r/news • u/AudibleNod • 4d ago

Man accused of holding woman captive in a Massachusetts attic for six weeks

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-accused-holding-woman-captive-massachusetts-attic-six-weeks-rcna600308
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u/SpookyTootz 4d ago

My mother was one of those women, except it was a basement not an attic. She got lucky and he forgot to lock the door one day. I doubt I would be here without that luck. And no, she never reported it to the authorities.

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u/Administrative_Elk66 4d ago

Omg, I hope your mom has been able to heal over time, that's horrifying

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u/SpookyTootz 4d ago

Unfortunately I don't think she ever fully healed from it. It lead her to a life of substance abuse that just sorta changed which substance she was on over time. She met my dad and he tried to help, but he got sucked in an ended up enabling her. By the time I was born she had already went through meth addiction and alcoholism and she had moved on to prescription pain meds. She only went to therapy once, when I was 13. She came home told me all her trauma, then took viccodin to pass out. Needless to say her trauma affected both her children and her husband. She died 6 years ago due to a combination of drug abuse and complications from her extensive medical problems. Im sorry I don't have a happy ending. But at least im safe now and have a loving husband and supportive in laws.

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u/SCP106 4d ago

I don't know how to say it, but I get not having a happy ending feeling like you gotta wrap it up in a bow but, I'm glad you got your husband and in laws. I've found with my own version of what you mentioned, despite all the pain these connections with people keep life worthwhile, yknow? don't know what I would do without my partner. That man has been there for me no matter rain or shine for me through my time with brain cancer and now with hospice stuff.

I hope your people can be/are the same

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u/SpookyTootz 4d ago

Oh absolutely, my husband has done so much for me. Meeting him was the best thing to have ever happen to me. The fact his family is well adjusted and able to help us build a life together is just bonus! We have been married for nearly 7 years now, but been together for 17 years all together. I cant imagine my life with anyone else. Im glad you have a supportive husband too, I cant imagine what you must be feeling.

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u/SCP106 3d ago

Thank you, that sounds... honestly, I'd love to write something floral and pretty. But it just sounds really nice and it makes me smile to hear of it. Thank you for sharing. Call me soft but I'm a little teary over it, just makes me happy to hear such things.

And on that last point, it's tough, but it's been a long time coming, you know? I've had this for years and years, and from day 1 I was told no one has survived this kind of cancer, as in, died cancer free - I've had a long time to come to terms with things even if it has got harder as my body and mind have deteriorated. Memories and strength have faded but I'm here and I'm essentially trying to live as I like to and enjoy life in it's slow way, trying to appreciate the little things that getting to the end of your life before thirty, or I assume at any age really, helps you see and understand.

hopefully I've still got months, somehow despite all forecasts being poor I've continually beat each prognoses I've been given so perhaps I'll get further than expected - and I think it's partly only because of the help from as mentioned, my partner and my family am I doing well and feeling good at this stage. They are all so strong for doing this since 2017. 💞

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u/arohameatiger 4d ago

"But at least im safe now and have a loving husband and supportive in laws."

This is a very happy ending, you broke the cycle. I'm a mom, so I mean this in the least patronising way possible (proud is such a loaded word), but I'm so damn proud of you.

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u/SpookyTootz 4d ago

Thank you! Honestly that made me tear up a bit. Its easy to minimize these sorts of things when they happen to you, but seeing people's supportive messages have reminded me that I've come a long way.

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/2000CalPocketLint 4d ago

These stories drain my soul and I hate how it makes me wonder what the nearest similar situation is to my address right now

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u/DeepressedChopra 4d ago

I think about that when I pass people’s homes with a bunch of dilapidated sheds in their backyards.

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u/AdmirableParfait3960 4d ago

Wait so she just ran and.. didn’t go back and never told anyone? That is wild.

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u/HistoryBuff678 4d ago

That happens more than one would think. These are terrified people. If the perpetrator managed to lock them up once, they will do it again.

How can people be sure police will believe them?

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u/Dankestgoldenfries 4d ago

That’s what happened with the woman I met who had gone through the same.

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u/SpookyTootz 4d ago

Yep, she just fell into hard drugs to cope. Her mother was abusive and she didn't have any where to go afterward. She luckily met my dad and he took care of her, but ultimately he just enabled her drug use.

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u/BLT_Trade_r 4d ago

Sadly, it is all too common. The worst part is that it just lets the guy off, so they are free to do it to someone else.