It’s no secret that we live in dangerous times. Today, children can’t go to the park or walk to school without parents worrying every second. Women can’t commute home from work without worrying about what could happen to them alone in the dark. Back in the ’70s, however, people could exist more freely. Even hitchhiking, something we’d never do today, was common practice. In that era, woman’s independence was also a hot-button topic as feminism quickly spread across the nation. Despite that, some men chose to denounce these advancements in gender equality. The story of Colleen Stan is proof that some people railed against women’s empowerment back then just like some do today, and in an instant, one man stripped her of her agency and all but ruined her life. Colleen Stan was just 20 years old when she was hitchhiking her way to a friend’s birthday party near Reading, California. The young woman was a self-described hitchhiking pro. Inside Edition Read More: 14 Of The Craziest Murder Motives You’ll Ever Hear After letting two cars pass her by, Stan finally accepted a ride offered by Cameron Hooker, his wife Janice, and their eight-month-old baby. Inside Edition After pulling off the highway and finding a secluded area, Hooker pulled a knife on Stan and threatened to kill her if she didn’t comply with his demands. The kidnapper locked Stan in a wooden head box which prevented her from seeing and hearing her surroundings. Inside Edition googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot(‘/37886402/VN_PG_DCI1_BTF’, [300, 250], ‘VN_PG_DCI1_BTF_58365fe6d8eaf’).addService(googletag.pubads()) googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_MB”, “VN_”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_SC”, “VN_ORGN”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_TS”, “TS_D”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AT”, “VN_ORGN_PG_D_REV_2.0_ASYNC_DEFAULT”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_CC”, “VN_ORGN_D_UNK_118628_A”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_PG”, “1”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AN”, “1”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AC”, “OMG”); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCI1_BTF_58365fe6d8eaf’); }); Hooker and his wife agreed that he could capture a slave to help act out his BDSM fantasies. Once the Hookers returned to their home with Stan, he brutally tortured the young woman and used her to fulfill his sexual desires. Inside Edition Stan was forced to remain in a cramped wooden box for up to 23 hours a day. To endure the torture and sexual punishment, the woman believed that staying faithful to God and meeting Hooker’s demands would keep her safe. Inside Edition After Hooker expressed his desire to make Stan his second wife, Janice became paranoid and confessed the entire ordeal to a local minister. Janice would later help Stan escape her captive as well as testify against her former husband in court in exchange for full immunity. Inside Edition googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot(‘/37886402/VN_PG_DCI2_BTF’, [300, 250], ‘VN_PG_DCI2_BTF_58365fe6d902c’).addService(googletag.pubads()) googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_MB”, “VN_”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_SC”, “VN_ORGN”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_TS”, “TS_D”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AT”, “VN_ORGN_PG_D_REV_2.0_ASYNC_DEFAULT”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_CC”, “VN_ORGN_D_UNK_118628_A”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_PG”, “1”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AN”, “1”); googletag.pubads().setTargeting(“NOVA_AC”, “OMG”); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.display(‘VN_PG_DCI2_BTF_58365fe6d902c’); }); Cameron Hooker was arrested and in 1985, he faced trial for his crimes against Stan. Once the verdict against Hooker was in, he was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to 104 years in prison. Inside Edition For more about Colleen Stan, “The Girl in the Box,” check out this interview with the woman nearly 30 years after her horrific kidnapping. var _informq = _informq || []; _informq.push([’embed’, ‘ndn_58365fe6d80b9’]); Her story […]
After suffering severe trauma to her head, this street dog in India crawled into a garden, ready to die. Luckily for her, though, rescuers from Animal Aid Unlimited were notified of her condition. They naturally leapt at the opportunity to save the poor girl’s life. But when they got there, they realized just how hurt she was. They quickly brought her back to their facility, but after two weeks passed without much improvement, the concern of permanent brain damage or death was very real. But then, at the three week mark, something happened that brought tears to our eyes… We should warn you, the video does contain graphic images. Thanks to these heroes, Happy now runs around free, safe, and yes, happy! If you’d like to help support their work and save more dogs in need, please consider donating today. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/street-dog-recovery/
It’s been nearly 15 years since the World Trade Center towers were attacked by terrorists. The events of September 11, 2001, were horrifyingly tragic. When the towers fell and innocent people were killed, it changed the lives of countless people both in the United States and abroad. The attacks created a moment in time that can never be forgotten. Most U.S. citizens, no matter their age, can distinctly remember what they were doing when the planes hit the towers. Many people were at work, school, or just getting ready to leave for the day. The NYU student that filmed this video will certainly never forget exactly what happened. Watching the violence and chaos on television was traumatizing enough, but imagine being a young student in the city, close enough to clearly see the towers. In the video, you can hear their frightened reactions and panicked calls home. This is a perspective that not many people have seen of the 9/11 attacks. The video that Caroline filmed may be hard to watch. Many remember only the news reports, but this video gives more weight to the terrible tragedy. (via KISS 107) The people that lost their lives that day will never be forgotten, and this rare perspective of the terrorist attacks reminds us to more fiercely honor their memories. Years may desensitize people to what really happened, but this video shows us the horror and truth of that fateful day. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dorm-room-911-video/
The truth is, sharks have very little interest in being seen by humans, but one in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, couldn’t help but enjoy a close-up. A father and his daughter were testing out their new GoPro at Papamoa Beach, when suddenly a shark came dangerously close, swimming right next to them. (via Daily Mail) According to the comments on YouTube, the man filming was actually even hit by the shark! I know GoPro’s slogan is “Be a Hero,” but this might be too much to ask of the poor guy on his first day of owning one. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/shark-gopro/
On the coast of the Red Sea lies one of the world’s most infamous scuba locations, and it’s known locally as the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is an underwater sinkhole that goes down about 96 meters (or 314 feet). It’s a popular spot for free diving, but it’s also earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous locations in the world. Despite regulation by authorities, about two divers per year are defeated by the sinkhole. The most famous death at the hole happened when diving instructor Yuri Lipski got lost back in 2000. Lipski foolishly decided to dive to the bottom of the hole on his own. Wikipedia He managed to reach a depth of 304 feet. However, at this depth, nitrogen narcosis began to impact his mental state, causing him to become disoriented. Wikipedia Once he realized that he would not be able to escape, Lipski removed his oxygen mask and quickly perished. Wikipedia When a diver was sent to retrieve Lipski’s body, they discovered that he had brought a video camera down with him. The camera attached to his helmet ended up recording the entire ordeal — including the moment of his death. The video below is not for the faint of heart. (via Reddit) That poor guy. I can’t even imagine how horrible his final moments must have been. Let this be a reminder to bring a buddy with you when you’re doing anything risky, no matter how skilled you are. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/yuri-lipski/
Just ask any firefighter and they’ll tell you that magnesium fires are no joke and they can lead to some serious injuries and destruction of property. Magnesium is a combustible metal that’s becoming more and more common in our everyday lives. Typically, there is not enough magnesium in our devices to pose a threat, but when you get enough of it in one spot, accidents can happen. That’s when magnesium fires start. Fighting these blazes is extremely difficult because you cannot use water to extinguish them. In fact, water just makes them worse. Magnesium fire burns so hot that it actually causes water molecules to break into their component elements, which can then combust. As a demonstration, I present to you the St. Louis Fire Department trying to extinguish a magnesium blaze. (source: Firefighter 911) Well, that is absolutely terrifying. Now I’m doubly uncomfortable with the fact that I live so close to an industrial park. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/magnesium-fire/
People getting high isn’t exactly new. In fact, it’s nearly as old as time. That being said, if you thought contemporary drugs were bizarre, you’ll be pretty stunned when you see the crazy nonsense people used to do back in the day for a little lift. 1. U.S. soldiers used their guns to smoke weed. During the Vietnam War, soldiers often made makeshift bongs out of their guns. They also tried to get high on C-4, but they stopped when too many soldiers got sick. 2. Using laughing gas for anything but surgery. Wikipedia When laughing gas was first invented, it was seen as a gag and was used at house parties to get people laughing and having a good time 70 years before it was ever used in medicine. 3. Cannibalism. Yes, cannibalism. Wikipedia Throughout history, people have gotten spiritual highs on human flesh. Gross, right? From Mayans to Romans, plenty of people have chowed down on their brethren. Leonardo da Vinci was even on board! 4. Ladies who added cocaine to their tampons were high as kites. Wikipedia Because medicine has always been a patriarchal mess, doctors paid little to no mind to women’s ailments. To remedy that pesky period pain, they recommended that women throw some cocaine on their tampons before inserting them. Great idea. 5. Eating mold and riding brooms. British Museum Housewives during the Middle Ages got high by brewing ergot, which is a form of mold that grows on rye. In fact, the high they got from it was so strong that they felt like they were flying. That’s why we associate images of women flying on brooms with witchcraft! (via Cracked) Say no to drugs, friends. Getting high isn’t worth it…especially when it calls for eating human flesh. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/high-on-history/
When it comes to ghost hunting, the most interesting spirits to track down are the angry ones. Sure, they might be capable of injuring you, but they also tend to be the most active. Take, for example, this footage from the 3 Girls In The Dark paranormal team. The group explored the famous Villisca Murder House in Iowa late last year and captured some bizarre footage. In 1912, the house was the site of a brutal murder that left all six members of the Moore family and their two young guests dead. It was after midnight when one member of the team recited the phrase that evidently inspired Reverend Lyn George Kelly to commit the murders. After the women said the phrase aloud, one of their cameras started shaking violently. That ghost wanted nothing to do with being taunted by the living. (source: Ghostsofbritain) It’s worth noting that even though Kelly confessed to the murders in 1917, he was never actually convicted. His case went to court twice, and both times, he was acquitted. The murders remain officially unsolved to this day. You can read more about the Villisca axe murders here. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/angrier-ghost/
Based on this video, I know one dog that’s getting an extra biscuit tonight. Even when this autism service dog is playing outside with the family, the intelligent pup is on high alert. When the child with autism started running toward the street, his canine companion sprung into action to ensure that he didn’t get hurt. Check out the quick-thinking pooch’s skills in the video below! Now that’s one seriously good dog. We often underestimate animals’ abilities, but videos like this one prove that we need to give so much credit to the brilliant service animals that keep millions of people happy and safe around the world. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/dog-saves-boy/
The unlucky guy who captured this bizarre footage will definitely never forget what he saw. While visiting what appeared to be a beautiful, serene cemetery, the cameraman in question decided to head out through a passageway that led to a beautiful view of the sea. When he panned to the left, however, he saw what looked like a trash heap full of coffins. The worst part? There were human bones scattered on the ground. I’m not familiar with the ways in which you should dispose of bodies, but I feel like throwing corpse-filled coffins into a giant pile probably isn’t the most respectful course of action. Read more: http://www.viralnova.com/graveyard-garbage/
