In November 1984 , at the age of 17,Lisa McVeyNoland was ride her bike home from body of work in Tampa , Florida , when she was nobble by a serial killer .
But Noland did n’t just survive the coming upon ; she helped police identify the military personnel responsible for .
Lisa McVey’s Abduction and Escape
rag her wheel home from work one nighttime at 2:00 a.m. , Lisa McVey Noland was abduct by a humanity who would later turn out to be Tampa Bay region serial grampus Bobby Joe Long .
" I was snatched off my bicycle , ” Noland toldThe Independent . “ I thought it was three people . It was that straightaway . ” work alone , Long forced Noland into his van , blindfolded her and strike her to another location where he tortured and raped her .
Noland was able to convince Long to let her go by gaining his sympathy — she pretended to be the caretaker of a pallid parent — and offer to be his secret lady friend .
“ I was like , ‘ mind , you seem like a nice guy , after everything I ’ve been through , ’ ” she told The Independent . “ We can be together . I could be your girlfriend . No one has to know how we met . ”
After 26 hours under Bobby Joe Long ’s control , Noland was released near her nan ’s house .
How Lisa McVey Helped Catch Her Abductor
Lisa Mcvey Noland did more than escape from aserial killer ; she also act an subservient role in catch the homo who abducted her , Bobby Joe Long . Here ’s how she did it .
Adjusting Her Blindfold
Long kept Noland blindfolded throughout the abduction , but she was able to loosen the blindfold by clenching her jaw every time Long move out the blindfold and put it back on .
When she relaxed her jaw , the blindfold would be loose enough for her to mark certain contingent , like the word " magnum " on the fascia of Long ’s fomite , which helped constabulary identify the car as a 1978 Dodge Magnum .
Memorizing Details
After Noland see the word " magnum , " she sense motivated to keep track of other details . " From that point on , I read whatever I see , smell , or feeling , I ’ve got to retrieve it . I ’ve got to keep it in mymemorybank , so that if I get out of this , I can go to the bull and give them everything I ’ve got in terms of evidence , ” Noland told The Independent .
This included details about her whereabouts ( such as the direction they get , the number of stairs lead to the location where she was take and the time at which he used an ATM ) and what the kidnapper reckon like . ( Through her relax blindfold , she saw that he was snowy and get into a white T - shirt ; when she touched his aspect , she noticed his small mustache and short pilus . )
Leaving Evidence
In addition to her observation , Noland also decided to leave her own evidence for the law to find . She lead fingerprints all over the privy and her used tampon in Long ’s vehicle for futurecrime scene investigatorsto find .
What Happened to Bobby Joe Long?
Noland work with Tampa police for 12 days to serve them identify and watch Bobby Joe Long . Long ’s connection to a string of homicides in the region was made clear when cherry-red carpet fibers chance on Noland ’s clothing match those of homicide dupe .
She told them her abductor had stopped to use an ATM around 3 am . Around the same time investigators name Long as the owner of a Dodge Magnum ( matching Noland ’s description ) , they obtained bank records that show Long had used the ATM near his flat around 3 am .
Arrest, Charges and Sentences
Police arrested Long less than two weeks after he nobble Noland . In 1985 , Long pleaded guilty to eight murders ( he eventually confessed to 10 murders and multiple sexual assault ) .
Long was charge with eight counts of kidnapping , eight counts of first - level slaying and seven enumeration of sexual assault and battery . Long received multiple life-time sentences and two death sentences .
Long’s Other Victims
Long ’s known victims included :
There were only two confirmed subsister of Long ’s crime : Noland and Linda Nuttall , both of whom were present at Bobby Joe Long ’s carrying into action by lethal shot in 2019 .
Lisa McVey Noland Now
“ It ’s very empowering for me to be able-bodied to utter with other women and say , ‘ Hey , this too shall turn over . You ’re going to be okay . We ’re going to get through this together . I ’ll hold your hand , ’ ” Noland separate The Independent .
Noland attend the Police Academy and joined the Hillsborough County Sheriff ’s Office in 1999 , where she specialized in combating sexuality crimes , and works as a middle school resource officer and motivational speaker .
Noland ’s story is feature in :
