The Shadow of a Predator
In the quiet towns of Northern California during the 1970s, a sinister presence lurked behind the facade of an ordinary life. Cameron Hooker, a lumber mill worker with a chilling obsession, orchestrated crimes that shocked the nation. His actions left a trail of trauma, with the case of Marie Elizabeth Spannhake, known as Marliz, remaining an agonizing mystery to this day. Despite his conviction for the abduction and torment of Colleen Stan, questions about Marlizâs fate and Hookerâs potential release continue to haunt those seeking justice. This article delves into the harrowing details of Hookerâs crimes, the unresolved disappearance of Marliz, and the looming possibility of his freedom.
The story begins with a seemingly innocuous encounter on January 31, 1976, when 18-year-old Marliz Spannhake vanished from Chico, California. After an argument with her boyfriend at a flea market, she decided to walk home along Mangrove Avenue, never to be seen again. Years later, Janice Hooker, Cameronâs wife, provided a chilling account of Marlizâs fate, alleging that the couple abducted, tortured, and murdered her. Yet, without a body or physical evidence, the case remains unsolved, leaving Marlizâs sister, Martha, and others desperate for closure. Meanwhile, Colleen Stanâs seven-year ordeal at the hands of the Hookers offers a grim window into their depravity, raising questions about what else they may have done. Hookerâs ability to evade charges for Marlizâs disappearance, combined with his potential eligibility for parole, underscores the complexity of this case. As we explore the depths of his crimes, we aim to provide a comprehensive resource for those seeking answers about Marliz, Colleen, and the man who shattered their lives.
A Predatorâs First Strike
Marie Elizabeth Spannhake, affectionately called Marliz, was a vibrant 18-year-old who had recently moved from Cleveland, Ohio, to Chico, California, to start a new life with her fiancĂ©, John Baruth. On January 31, 1976, after a disagreement at a local flea market, Marliz chose to walk home alone. She was last seen near Mangrove Avenue around 4:00 p.m., her green eyes and brown hair etched into the memories of those who knew her. According to Janice Hookerâs 1984 confession to the Red Bluff Police, she and Cameron spotted Marliz walking and offered her a ride in their blue 1970s Dodge Colt. Marliz accepted, unaware of the horror awaiting her. Janice claimed that as Marliz attempted to exit the car at her destination, Cameron grabbed her wrist, forcing her back inside. A specially crafted wooden âheadboxâ was placed over her head, designed to muffle screams and restrict movement. The couple then drove her to their home in Red Bluff, where the nightmare escalated.
Janiceâs account paints a gruesome picture of Marlizâs final hours. At the Hookersâ residence, Cameron allegedly took Marliz to the basement, where he suspended her from the ceiling by her wrists. She was stripped, tortured, and subjected to unimaginable cruelty. Janice recounted Cameron attempting to silence Marlizâs screams by cutting her vocal cords, a procedure that caused excessive bleeding. He then reportedly shot her in the abdomen with a pellet gun and strangled her. The couple allegedly wrapped Marlizâs body in blankets and buried her in a shallow grave near Lassen Volcanic National Park. Despite extensive searches, her remains have never been found, and Cameron has consistently denied involvement. The lack of physical evidence led the Tehama County District Attorneyâs office to refrain from charging him, leaving Marlizâs case open and her family in limbo. Those with information about Marlizâs disappearance or the Dodge Colt, last seen at the Hookersâ Pershing Road home in 1984, are urged to contact the Red Bluff Police Department at 530-527-3131 or submit tips via unsolved.com.
The Seven-Year Nightmare of Colleen Stan
On May 19, 1977, 20-year-old Colleen Stan was hitchhiking from Eugene, Oregon, to a friendâs birthday party in Westwood, California. An experienced hitchhiker, she felt confident accepting a ride from Cameron and Janice Hooker, reassured by the presence of their baby in the car. However, her trust was shattered when Cameron pulled off Interstate 5 under the pretense of exploring nearby caves. He held a knife to her throat, bound her, and placed a headbox over her head, identical to the one allegedly used on Marliz. Colleen was driven to the Hookersâ Red Bluff home, where she would endure seven years of captivity, torture, and psychological manipulation. Cameron, inspired by the 1954 erotic novel Story of O, forced Colleen to sign a âslave contract,â renaming her âKâ and demanding she address him as âMaster.â He fabricated a fictitious organization called âThe Company,â threatening her familyâs safety if she attempted escape.
Colleenâs captivity was marked by extreme cruelty. For up to 23 hours a day, she was confined in a coffin-like wooden box beneath the Hookersâ waterbed, emerging only for meals, chores, or abuse. Cameron subjected her to whippings, electrocution, and rape using implements, avoiding vaginal intercourse to honor a twisted agreement with Janice. Colleen was also forced to clean the house and care for the Hookersâ children, all while living in constant fear. A haunting detail emerged during her captivity: a school portrait-style photograph of a young woman, later believed to be Marliz, was propped against Colleenâs purse under the bed, visible each time she entered or exited the box. This chilling connection between the two victims fueled suspicions that Marliz met a similar fate. In August 1984, Janice, driven by guilt and fear of Cameronâs plans to abduct more women, confessed to Colleen that âThe Companyâ was a lie. With Janiceâs help, Colleen escaped, contacting her family from a bus station. Janice later turned Cameron in, revealing details of both Colleenâs captivity and Marlizâs alleged murder.
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