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'Wooded Rapist' Victim Recalls Attack

Woman Able To Provide Police With DNA

POSTED: 5:36 pm CDT May 6, 2008
UPDATED: 7:30 pm CDT May 6, 2008

Police said they are casting a wider net around the man they call the "Wooded Rapist."

Video: 'Wooded Rapist' Victim Recalls Attack

Investigators said they are trying to connect Robert Jason Burdick to more than the 13 rapes he's accused of committing.

Burdick was arrested on Thursday in connection with a series of attacks.

Channel 4 News has also learned that Burdick was arrested on charges more than 20 years ago.

But the 20-year-old allegations may not surprise Pat Young, whom police said is Burdick's first victim in the "Wooded Rapist" attacks. Young said she is convinced her attacker had a history of violence.

She said she remembers her attack like it was yesterday.

"At home asleep in your bed is supposed to be the safest place you are. Well, that's where I was at, home asleep in my bed," she said.

Young was able to bite her attacker and give police DNA, which they said matches Burdick’s.

But Young said she does not believe her attacker was just getting started.

"You have to wonder where he started. We're the first case that we know of, but were there more that went unreported?" she said.

Sources close to the case said Burdick was sent to Spencer Youth Center for Juvenile Offenders.

"I think he's been doing this for a very long time. I know there are cases directly related through DNA. I suspect there are others where there is other evidence and if they can tie it to him, good," Young said.

Metro police may also have similar suspicions.

An agency spokesperson confirmed that police are going back to look at a number of other cases with similar circumstances beyond the 13 police already suspect Burdick of to determine if they can connect him to more attacks.

"The longer he's away, the happier I'll be about it. I hope it is forever," Young said.

Channel 4's Sara Dorsey also reported on Tuesday that sources said Burdick spent some time in a juvenile facility in his teens and may also be responsible for vandalizing Clarksville High School. The sources also told Dorsey that Burdick was arrested on assault charges when he was 17 and that the alleged assault might have involved a girlfriend.

Police said Burdick has so far been indicted on five counts of aggravated rape.

Victims and alleged victims of rape are not usually identified but Young said she hopes Burdick's arrest and her willingness to talk about the case will empower others.


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