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I Survived... Episode 01
Replies: 48
Last Post
May 15, 2009 11:08 AM
by:
r
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Posted:
Mar 31, 2008 6:58 AM
(1 of 49)
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Brandi and her friend, Liz, offer a ride to man who turns on them, stabbing Liz repeatedly and beating Brandi and then throwing her into a river. Joseph and two other men are stranded on a rocky, barren island for 13 days. And Sam and Suzanne are kidnapped by a hitchhiker who forces them to drive several hundred miles at gunpoint. Monday March 31st 9e/8c Tuesday April 1st 1e/12c (AM) |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 6:49 AM
(2 of 49)
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| I was really touched and disturbed by Brandi's ordeal. I can't believe what her and her friend went through. This ordeal left a few open questions for me though: 1) So the guy didn't have a gun - right? He said he did but in actuality he didn't - right? 2)Brandi mentioned this was a small town - after her ordeal did she realize that she may have even known this guy from town or something? 3)It said in the episode that this guy, MIchael Vaca, was caught on tip from his mother - I would like to know more about this and him. Does anybody have anymore info in regard to how he was caught and his punishment? I know he did not get the death penalty - because Brandi is such a good heart. Although this Michael Vaca guy deserves the death penalty - I personally feel he probably will suffer more living in prison the rest of his life. | |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 8:10 AM
(3 of 49)
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After watching the episode last night, I was also very interested in the details of Brandi's case. By doing some internet research, I was able to figure out that the events took place near New Philadelphia, Ohio. There is actually a wealth of articles written on the case if you search the archives of the Canton newspaper. Here is a link to find articles from 1999-2001 (the events took place in 2000): http:/ According to those articles Vaca, who is referred to mostly as Matthew and not "Michael" as it was listed on "I Survived" was turned in by his brother-in-law. Evidently after assuming Brandi was dead after throwing her in the river, he went back to the field where he killed Liz Reiser to retrieve his knife which had broken while he was attacking her. He was afraid that there might be fingerprints on it that would incriminate him. Instead of going alone he took his brother-in-law with him. He was caught within a few days later, when the brother-in-law tipped off police. In court, the prosector, Amanda Spies Bornhorst, convinced the victims' families not to seek the death penalty -- not because Vaca didn't deserve it, but because of the possibility of years of appeals. If Vaca took a plea deal and was sentenced to life in prison without parole (a 96 year sentence), there would be no way he could appeal or ever get out of prison. With a death penalty verdict, Vaca could file numerous appeals, thus dragging the familes back in court again and again for years to come. She felt the best way for the familes to be able to move on with their lives, was through the plea deal. When Vaca was sentenced, however, Bornhorst made headlines by her statements to him: (from cantonrep.com) “You will be beaten repeatedly, and you will be brutally raped,” Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Amanda Spies Bornhorst said, as she stared into Matthew Vaca’s eyes. “And you will lose every ounce of dignity you have left in your body. You will live in terror ... for every minute for the rest of your life. And when the good Lord decides to end your life, you will go to hell,” Bornhorst said. He was sentenced to 96 1/2 years in prison with no possibility for parole. He was also sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison for 15 counts of forgery stemming from a 1996 conviction. The terms are being served consecutively. Vaca would be 131. |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 8:40 AM
(4 of 49)
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| Thank you so much BartioneNC... you gave me a weatlh of information. It makes alot of sense why they decided to not pursue the death penalty. You know searching the web, in my opinion, definitely requires a "knack" and you definitly got it !! Thanks again!! | |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 10:27 AM
(5 of 49)
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I waited all week to watch this episode. Brandi was such a cute girl. She was the girl friend of my next door neighboors grandson. She used to come over to his Grandmothers and I would think she is so sweet. When it all happened, I did not connect that this was the tiny girl that came there. I had never really talked to her, my neighboor, about her grandsons girl friend so I did not connect the name. When my neighboor told me who it was I was just floored. Like I said she was the sweetest girl. We also had never met Liz Rieser, but we knew her Father. My husband had played in a band that Liz's Father would sometimes join in to. My Hairdresser went to school with Vaca and she said when it broke who he was, she said it did not surprise her, he was a real weirdo in school, and she said he used to make the hair on the back of her neck bristle. Yeah it was in New Phila, that he hitched a ride from them, at the Hollywood Video store right in front of the New Towne Mall. The other thing that was so eerie, was we moved soon after all this happened and moved to the nearby town of Dover, and the railroad tressel that Vaca threw Brandi off of, was about a 1/2 mile down from our new home, and he walked up our very street, to go home or where ever he went after doing these heinous deeds. |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 7:15 PM
(6 of 49)
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beckireiser.blogspot.com Through my tears |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 8:46 PM
(7 of 49)
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I just want to thank everyone for their continuing support and comments. My name is Brandi. And yes, I was the one in the show. I just wanted to say that the reason I agreed to do this show was because it was to be inspiring and encouraging, which is exactly what I had in mind. After this tragedy happened to myself, my family, Liz and her family, I decided to find a way to make some positive come from it. This is one way. And from the support I've had already from people and friends who have watched the episode, I know I've at least broke through and helped at least a few. I've heard from other women who have gone through similar situations who have been encouraged to hear that if I can make a positive life after that horrible event, then so can they. And I've heard from other young girls and women who have even said they have learned that if ever faced with a bad situation that they will also decide to survive and not give up if at all possible. Even if I had only heard from 1 person, in my mind, that would have made retelling my story worth it. Thank you again for all of your support!!! Brandi PS. I also wanted to say that yes, his name was actually Matthew Vaca, and not Michael Vaca, as it said on the show. Also, he was caught by the combination of his mother and brother-in-law. He did, in fact, bring his brother-in-law back to the site. However, it was his mother who called the sheriff and said "I believe you're looking for my son." And he said he had a gun. He did, however it was only a BB Gun. But we didn't realize that at the time. -- Edited by BrandiNicoleWilliamson at 04/01/2008 8:52 PM |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 10:14 PM
(8 of 49)
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Brandi, I just watched your incredible(!!!) story (which I taped on Monday night), and you are one remarkable young lady. I honestly don't think I ever could have survived something like that. You are truly amazing! The whole time I just kept hoping/praying that the b****** who did this to you was caught--and thank God he was! To have done what he did to another human being is unthinkable, beyond comprehension. I am so sorry, too, for the loss of your friend Liz. What a horror you both endured. How is Liz's family doing today? You are so brave and inspiring to have shared such an ordeal. I greatly admire your courage. Love, Annie |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 10:16 PM
(9 of 49)
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Brandi -- You are incredibly brave and I feel fortunate to have heard your story, as difficult as it was to listen to. Your experience and your words will undoubtedly comfort and provide inspiration to countless others who have had to face the unimaginable. Your story will also serve as a template for survival for those who may find themselves in the future in life and death situations. I was most moved by what you said at the conclusion of your story: "The powers of your mind -- if you let it do its job --it can do amazing things." Thank you |
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Posted:
Apr 1, 2008 10:17 PM
(10 of 49)
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| I also meant to write that it makes me so incredibly ANGRY that someone (really a monster) could do that to another human being. To have absolutely no conscience ... well, it's sickening. I am so very sorry that you had to go through that. | |
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Posted:
Apr 2, 2008 6:12 AM
(11 of 49)
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Liz's family is doing great from what I hear. Sad to say, but we've lost contact. It was a little awkward between all of us I suppose. But her mother posted a comment and a link to her own blog site. Her name on here is "ReiserMama" if you scroll up you can find it. But I do know that at least 2 of the older boys (Liz's younger brothers) are now attending college and doing well. -- Edited by BrandiNicoleWilliamson at 04/22/2008 3:06 PM |
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Posted:
Apr 2, 2008 7:53 AM
(12 of 49)
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| Brandi - I forgot to ask in my post -- what did you think about the other survival stories that accompanied yours on the show? | |
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Posted:
Apr 2, 2008 9:28 AM
(13 of 49)
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| Oh wow! I thought the other survival stories were amazing. Even having gone through my own ordeal, I think Sam and Suzanne are unbelievably brave and I look up to them a lot! I also think that what Joseph went through was terrifying. I couldn't imagine being on a deserted island and not knowing if anyone was looking for me. Not to mention actually watching a loved one passing away right in front of you and not being able to help. At least I didn't have to be witness to what happened to Liz. But what strikes me as truly being a survivor was actually in the first episode with Daryl staying alive trapped in a blizzard for 2 weeks! He had true survival skills and I commend him! | |
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Posted:
Apr 2, 2008 1:43 PM
(14 of 49)
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Brandi, I DVRed your episode and I must say it was very hard for me to listen to you speak. I cannot begin to comprehend what happened to you and your friend and I can only stand in awe at your ability to not only survive a horrendous situation, but then do your best to turn it into something positive. I am sure that your story has helped many who have gone through similar ordeals as your own, and given those who have not gone through something of this magnitude perspective when they are worrying about so many insignificant things. I know that it has made me look at things with a new perspective, and I can only thank you for having the courage to relive these events again, on national television no less. Your story is a testament to your will to live and the retelling of your story tells volumes about your character and determination to make some good out of all the bad. Thank you for that. Sincerely, Noah |
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Posted:
Apr 2, 2008 4:30 PM
(15 of 49)
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Brandi, I had emailed Robyn of the "I Survived" staff to compliment them for the good job they did. I told her that your ordeal touched me very much. I asked her to tell you that and she directed me to this posting site. Let me say that though our ordeal was terrifying, it did not reach the level of yours. I found several things you said that struck a chord. I too spent a lot time trying to get Eizember to think of as people with a family with children and grandchildren. The funeral we had attended was for my young nephew the son of one of my brothers. I also worried that we would be killed and our bodies may not be found for a long time leaving our family in the dark about what happened to us. I am glad you are healing by helping others. I don't think that people who have not been though what you have been through know how difficult it is to cover the wounds with a healing poultice. People kept telling us we were heroes, but we were just two people trying to survive the best way we could. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about what happened. One reason for that is that I pray for Scott Eizember every day that he will become God's man before he dies--and he is on death row in Oklahoma. I hope that you will be blessed and that God will continue to give you a healing in your life. You are a special survivor. Sam Peebles of Sam and Suzanne |
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