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Mary Vincent

Mary Vincent is an American survivor of a 1978 violent assault who later became known as an artist and victim advocate.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mary Vincent is an American survivor of a 1978 violent assault who later became known as an artist and victim advocate. She was attacked as a teenager while hitchhiking in California, survived severe injuries, and later helped identify her attacker in court.

Early life

Mary Vincent was born in 1963 and later used the surname McGriff after marriage. Publicly available accounts describe her as a teenager from Nevada when the attack occurred.

1978 assault and survival

In September 1978, Vincent was attacked by Lawrence Singleton while hitchhiking in California. She survived catastrophic injuries, escaped from where she was left, and obtained help, making her case widely known.

Singleton was convicted for crimes related to the attack, and Vincent later testified in proceedings connected to him. Her identification of him became an important part of the legal record.

Later life and advocacy

Vincent later focused on art and victims' issues. Sources describe her as living a private life while producing artwork and speaking through her experience as a survivor.

Key facts

  • Vincent was attacked in 1978 when she was 15 years old while hitchhiking in California.
  • Her attacker, Lawrence Singleton, raped and mutilated her and left her in a ravine or ditch to die.
  • Vincent survived by climbing out and getting help from a passing motorist.
  • She later testified against Singleton and helped identify him in court.
  • In adulthood, she became an artist and victim advocate.
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Canadian context

Mary Vincent is primarily significant to Canadian readers as an internationally known survivor and victim advocate; no strong Canada-specific connection is established in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mary Vincent?
Mary Vincent is an American survivor of a 1978 violent assault who later became an artist and victim advocate.
What happened to Mary Vincent in 1978?
As a 15-year-old hitchhiker in California, she was attacked by Lawrence Singleton and left with life-threatening injuries.
Did Mary Vincent survive the attack?
Yes. She escaped, got help, and survived despite losing both forearms.
What did Mary Vincent do later in life?
She became known for her artwork and for advocacy related to survivors and victims of violence.
Where does Mary Vincent live now?
Recent reporting says she lives in Washington State with her husband.

References

  1. People — https://people.com/mary-vincent-lawrence-singleton-caught-attacker-11774713
    Supports: Recent biographical details, current residence, family, and artistic work
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Vincent_(artist)
    Supports: Birth name, year of birth, identity as artist and victim advocate
  3. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-jul-25-me-59512-story.html
    Supports: Survival story, aftermath, and later victim-rights advocacy
  4. Los Angeles Times — https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-25-ls-32048-story.html
    Supports: Attack details and later public discussion of her experience
  5. Feminist Majority Foundation — https://www.feminist.org/news/rape-victim-testifies-in-assailants-murder-trial/
    Supports: Her testimony against Lawrence Singleton and identification of him in court