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Survivor Escapes Serial Killer's Brutal Attack
15 Sep
Summary
- Jennifer Asbenson survived a brutal sexual assault and strangulation.
- Andrew Urdiales murdered four women before attacking Asbenson.
- Asbenson now advocates for safety education and violence prevention.
In 1992, Jennifer Asbenson, then 19, accepted a ride from Andrew Urdiales, unaware he was a serial killer. Urdiales, who had already murdered four women, abducted Asbenson, sexually assaulted her, and strangled her before placing her in his car's boot.
Asbenson managed to escape by loosening her restraints and forcing the boot open as Urdiales slowed down. She fled and flagged down a passing truck, later identifying Urdiales to the police.
Urdiales was eventually linked to eight murders across California and Illinois. He was convicted of murdering five women and sentenced to death in 2018. He died by suicide in prison later that year.
Jennifer Asbenson has become a public speaker and author, founding The 5th Warrior Foundation. She focuses on safety education, prevention, and support for victims of violence, sharing her resilience and journey of rebuilding her life.
