Teen chewed through ropes to escape suspected serial killer

Warren Forrest: The Making of a Monster

For decades, convicted double murderer Warren Forrest terrorized Washington. Now, survivor Norma Countryman is sharing her harrowing story — and how she escaped.

Born in 1949, Forrest seemed ordinary: a high school track captain, Air Force veteran, husband, and father. But beneath the surface, he was hiding dark urges. In 1974, he was arrested after attacking a 20-year-old woman he lured under the pretense of a photoshoot. She survived and helped identify him, leading to his arrest.

That same year, Norma Countryman also encountered Forrest. On a hot July day, she accepted a ride from a man in a blue van. Once inside, Forrest pulled a knife, drove her to a remote area, tied her to trees, and left. Through sheer will, Norma chewed through her restraints and survived the night — but police didn’t believe her. Two more women were later murdered.

Forrest was convicted of Krista Blake’s murder in 1978 and, in 2023, was found guilty of killing Martha Morrison. He remains a suspect in other cold cases.

Now featured in the podcast Stolen Voices of Dole Valley, Norma’s story highlights survival, injustice, and the ongoing fight for answers.