Hoover Park assault victim speaks out

APPLETON - It was a brutal attack that gained national attention on America's Most Wanted. It's a day "Heather" says she will never forget.

"Everything, every day, the emotional roller coaster I have been on, physically and emotionally has been very hard," she said.

Heather was stabbed more than 20 times at Appleton's Hoover Park nearly 13 years ago.

"I was a very free spirited person before that and that was taken away from me the moment I was stabbed," she said.

Thursday, Heather spoke at a news conference in support of legislation by State Rep. Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna. The proposal would repeal the six-year statute of limitations on first-degree sexual assault. With a few exceptions, it's likely the person who stabbed Heather may never have to face prosecution for the crime if he is caught.

• Click here to read the proposed bill

"I get mad, I get sad, I get frustrated just going through it pretty much every time I meet with the detectives to help them, just to go through things it starts all over again," she said.

"It is only because she had tremendous courage that night that she is alive today. If she had been a person of less will she would not be here today it was that close," said retired Appleton police detective Randy Cook.

Cook worked the Hoover Park case from 1999 until he retired in 2007. He's still hoping the person responsible is caught and is happy Heather is moving on with her life.

"I just think she is a wonderful person and I am so thrilled that she has taken as much control as she can to get her life together and not let this beat her down," Cook said.

"I just feel it is important for other victims to move on with their lives and know that justice was served to someone who attacked them," said Heather.

Still Heather says she'll keep fighting for the truth.

"It took about 10 years for me to regain my spirit but it's not the same and never will be because I think about this every day," she said.

Hoping as time has healed her physical wounds; it will also help identify her attacker.

"I hope it could be solved, even if not to put him behind bars, but just to know who did it and get some closure," she said.