Mary Vincent Survives Ax Attack That Took Both Hands

*Warning: The following story is intended for mature audiences only. Reader discretion is advised.

Mary Vincent is an inspiration to anyone who hears her story. After losing both arms in an ax attack by her rapist, Vincent still managed to escape her attacker and lived to tell her story.

Mary Vincent Runs Away From Home

It was September 1978 in Nothern California and 15-year-old Mary Vincent ran away from home. She was Los Angeles bound, hopeful she’d spiral into a successful dance career. She stood on the side of the road holding a sign that read “heading south.” Mary did not realize the danger that lurked in the world or the near-death experience she would soon experience.

Lawrence Singleton was driving by that day and spotted Mary standing to the side of the road with her sign. Hitchhiking back then was obviously not a good idea as this story will soon prove, but was more accepted in those days.

Lawrence made Mary feel comfortable from the start. He was kind and Mary said that he reminded her of her grandfather. As the pair head down the roadway, Mary fell asleep. When Mary awoke, she soon noticed that Larry was traveling in the opposite direction.

Vincent Knew Something Was Fishy

Vincent asked Singleton why they were traveling in the opposite direction, but he only made excuses for why they were headed that way and continued forward.

Singleton stopped for a bathroom break in a remote area. Mary jumped out of the car to tie her shoe. At that moment, everything went black. Singleton had hit Mary in the back of the head with a sledgehammer.

Mary woke up tied in the back of the van, her arms tied to opposite sides of the walls. Singleton repeatedly sexually assaulted Mary throughout the night while she was tied up. Mary begged and begged Singleton to release her as the day approached.

If You Want to be Set Free, I’ll Set You Free

Finally, Singleton said: “If you want to be set free, I’ll set you free.”

What he did next is horrifying.

Singleton approached Mary and severed both of her arms using an ax. Atrociously painful, Mary slipped in and out of consciousness as the act occurred. When Singleton finished sawing off her arms, he tossed her out of the van. Mary tumbled down a 30-foot cliff.

Singleton likely assumed that these acts would kill Mary. He suspected that he would get away with his crimes. He also underestimated the power of a determined, pissed-off woman.

With nothing more than a will to survive, Mary managed to climb back up the hill where she eventually flagged down a passing car. That was no easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. The driver of the car drove Mary to the hospital.

Singleton Identified; Sentenced to 14-Years for Attack

Mary survived and 10-days later identified Singleton as her attacker. Singleton was charged with rape and sentenced to 14-years in prison. Vincent was awarded over $2.5 million in a settlement against Singleton but learned that she would never collect the money when Singleton revealed his health and financial situation.

Singleton Kills Roxanne Hughes; Sentenced to Death

Released on parole after serving eight years of the 14-year sentence, Singleton relocated to Florida and began dating a woman named Roxanne Hughes. In 1997, a neighbor called the police when they witnessed Singleton assaulting Hughes. When police arrived at the home, Hughes was dead. Singleton had stabbed the woman to death. Police found Singleton inside the home covered in blood. He was arrested and sentenced to die for the crime.

Singleton died of cancer in 2001.

Additional Information:

https://www.southcoasttoday.com/article/19970221/news/302219999

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Lawrence-Singleton-despised-rapist-dies-He-2886703.php