So I think I saw someone being abducted nearly 15 years ago

[IJustWantABrew]

Okay, so before people start drawing breath and angrily typing responses please read the whole thing..

I'm 27 now, when I was about 12 I think I saw someone being abducted and dragged into some woods. The area I lived in was remote and it would be unlikely that someone would have been walking there, so I guess she would have been driven there. I remember being on my bike with a friend and seeing a woman being dragged into this small wood just off the road. I remember being terrified and me and my mate cycling as quickly as we could back home.
I never told anyone what I saw, and for all I know I could have imagined it, but seeing as details are still quite clear 15 years on I can't work out how real what I saw was.

I can remember bits of what happened, I think it would have been between 2000-2004 and it would have been the summer. We wouldn't have been in that area unless it was a nice enough day. So I guess summer would be the right sort of time.

I can remember being scared, terrified to be fair, and I remember the look in the woman's eyes.. again terrified. I remember a man standing behind her and dragging her into this wooded area with his hand over her mouth.

I've googled to see if a body was ever reported as being found, or even if an assault ever took place, but being so remote and me not remembering a lot about it, makes me searching for information difficult.

Now to the wwyd bit... would you report this or not. I live out of area so I assume I can speak to my local police dept (I'm in the uk) the reason I've not reported this as I don't know if I've imagined this, but on the other hand I don't think I did.

God manhowdy you've got me wondering at that!

Report it OP. If there are no records of anything in that area at the time I doubt they will do much with your report so it won't be wasting anyone's time. It will be on record though should it ever become relevant, and it is striking how details of cold cases can suddenly become relevant, eg. In another enquiry. On the other hand if it has been reported in the past your input might just make a difference. I hope the woman involved was ok.

I agree with others - write down as much as you can remember and go to the police. BUT don't forget, this may be something that was solved at the time/later. Or it may have been something more 'innocent' than your 12 year old brain realised (though admittedly, I can't imagine what!) Hopefully, it'll turn out to be nothing or solved, in which case you will be able to put this memory to rest.

Historic evidence or intelligence is never a waste of time to the police. It's also not uncommon for it to be sketchy at best, but really can prove vital.

Depending on where you are, you may be able to schedule what's called a diary car for an officer to visit you and take a statement. If you think you may get upset talking about it, you can have someone with you.

I second the pp's idea to join Facebook, purely to connect with your friend, even only to confirm to you that it did actually happen, although I wouldn't ask him to help you remember specific details as this may only confuse you further. It might be worth asking him to make his own report though, as if there is any weight to this, the police are very good at weeding out the true details from conflicting/poorly remembered witness accounts.

Good luck OP, it's not an easy thing to consider doing, but the police will want to make it as comfortable as possible for you to do so, and it could just prove to be v important.

Have you thought of trying hypnotherapy

Talk to the police first. Memories can be altered and suggested. I'm sure they'd want to hear from you now.

Memories can be altered and suggested.

babymouse, oracle.

OP,

Speak to the Police first.

If you did manage to contact your friend, you would colour each other's version of events.

Speak to police and friend. Lots of crimes aren't reported online anywhere so you have no idea if there is already an open case on it

What did you end up doing OP?

I would report. You can't get in trouble for reporting it now, as you were 12, totally understandable.

You should report it..it's why they have appeals 20 years later...and will put your mind at rest

OP did you ever report this?

I don't know why posters can't think why a child wouldn't report something. There are so many reasons why they wouldn't, ranging from the shock of seeing such a serious yet fleeting situation without warning, worries about being believed, being scared, or simply not knowing how to process what they saw so the brain blanking / blurring it etc etc.

Anyway, I wonder if reporting it now might give you a sense of closure or discharge a nagging sense of responsibility somehow?

Definitely speak to the police before anyone else. Friend, therapist, hypnotist maybe in time, but police first.