Stolen Voices of Dole Valley

Episode 4: Her Grave

Host: Carolyn Osorio
Date: September 2, 2025
Podcast: Lemonada Media | Pie in the Sky Media | KSL Podcasts

Brief Overview

This episode recounts the harrowing escape and survival of “Susan” (a pseudonym), a 20-year-old woman in 1974 who was abducted, tortured, and left for dead by a man later identified as Warren Leslie Forrest. Through survivor and investigator interviews, the podcast exposes striking failures and painful reckonings in the handling of serial predator cases in the Pacific Northwest, culminating in the crucial break that finally led police to Forrest. The narrative explores themes of survivor strength, the vital importance of being believed, trauma’s aftermath, and the devastating consequences of missed opportunities in law enforcement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Consequences of Not Being Believed

• Recap of Norma Jean Countryman’s Story:
  • Norma, a teenage girl previously abducted by the same predator, was not believed by police.
  • Her detailed account was dismissed, allowing the predator to remain free and leading to further assaults and murders.
  • Quote:
    • “For a long time I blamed myself because I couldn't make him believe me. And now I see it wasn't up to me to make him believe me. It was up to him to investigate, to take what I said at face value and leave his personal opinions aside and do his job.” (Carolyn Osorio, 01:55)

2. Susan’s Abduction and Ordeal

• Background:
  • Susan had recently moved to Clark County, was educated, independent, and working volunteer jobs (03:46-04:00).
• Initial Encounter:
  • Susan chose to walk on the sunny side of the street, almost avoiding a man she spotted but deciding to go ahead.
  • The man engaged her in conversation, claimed he was a student photographer, and offered her $10 for a photoshoot (05:14-05:33).
  • Susan described him as “friendly,” “preoccupied,” with a fair complexion and a mustache, mid-20s (06:51-07:07).
• The Van and Abduction:
  • The attacker’s blue Ford Econoline van is described in detail—cargo area, fishing poles, mattress, black metal box (07:14-08:14).
  • He stopped for beer and lured Susan off the main road and into the woods (08:21).
• The Assault:
  • Susan is attacked in the van, threatened with a knife, bound, beaten, sexually assaulted (using objects), and shot repeatedly in the chest and stomach with a dart gun (09:02-14:22).
  • Quote:
    • “He asked me if it hurt. He pulled the darts out and got out a dartboard. Told me if I was good, he’d let me go.” (Susan, 14:15)
• Psychological and Physical Torture:
  • The man uses nooses and slipknots, repeatedly strangles Susan into unconsciousness (16:02-16:30).
  • She’s undressed, stabbed, and buried alive under brush, but miraculously regains consciousness (17:03).
• Escape:
  • Susan claws her way out, bleeding, and staggers through the forest until she reaches a road (18:55-19:03).
  • Attempts to flag down motorists, finally aided by two brothers who cover her and take her to the hospital (19:20+).

3. Survivor Strength & Grit

• Susan’s Demeanor:
  • Despite severe injuries, she provides a calm, detailed account to law enforcement (27:14).
  • Quote:
    • “She just wanted to get it all out and help.” (Doug Mass, 28:14)
    • “That poor little gal will have scars the rest of her life. Not only physical, but mental scars. She went through hell and back and she's fortunate to be alive.” (Bob Songer, 29:52)

4. The Turning Point in the Investigation

• Law Enforcement’s Quick Response:
  • Susan’s precise, clear description of her attacker, his van, and the location were in stark contrast to Norma’s dismissal (30:38-31:12).
• Discovery of the Attacker’s Identity:
  • Park gate was still locked—suggesting the perpetrator had a key.
  • A Parks Department supervisor confirmed an employee with access—a man named Warren Leslie Forrest (31:23).
  • Investigators found Forrest’s van, matching Susan's descriptions, along with direct evidence (32:04-34:25).
  • Quote:
    • “It was like Christmas. We're finding evidence…She even described fishing poles on the inside of the van. This little gal was spot on.” (Bob Songer, 34:25)

5. The Arrest of Warren Leslie Forrest

• Apprehension:
  • Early-morning arrest, Forrest is subdued and acts as a calm family man (33:28-33:44).
  • Forrest’s wife protests his innocence, but physical evidence corroborates Susan’s story (34:11).
• Significance:
  • The arrest signifies not only the capture of the predator, but a reckoning with persistent investigative failures.
  • Forrest is charged while more bodies are soon discovered, indicating he is likely responsible for more victims.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)

• "For a long time I blamed myself because I couldn't make him believe me...If he had done his job, those three women would be alive and whole today."
  — Carolyn Osorio, 01:55

• "He said he'd pay $10 now—it would only take about an hour."
  — Susan (pseudonym), 05:33

• "Waking up in the back of a moving van, my arms tied behind my back, my jeans on, my sandals on...he didn’t turn around to see that I was waking up."
  — Susan, 10:34

• "He asked me if it hurt. He pulled the darts out and got out a dartboard. Told me if I was good, he’d let go."
  — Susan, 14:15

• "She had a huge bandaged head, black eye, ligature marks around her neck, bandaged up and down the arms, deep ligature marks around her wrists. And she was upright. She was conscious...trying to gasp and get her breath, but it was pretty shocking."
  — Doug Mass, 27:23

• "It was like Christmas. We're finding evidence...She even described fishing poles on the inside of the van. This little gal was spot on."
  — Bob Songer, 34:25

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Norma’s case, police disbelief & consequences: 00:26–02:30
• Susan’s background and initial encounter: 03:58–07:14
• Abduction & van description: 07:14–09:00
• Attack, sexual assault, and psychological torture: 09:02–17:03
• Susan’s escape & rescue: 17:03–23:28
• Police response & investigation (Sergeant Slider): 23:28–26:21
• Hospital interview & victim description: 26:42–30:38
• Police identify Warren Leslie Forrest: 31:12–31:37
• Suspect surveillance, arrest, and evidence uncovered: 32:04–34:25
• Cliffhanger & tease for next episode: 34:58–end

Episode Tone & Style

The storytelling is direct, empathetic, and unflinching, moving between survivor voice, law enforcement commentary, and investigative narrative. The tone is respectful, grounded in survivor testimony, and underscored by frustration at institutional failures to protect women.

Conclusion

“Her Grave” is a vivid, gut-wrenching account of both the horror endured by survivors and the missteps that allowed a predator to operate for so long. The identification and arrest of Warren Leslie Forrest, enabled by Susan’s fortitude and detailed memory, represent both a major investigative breakthrough and a somber reminder of the lives lost because other voices were ignored. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, foreshadowing further revelations about victims lost and cases left unfinished.