Podcast Summary: "A Morning Run" – The Knife: A True Crime Podcast
Introduction
In the gripping episode titled "A Morning Run" of The Knife: A True Crime Podcast, hosts Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton delve into the harrowing true story of Darun Henry, a personal trainer, influencer, and mother of two from Toronto, Canada. Released on March 27, 2025, this episode unravels the traumatic experience Darun endured during a seemingly ordinary jog in a local park, exploring the profound impact of crime on her life and the broader community.
Background of Darun Henry
Darun Henry's past is marked by resilience and overcoming adversity. Born in Iraq as a Kurdish refugee, Darun faced significant hardships early in life. She recounts, “I lost my brother. My brother was killed by a landmine when I was five, so I was a refugee until we came to Canada at the age of seven or eight” (03:10). Despite a challenging upbringing, Darun transformed her struggles into strengths, becoming an online fitness coach and dedicated mother. Her journey of personal development led her to empower other women, emphasizing that “regardless of what you've been through, that you can become the best version of yourself” (03:10).
The Day of the Assault
September 15, 2021, was a day like no other for Darun. Having recently moved to a new home in Brampton, a suburb of Toronto, she began her routine jog at Massey Park around 9:50 AM. On this day, Darun was not only exercising but also creating content for her social media followers, setting up her tripod and jump rope to capture engaging fitness posts (05:08).
The Assault Incident
As Darun approached the end of her workout around 11:00 AM, she noticed an elderly man accompanied by a suspicious individual dressed entirely in black—wearing sweatpants, a hoodie, and a mask—a rare sight given the warm September weather. Darun observed, “[he] was walking very slowly behind the elderly man... it was pretty warm day... unusual to see somebody dressed... fully covered and also, like, wearing a Covid mask” (06:02).
While stretching, Darun felt a sudden pain in her hamstrings, prompting her to bend over. It was in that split second she saw the attacker through her legs, prompting her to react instantaneously. “I wasn’t scared, though. I just thought he was on a walk... I just caught him before he got too close” (08:20). The attacker’s behavior grew increasingly unsettling as he inquired about her YouTube presence and attempted to gather her personal information. Sensing impending danger, Darun realized he intended to attack her, leading her to go into immediate fight mode.
“I felt that realization, like, that moment where you're like, I'm in danger... so I have to fight” (11:47). Summoning the training from her boxing lessons, Darun delivered a punch to the attacker’s jaw, followed by additional defensive moves, including a kick to his ribs. Her quick thinking and preparedness were pivotal in thwarting the assault. “[he] was going to try and rape me... I punched him in his jaw” (12:19).
Immediate Aftermath
Darun’s decisive actions not only incapacitated her attacker but also triggered her in-the-moment survival instincts. As she screamed for help, the assailant fled the scene, leaving Darun to confront the immediate physical and emotional aftermath. “I had somebody there, like, I was able to just kind of, like, break out of that shell” (18:25). Overwhelmed by shock and fear, Darun experienced intense physical reactions, including vomiting, as she grappled with the trauma of the attack.
Viral Video and Public Reaction
Determined to seek justice and protect others, Darun recorded her attacker’s escape by capturing video evidence of him fleeing into the woods. Frustrated by the police's disinterest in her evidence, she took matters into her own hands by posting the video online. The upload quickly went viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views within days. Darun expressed her disappointment and anger: “I was so disappointed and so shocked when the police were like, no, like, we can't do anything with that” (20:04).
The viral video brought mixed reactions. While Darun faced victim-blaming and misinformation, she also received overwhelming global support, highlighting the polarized nature of public response to such incidents.
Subsequent Attacks and Identification of Attacker
Tragically, Darun’s case was not isolated. Six days after her attack, another woman was assaulted under similar circumstances in a nearby park, this time with the attacker escalating to using a knife. Through Darun’s persistent efforts and the viral exposure of her own attack, law enforcement was able to identify and charge Paul Youssef, a 19-year-old from Brampton, for both assaults. “[He] was trying to get information... now, He’s free now, and I had no idea” (39:38).
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Despite the identification and charging of Paul Youssef, the legal outcome was disheartening for Darun. In May 2024, Youssef was sentenced to four months of conditional sentence, house arrest, and two years probation—sentencing that Darun found profoundly insufficient given the severity of his crimes. “[He] got four months of house arrest... he also lives in our neighborhood” (39:38). The lack of substantial punishment left Darun feeling that the justice system failed her and her community.
Reflections and Ongoing Trauma
The assault and its aftermath left deep psychological scars on Darun. She describes experiencing intense PTSD, including constant fear and anxiety, even in safe environments. “I went through a lot of the after effects... I kept thinking, like, what if he had just knocked me out before I had turned around?” (28:02). Darun’s trauma was compounded by her previous experiences with abuse, highlighting the persistent impact of such violent encounters on a victim’s mental health.
Connection to Past Trauma
Darun’s story is further complicated by her history of being groomed by a trusted authority figure during her childhood. At age eleven, she was manipulated by her drama teacher, Greg Telenko, leading her to confront and report his inappropriate behavior years later. “This is also not my first predator... I just moved on and I forgot about it” (33:19). The re-emergence of these traumatic memories during her assault underscores the long-term effects of abuse and the challenges victims face in seeking justice and healing.
Victim Advocacy and Legal Rights
A critical revelation in Darun’s story pertains to her lack of awareness about her rights as a crime victim in Canada. Despite the existence of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, Darun was not adequately informed or supported by law enforcement. Hosts Hannah Smith and Pasha Eaton reached out to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (CRCVC) to uncover that Darun had rights to information, protection, and participation that were never exercised. “It's unfortunate, but it sounds like that you do have to be like, okay, keep asking... you just have to ask a ton of questions” (47:37). This gap in victim support highlights systemic issues within the Canadian legal framework regarding victim advocacy.
Closing Thoughts
Darun Henry’s story is a poignant testament to the enduring impact of violent crime on individuals and communities. Her courage in speaking out, despite facing both physical assault and systemic negligence, serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for better support systems for victims. As Darun emphasizes, “you have a voice... you can also punch a man in the face and survive” (41:05), her narrative underscores the resilience of survivors and the urgent need for comprehensive victim advocacy.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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Darun Henry on Overcoming Adversity:
“[I] wanted to help women, like, discover that part of themselves, regardless of what you've been through, that you can become the best version of yourself.” (03:10) -
Darun on Sensing Danger:
“I realized, oh, my God, he's going to try and rape me.” (11:38) -
Darun on Reacting Instinctively:
“I just reacted and I punched him.” (12:19) -
Darun on the Aftermath:
“I didn't sleep for maybe two weeks. I just couldn't.” (28:02) -
Darun on Legal Frustrations:
“What am I, a caged up animal? I can't even go for a walk in my neighborhood in the park where I take my kids every day?” (21:00) -
Darun Reflecting on Justice:
“It's not. It's a nightmare.” (41:00) -
Darun’s Advice to Women:
“You have a voice... you can also punch a man in the face and survive.” (41:05)
Conclusion
"A Morning Run" is a profound exploration of personal trauma intersecting with systemic shortcomings in victim support. Darun Henry's story not only highlights the immediate dangers of violent crime but also the long-term psychological and bureaucratic battles survivors face. Through empathetic storytelling and in-depth interviews, The Knife sheds light on the ripple effects of crime, advocating for better understanding and support for those who endure such experiences.