Cold Case Files — "I SurVIVED: We're Going To Fight With Everything We Have"

Podcast: Cold Case Files (A&E / PodcastOne)
Host: Paula Barros
Date: December 13, 2025

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of Cold Case Files presents two harrowing survival stories—one of a vicious mountain attack in Colorado, and one of a catastrophic shipwreck in Mexico. Through first-person accounts, the survivors recount their determination to fight for their lives against all odds. Their stories, full of suspense, trauma, and resilience, illustrate the depths of human courage and the will to live.

Main Story 1: Attack on Signal Mountain, Colorado

Setting the Scene (02:10)

• Nina and Kim, sisters-in-law, take an early morning hike in September 2009 near Kim’s cabin in Signal Mountain, Colorado.
• Kim has a history of knee trouble and brings a walking stick for protection, as advised by her husband.

The Attack (04:32)

• As they return from their hike, a man in full camouflage ambushes them.
• Kim: "All of a sudden I saw something move and I turned. Everything went to slow motion because there was something dressed in full camouflage coming at me." (04:32)
• The assailant brandishes a large knife, targeting their throats and immediately wounding Nina who had tried to protect herself.

The Struggle and Assault (05:06 – 09:12)

• The attacker holds Kim at knifepoint, while Nina, injured, tries to appease him.
• Kim remains eerily calm: "I don't even know why I remained calm because I was so nervous inside. But I kept asking him questions. Why? Why are you doing this?" (05:06)
• Nina picks up the walking stick, trying to obey orders while positioning herself defensively.
• The attacker attempts to sexually assault Kim; Nina desperately distracts him by claiming their husbands will soon arrive.

The Turning Point and Resistance (09:12 – 13:27)

• The attacker, agitated, tries to move both women off the trail and into the woods, but the women refuse.
• Nina’s pivotal moment: "We're gonna die or we're gonna live. And damned if he's gonna take that choice away from us. We're gonna fight with everything we have." (02:02, repeated sentiment at 12:56)
• With a silent signal, both women agree to fight back. Nina swings the walking stick, giving Kim a chance to escape the assailant's grip.

Escape and Aftermath (13:54 – 15:34)

• The attacker briefly pursues, but after a tense standoff, flees.
• Both women run for their lives, despite Nina’s Achilles tendon injury, refusing to stop until reaching safety.
• At the cabin, their families mistakenly assume they were attacked by an animal; the truth quickly sets in.

Investigation and Justice (15:54 – 19:03)

• Police quickly set up roadblocks but initially let a key suspect go.
• Nine days later, Kim and Nina identify their attacker, James Bondsteel, in a dramatic in-person lineup.
• Nina on the identifcation: "Absolutely no doubt in my mind, the minute he said those words and I saw those eyes again...it’s him." (18:04)
• Bondsteel is found to have attacked other women; he’s ultimately convicted of six sexual attacks and sentenced to 134 years in prison.

Reflections on Survival (19:03 – 19:42)

• Kim: "I survived because I kept my wits about me. We stayed calm and we waited for an opportunity to make the escape happen." (19:03)
• Nina: "We were not going down without a fight. The alternative just was not acceptable." (19:14)

Main Story 2: Shipwreck in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico

Setting the Scene (23:04)

• In July 2011, Mike and Charles join a fishing trip with friends on the vessel "Erik," a 115-foot mothership with several smaller "panga" boats.

Disaster Strikes (24:54 – 26:37)

• A sudden storm causes the boat to list dangerously. Windows shatter, lights go out, and passengers scramble to escape.
• Charles: "The wall became the floor, and the boat had listed 90 degrees...the boat was sinking." (25:24)

The Sinking Ship (27:34 – 28:10)

• Amid chaos, Charles is washed overboard without a life vest, clinging to a cooler.
• Charles: "One minute I was laying there listening to Louis Armstrong, and within four minutes I was in the ocean fighting for my life." (28:14)
• Mike and other survivors jump into the dark, fuel-covered water.

The Fight for Survival (29:53 – 33:54)

• Survivors form groups, tie together coolers, and attempt to focus on survival and teamwork.
• Hope comes with dawn, but rescue seems distant.
• Charles is given a life jacket by his friend Glenn, leading to renewed determination.

Swimming for Land, Facing Despair (34:53 – 38:47)

• Huge currents separate swimmers. Some make for a visible island, others are lost.
• Mike tries to reach land but realizes it's futile and fights to rejoin his friends, fearing for Les, who disappears.

Rescue and Loss (39:52 – 42:30)

• Charles, pushed by miraculous waves, drags himself onto an island, joining another survivor, Rich.
• Mike and Jerry are eventually rescued by fishermen, but Les is gone.
• Emotional reunions occur, but seven men—including Mike's cousins—are never found.
• Mike: "To this day, I survived because we worked together as a team. Jerry, myself, and Les. I survived with the help of God and the hope that he gave us through our struggles.” (42:30)
• Charles: "I survived because of the goodness of other people and the grace of God." (42:55)

Key Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kim: "We're back in the middle of nowhere. This man is dressed in full camouflage. He has a big, sharp, shiny knife at my throat." (01:26, 05:43)
• Nina: "We were not going down without a fight. The alternative just was not acceptable." (19:14)
• Charles: "It was amazing how fast it happened. One minute I was laying there listening to Louis Armstrong and within four minutes I was in the ocean fighting for my life." (01:37, 28:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:10 — Introduction to Colorado hiking attack
• 04:32 — Assault begins
• 09:12 — Kim and Nina’s coordinated resistance
• 13:27 — Escape
• 15:54 — Police response, suspect encounter
• 17:00 — In-person suspect lineup
• 18:26 — Discovery of attacker’s other crimes
• 19:03 — Reflections on survival
• 23:04 — Sea of Cortez fishing trip
• 24:54 — Storm and sinking ship
• 28:14 — Overboard, first-person chaos
• 32:46 — Dawn, surrounded by water
• 33:54 — Gift of a life vest
• 38:47 — Les goes missing
• 39:52 — Charles makes island landfall
• 41:30 — Emotional rescue and survivor reunion
• 42:14 — Losses confirmed, final survivor statements

Tone and Language

The episode's tone is intense and engrossing, driven by the survivors' raw voices and emotional recollections. The storytelling weaves suspense and hope, highlighting both the terror of near-death experiences and the power of resilience.

Summary

This episode of Cold Case Files is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of violent crime and natural disaster. The bravery of Kim and Nina, vowing to fight back against a brutal attacker, and the resourcefulness of Mike and Charles amidst an unexpected shipwreck, stand as moving examples of survival, teamwork, and determination when confronted with the unimaginable.