Podcast Summary: Stolen Voices of Dole Valley – Episode 5: The Good-Looking Stranger

Host: Carolyn Osorio
Date: September 9, 2025
Podcast by: Lemonada Media, Pie in the Sky Media, KSL Podcasts

Overview

In this gripping episode, host Carolyn Osorio continues uncovering the chilling and largely forgotten case of Warren Leslie Forrest, a charismatic yet predatory figure suspected of abducting, assaulting, and killing young women in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s. Through survivor testimonies, official documents, and interviews with detectives, the episode examines Forrest’s background, his crimes, failings in the justice system, and the unresolved murder of Karen Wiles, who was killed at Western State Hospital while Forrest was committed there. This episode shines light on how overlooked victims and survivors are fighting for justice as authorities revisit leads in long-cold cases.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Survivor Voices and System Failure (00:02 – 03:00)

• Norma Jean Countryman’s ordeal: Norma, abducted and assaulted at 15, gave authorities a detailed description of her attacker and his van but was dismissed and not believed.
• Survivor Guilt and Blame:

  “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.” – Norma (00:35)

• Pattern Ignored: Another young woman was subsequently kidnapped and left for dead, highlighting missed opportunities by authorities that enabled the predator to continue.

2. Warren Forrest’s Background & Psychological Profile (03:37 – 06:45)

• Warren Forrest grew up in Vancouver, Washington, with a stern father and controlling mother—a household described by his first wife Sharon as “Leave it to Beaver” on the surface, but actually tightly controlled.
• Dual Nature:

  “He’s been described as charismatic and easy to talk to. In later interviews... Forrrest described himself as a loner.” – Carolyn Osorio (03:58)

• Forrest claimed to be a slow learner, but school records show he was academically and athletically successful, even earning a track scholarship.
• Enlistment After Accident: After a car accident causing harm to a pregnant woman, Forrest’s family attorney advised him to leave town, leading to his enlistment in the military.

3. Sharon Forrest’s Testimony: Life with a Double Life (04:43 – 08:49)

• Strained Family Dynamics: Sharon, Forrest’s high school sweetheart and first wife, recounted the controlling nature of his mother and feeling powerless.
• Forrest as a Husband and Father: Sharon described Warren as attentive, gentle, and anti-violence—contradicting his monstrous crimes.
• Chilling Juxtaposition:

  “He cleaned out his van, stashed Susan's belongings in his garage, and then tossed a football with the next door neighbor... and ate a TV dinner on the couch with his wife and little girls.” – Carolyn (08:14)

4. Police Investigation and Missed Justice (08:49 – 12:49)

• Police arrested Forrest after discovering a victim’s belongings in his garage.
• Forensic Findings: They found darts, an air pistol, twine, and a parks master key in his van.
• Lineup Fiasco: Due to Norma lacking her prescription glasses (never replaced by authorities), she couldn’t confidently identify Forrest, leading to his not being charged in her case.
• Institutional Apathetics:

  “I was a 15-year-old girl. I didn't know that I could ask them to get me a new pair of glasses... there was no more need for me.” – Norma (12:33, 13:25)

5. Insanity Plea and the Justice System’s Lapse (14:55 – 23:09)

• Forrest pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing a Vietnam “nervous breakdown” and trauma where he allegedly killed a child.
• Medical Opinions: Three defense-hired psychiatrists declared him criminally insane. The prosecution failed to counter with their own experts.

  “No state experts at all. An uncontested insanity acquittal.” – Former Prosecutor Denny Hunter (18:02)

• He was found not guilty by reason of insanity (23 Jan 1975) and committed to Western State Hospital—eligible for release upon doctor approval.

6. Western State Hospital: Lax Security & New Dangers (27:58 – 31:55)

• Western’s loose protocols allowed Forrest significant freedoms: personal vehicle, work unsupervised around the grounds.
• Sharon stayed in contact, visiting with their children, until she discovered Forrest’s affair with a hospital employee.
• Conditions at Western: Staff and patients indistinguishable; lackadaisical security created risk.

  “It was hard to tell the staff from the patients.” – Denny Hunter (27:58)

• Supervision failure: Even after the judge warned Forrest was a substantial danger to society, he enjoyed unfettered privileges.

7. Murder of Karen Wiles – A New Suspected Victim (32:01 – 46:29)

• Karen Wiles, a fellow patient at Western, was found murdered near Tacoma's tidal flats, showing signs of ligature strangulation and sexual assault—MO consistent with Forrest.
• Evidence Mishandled or Lost: Crucial biological evidence (swabs, hose) were lost; DNA remains inconclusive.
• Police Blocked:

  “Investigators were extremely suspicious... stymied by the staff at Western at every turn.” – Chief W.W. Parrott case summary (36:32–39:01)

• Victim Dehumanized: Wiles, a marginalized woman without family advocates, became an afterthought, her unsolved case gathering dust.

8. DNA Hopes and Investigative Frustrations (39:35 – 51:28)

• Retired detective Lindsey Wade sought new DNA testing on Wiles’ clothing and twine—results were inconclusive.
• Forrest’s Access: Worked closely with Karen in hospital kitchen; despite restriction, could have left hospital.
• Thin Line Between Patient and Predator:

  “You were found not guilty by reason of insanity for attempted murder, murder, and rape... but you can bring your car.” – Lindsey Wade (47:25)

9. Institutional Corruption and Blocking (48:04 – 49:44)

• Hospital staff failed to cooperate, hampering the original investigation.

  “My thought is, when you have some sort of corruption... why are you not releasing that information?” – Det. Julie Deer (48:32)

10. Modern Investigation & Unsolved Questions (51:28 – 53:45)

• Recent attempts to re-interview Forrest about Karen’s murder have failed.
• While circumstantial evidence aligns, physical proof is lacking, leaving the case officially unsolved.

  “There are similarities that one can’t ignore... but we have to have evidence.” – Det. Julie Deer (53:04)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On missed justice: "We found the girl's possessions out in the garage... I don't remember anything after that." – Sharon (09:41)
• On the clean getaway and keeping trophies: "They keep a trophy because they can re-fantasize and relive the event by looking at her ID, her clothing, whatever it might be." – Ret. Det. Bob Songer (10:12)
• On the insanity plea’s failings: “It was a judicial acquittal because it was uncontested... very unusual that you wouldn't refer an insanity defense to Western State for a forensic examination.” – Denny Hunter (22:10)
• On systemic apathy: “In my mind the steps that it would have taken for the suspect to transport this woman and brought her up into a county park... would have shown to me a state of mind that obviously had the intent... I was astounded.” – Ret. Sgt. Slider (23:31)
• On institutional unaccountability: "It was hard to tell the staff from the patients." – Denny Hunter (27:58)
• On the Karen Wiles investigation: “You were found not guilty by reason of insanity... but you can bring your car.” – Lindsey Wade (47:25)
• On evidence loss: "Unfortunately, this hose has been lost somewhere." – Det. Julie Deer (42:36); "The swabs... they were lost somewhere. The ME’s office never submitted them into evidence." (42:56)

Timeline of Critical Segments

• 00:02–03:00: Norma’s story recapped; survivor voices and early police failures
• 03:37–06:45: Warren Forrest’s background, high school, family, marriage
• 08:49–10:44: Forensic investigation, van search, and trophy-keeping
• 12:33–13:25: Norma’s inability to identify Forrest without glasses
• 14:55–23:09: Forrest’s insanity plea, psychiatric evaluations, judicial handling
• 27:58–31:55: Western State Hospital conditions; Forrest’s privileges and Sharon’s discovery of infidelity
• 32:01–34:39: Karen Wiles’ murder discovered, scene described, suspicion raised
• 39:35–46:29: DNA testing disappointments, discussion of missed opportunities and forensic frustrations
• 46:29–49:44: Discussion of Forrest’s access within Western, institutional corruption
• 51:28–53:45: Modern investigation updates, lack of forensic evidence tying Forrest to Karen’s murder

Conclusion

This episode reveals how systemic failures, from careless evidence handling to a lack of prosecutorial rigor and institutional obfuscation, allowed a possibly prolific predator to evade justice for decades. Through deeply personal survivor accounts and dogged investigative journalism, “The Good-Looking Stranger” highlights both the horror of what was lost and the undying persistence of those seeking closure.

Next Episode Preview

Another body is found near the site of Norma’s abduction—the past continues to haunt, as Warren Forrest’s potential release looms:

“He’s about to get out at Western State Mental Hospital. He said, it is now or never. You guys need to put this case together so we can prosecute it, or he’s going to walk.” – Ret. Detective (54:26)

If you have information about these cases, contact the Clark County Sheriff's Office tip line: 564-397-2847.