker, William Stankiewicz, is convicted and sentenced to 264 years in prison.

Resilience and Motivation

• Returning to School: Despite immense trauma, Noreena feels driven to return to her students and staff. "Once I got in there, there's no place I'd rather be. I want to stay there as long as I can. I need to be there for the children, for the adults there. I love my job." — Noreena [43:38]

• Maternal Instinct:
  "I survived also because of the maternal instinct that a mother has for children..." — Noreena [43:38]

Notable Moment

• "Those are things that don't easily disappear...to this day, that happens at school and kids are screaming, it just kind of sends chills." — Noreena [38:12]

Key Quotes & Timestamps

• Jennifer:

  • "I have to get him off of me. I have to stop this. I cannot be raped and I cannot be killed." [00:48]
  • "Having instinct, intuition and a big heart. He saved my life..." — (on dispatcher Richard) [15:59]

• Sampson:

  • "Each time I cut through the nerve it was almost like I was going to pass out." [27:02]
  • "I survived because I didn't want to die. I had too much to live for." [31:37]

• Noreena:

  • "He was in a rage at that point. He wanted to kill me." [39:23]
  • "Once I got in there, there's no place I'd rather be... I love my job." [43:38]

Memorable Moments

• Jennifer’s realization, after surviving the attack, that none of her neighbors had called the police despite her screams (04:45).
• Sampson’s self-amputation and his vivid description of the burning, the pain, and survival instincts kicking in (25:08–27:02).
• Noreena’s cool-headed decision-making under attack, orchestrating a lockdown and later physically subduing her assailant with nothing but her own resolve (36:28–41:32).

Episode Structure & Flow

• [00:48–15:59]: Jennifer’s story—apartment attack, fight for survival, and the discovery of the attacker’s identity.
• [18:49–31:37]: Sampson’s farming accident—his grueling self-rescue amid a harrowing barnyard inferno.
• [34:05–43:38]: Noreena’s account—school machete attack, instinctive courage, and the subsequent recovery.

Conclusion

This episode of Cold Case Files starkly illustrates the strength and determination of ordinary individuals when confronted with the worst humanity has to offer. The survivors' voices are raw, honest, and inspiring—offering hope, warning, and guidance for anyone who might find themselves in crisis. The tone throughout the episode is intimate and detailed, letting listeners experience these events through the eyes and emotions of the survivors themselves.