Cline Falls Axe Attack
Unsolved Axe Attack Case
CLASSIFICATION: Attempted Homicide
LOCATION
Cline Falls State Park, Oregon
TIME PERIOD
June 22-23, 1977
VICTIMS
2 confirmed
The Cline Falls axe attack occurred on the night of June 22-23, 1977, at Cline Falls State Park in Deschutes County, Oregon, involving two female college students, Terri Jentz and Avra Goldman, who were camping during a cross-country cycling trip. At approximately 11:30 p.m., a vehicle drove over their tent, injuring both women, after which the driver exited the vehicle and attacked them with an axe, resulting in significant injuries but no fatalities. The assailant has never been positively identified, although two suspects, Richard Damm and Richard Wayne Godwin, have been mentioned in connection with the case. The incident remains unsolved, and the investigation is ongoing, with no new leads reported as of October 2023.
The primary theories surrounding the Cline Falls axe attack include the possibility that the assailant was a local resident familiar with the area, as the attack occurred in a remote location. Some speculate that the attack may have been a random act of violence, while others believe it was premeditated, targeting the victims specifically due to their vulnerability as young women camping alone. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the two suspects, Richard Damm and Richard Wayne Godwin, may have been involved, although no conclusive evidence has linked them to the crime.
The Cline Falls Axe Attack: A Tale of Survival and Mystery
A Night of Terror
On the serene night of June 22, 1977, the tranquility of Cline Falls State Park in Deschutes County, Oregon, was shattered by a horrific event that remains unsolved to this day. Two young women, Terri Jentz and her roommate Avra Goldman, both college students from Yale University, embarked on a cross-country adventure along the Trans America Trail. Their journey was meant to be a summer adventure, with the Cline Falls area serving as a picturesque rest stop. However, their night took a terrifying turn, marking the location as the site of a brutal attempted homicide that would haunt the region and leave investigators baffled.
The Precursor to Horror
Terri Jentz, at 19, hailed from Western Springs, Illinois, while her 20-year-old roommate, Avra Goldman, was from Wellesley, Massachusetts. The duo had set out from Astoria, Oregon, pedaling eastward across the state. When they reached the remote Cline Falls State Park, they decided to camp overnight by the Deschutes River, despite an unsettling feeling that crept over them. Jentz later described it as an instinctual sense of danger, a feeling shared between the two.
The Attack
As darkness enveloped the park around 11:30 p.m., the women were abruptly awakened by the ominous sound of a truck approaching their tent. Initially, Jentz assumed it was a group of teenagers out for a night of fun. However, the vehicle, instead of stopping at a safe distance, drove directly over their tent. The tires pinned Jentz to the ground, inflicting severe injuries: broken arms, a fractured leg, collarbone, ribs, and a crushed lung.
The driver, a man wielding an axe, exited the vehicle and mercilessly attacked Goldman, striking her in the head approximately six times. In a moment of sheer desperation, Jentz, despite her own injuries, managed to engage with the attacker. "Take anything but leave us alone, please leave us alone," she pleaded. The man paused, hovering the axe over her heart. Jentz caught the blade in her hands, suffering deep cuts as she grappled with it, but miraculously, the attacker withdrew and retreated to his vehicle, disappearing into the night.
A Struggle for Survival
Despite their grave injuries, Jentz summoned the strength to stumble to a nearby road. There, she flagged down two passing teenagers, Bill Penhollow and Darlene Gervais. Gervais later recounted the chilling sight of Jentz, covered in blood, with it dripping from her hair. The teenagers rushed to help Goldman, who lay critically injured at the campsite. As they attended to her, headlights appeared in the distance, sparking fear that the assailant had returned. Fortunately, the vehicle continued past without incident.
The Investigation Begins
Police arrived shortly after midnight on June 23, launching an investigation into the heinous crime. They scrutinized the tire tracks left in the dirt, deducing that the vehicle had two bald rear tires, and one of the front tires was significantly worn. Meanwhile, Jentz and Goldman were rushed to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, where Goldman underwent an intensive nine-hour brain surgery.
The investigation faced immediate hurdles. Goldman's severe brain injuries rendered her unable to recall the attack, while Jentz, conscious throughout, couldn't see her assailant's face. She described him only as a "young cowboy" based on his attire and physique.
Suspects Emerge
The case soon focused on two potential suspects. The first was Richard "Dick" Damm, a 17-year-old local whose name surfaced when a woman in Redmond informed authorities about his possible involvement. Damm had been embroiled in a dispute with his girlfriend, Janey Fraley, around the time of the attack. Although Damm's polygraph tests suggested deception, the results were deemed unreliable due to his methamphetamine use during the examination. Fraley revealed to the police that Damm had changed the tires on his truck and removed a toolbox shortly after the attack, adding more suspicion.
The second suspect was Richard Wayne "Bud" Godwin, a convicted child rapist and murderer serving a sentence for a gruesome crime. It was rumored that a female relative of Godwin's, with whom he had an inappropriate relationship, might have been present at the park that night. However, Jentz insisted that Godwin did not resemble her recollection of the attacker.
Aftermath and Legacy
Remarkably, both Jentz and Goldman survived the attack, though not without enduring lasting scars. Goldman suffered vision issues due to her head injuries. In a gesture of gratitude and hope, Goldman's parents established a $3,000 fund for critical-care equipment at St. Charles Medical Center, honoring Penhollow and Gervais for their lifesaving assistance.
In 2006, Jentz published "Strange Piece of Paradise," a book that chronicled her life post-attack and her quest for closure. During her research, she discovered that crucial evidence and records of the investigation had inexplicably disappeared.
Unsolved Mysteries
The Cline Falls axe attack remains one of Oregon's most perplexing unsolved crimes. Despite the passage of time and the persistence of those involved in the investigation, the identity of the axe-wielding attacker remains unknown. The case continues to captivate those interested in true crime, serving as a chilling reminder of the unresolved mysteries that linger in the shadows of history.
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Cline Falls Axe Attack
Terri Jentz and Avra Goldman are attacked at Cline Falls State Park while camping.
Police Arrive
Police begin investigating the scene after the attack, examining tire marks left by the assailant's vehicle.
Damm's Polygraph Test
Richard Damm takes a second polygraph test, which indicates deception regarding his involvement in the attack.
Fund Established
Goldman's parents donate $3,000 to St. Charles Medical Center for critical-care equipment in honor of the teenagers who helped.
Book Published
Terri Jentz publishes 'Strange Piece of Paradise', recounting her life after the attack and the investigation.
Media Coverage
Jentz discusses her experience and the unresolved nature of the case in various media outlets.
The Cline Falls axe attack occurred on the night of June 22-23, 1977, at Cline Falls State Park in Deschutes County, Oregon, involving two female college students, Terri Jentz and Avra Goldman, who were camping during a cross-country cycling trip. At approximately 11:30 p.m., a vehicle drove over their tent, injuring both women, after which the driver exited the vehicle and attacked them with an axe, resulting in significant injuries but no fatalities. The assailant has never been positively identified, although two suspects, Richard Damm and Richard Wayne Godwin, have been mentioned in connection with the case. The incident remains unsolved, and the investigation is ongoing, with no new leads reported as of October 2023.
The primary theories surrounding the Cline Falls axe attack include the possibility that the assailant was a local resident familiar with the area, as the attack occurred in a remote location. Some speculate that the attack may have been a random act of violence, while others believe it was premeditated, targeting the victims specifically due to their vulnerability as young women camping alone. Additionally, there are theories suggesting that the two suspects, Richard Damm and Richard Wayne Godwin, may have been involved, although no conclusive evidence has linked them to the crime.
The Cline Falls Axe Attack: A Tale of Survival and Mystery
A Night of Terror
On the serene night of June 22, 1977, the tranquility of Cline Falls State Park in Deschutes County, Oregon, was shattered by a horrific event that remains unsolved to this day. Two young women, Terri Jentz and her roommate Avra Goldman, both college students from Yale University, embarked on a cross-country adventure along the Trans America Trail. Their journey was meant to be a summer adventure, with the Cline Falls area serving as a picturesque rest stop. However, their night took a terrifying turn, marking the location as the site of a brutal attempted homicide that would haunt the region and leave investigators baffled.
The Precursor to Horror
Terri Jentz, at 19, hailed from Western Springs, Illinois, while her 20-year-old roommate, Avra Goldman, was from Wellesley, Massachusetts. The duo had set out from Astoria, Oregon, pedaling eastward across the state. When they reached the remote Cline Falls State Park, they decided to camp overnight by the Deschutes River, despite an unsettling feeling that crept over them. Jentz later described it as an instinctual sense of danger, a feeling shared between the two.
The Attack
As darkness enveloped the park around 11:30 p.m., the women were abruptly awakened by the ominous sound of a truck approaching their tent. Initially, Jentz assumed it was a group of teenagers out for a night of fun. However, the vehicle, instead of stopping at a safe distance, drove directly over their tent. The tires pinned Jentz to the ground, inflicting severe injuries: broken arms, a fractured leg, collarbone, ribs, and a crushed lung.
The driver, a man wielding an axe, exited the vehicle and mercilessly attacked Goldman, striking her in the head approximately six times. In a moment of sheer desperation, Jentz, despite her own injuries, managed to engage with the attacker. "Take anything but leave us alone, please leave us alone," she pleaded. The man paused, hovering the axe over her heart. Jentz caught the blade in her hands, suffering deep cuts as she grappled with it, but miraculously, the attacker withdrew and retreated to his vehicle, disappearing into the night.
A Struggle for Survival
Despite their grave injuries, Jentz summoned the strength to stumble to a nearby road. There, she flagged down two passing teenagers, Bill Penhollow and Darlene Gervais. Gervais later recounted the chilling sight of Jentz, covered in blood, with it dripping from her hair. The teenagers rushed to help Goldman, who lay critically injured at the campsite. As they attended to her, headlights appeared in the distance, sparking fear that the assailant had returned. Fortunately, the vehicle continued past without incident.
The Investigation Begins
Police arrived shortly after midnight on June 23, launching an investigation into the heinous crime. They scrutinized the tire tracks left in the dirt, deducing that the vehicle had two bald rear tires, and one of the front tires was significantly worn. Meanwhile, Jentz and Goldman were rushed to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend, where Goldman underwent an intensive nine-hour brain surgery.
The investigation faced immediate hurdles. Goldman's severe brain injuries rendered her unable to recall the attack, while Jentz, conscious throughout, couldn't see her assailant's face. She described him only as a "young cowboy" based on his attire and physique.
Suspects Emerge
The case soon focused on two potential suspects. The first was Richard "Dick" Damm, a 17-year-old local whose name surfaced when a woman in Redmond informed authorities about his possible involvement. Damm had been embroiled in a dispute with his girlfriend, Janey Fraley, around the time of the attack. Although Damm's polygraph tests suggested deception, the results were deemed unreliable due to his methamphetamine use during the examination. Fraley revealed to the police that Damm had changed the tires on his truck and removed a toolbox shortly after the attack, adding more suspicion.
The second suspect was Richard Wayne "Bud" Godwin, a convicted child rapist and murderer serving a sentence for a gruesome crime. It was rumored that a female relative of Godwin's, with whom he had an inappropriate relationship, might have been present at the park that night. However, Jentz insisted that Godwin did not resemble her recollection of the attacker.
Aftermath and Legacy
Remarkably, both Jentz and Goldman survived the attack, though not without enduring lasting scars. Goldman suffered vision issues due to her head injuries. In a gesture of gratitude and hope, Goldman's parents established a $3,000 fund for critical-care equipment at St. Charles Medical Center, honoring Penhollow and Gervais for their lifesaving assistance.
In 2006, Jentz published "Strange Piece of Paradise," a book that chronicled her life post-attack and her quest for closure. During her research, she discovered that crucial evidence and records of the investigation had inexplicably disappeared.
Unsolved Mysteries
The Cline Falls axe attack remains one of Oregon's most perplexing unsolved crimes. Despite the passage of time and the persistence of those involved in the investigation, the identity of the axe-wielding attacker remains unknown. The case continues to captivate those interested in true crime, serving as a chilling reminder of the unresolved mysteries that linger in the shadows of history.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Cline Falls Axe Attack
Terri Jentz and Avra Goldman are attacked at Cline Falls State Park while camping.
Police Arrive
Police begin investigating the scene after the attack, examining tire marks left by the assailant's vehicle.
Damm's Polygraph Test
Richard Damm takes a second polygraph test, which indicates deception regarding his involvement in the attack.
Fund Established
Goldman's parents donate $3,000 to St. Charles Medical Center for critical-care equipment in honor of the teenagers who helped.
Book Published
Terri Jentz publishes 'Strange Piece of Paradise', recounting her life after the attack and the investigation.
Media Coverage
Jentz discusses her experience and the unresolved nature of the case in various media outlets.