US Olympic biathlete Kari Swenson was kidnapped by father-and-son survivalists Don and Dan Nichols in July 1984. The 22-year-old was seized during a training run in the mountains of Montana and shot in the lung, leaving her with permanent injuries.
Abduction during a training run
Kari Swenson was running as part of her biathlon training in the mountains of Montana when Don Nichols and his 19-year-old son, Dan, targeted her. The pair found her on the trail and forced her further into the remote south-western mountains of Montana, according to Associated Press.
Kari recalled being seized and struck. "I was concerned they were going to rape and murder me," she said. She begged them to let her go, but Dan refused. "No, I want to keep you. You're pretty. I want to keep you," he told her, she said. "We don't get many women up in the mountains to talk to," Kari said Don told her.
Kari was chained wrist-to-wrist with her captor and held captive overnight. They dragged her deeper through the wilderness towards their camp. She attempted to reason with them, claiming she was married. Drawing on her survival instincts, Kari deliberately dropped personal belongings along the route as a trail of clues for potential rescuers.
Deadly rescue attempt
Kari's loved ones became concerned when she failed to return from her run and launched a search operation at Lone Mountain Ranch. On July 16, Jim Schwalbe, a friend, and Alan Goldstein, a colleague, discovered the Nichols' Jack Creek residence.
A frantic Kari cried out upon spotting her two friends approaching, attempting to alert them that her captors were carrying weapons. Don instructed his son to silence her, and Dan discharged his pistol, piercing Kari's lung. "Oh my God. I didn't mean to shoot her," Dan said in court, claiming the shooting was unintentional, according to The New York Times.
Jim rushed towards Kari while Alan told the father and son to lower their firearms. Don fired at Alan, hitting him in the cheek, and he died at the scene while trying to save his friend. He was 36 years old.
The Nichols escaped into the Madison mountains, abandoning Swenson injured and alone at the isolated campsite. Jim ran to fetch assistance. Shot through the lung and gasping for breath, Kari dragged herself to a sleeping bag and braced herself for death, though she attempted to stay warm in case someone managed to rescue her. "I thought I was probably going to die at any time," Kari said.
Capture and trial
Four hours later, Jim returned with emergency services and Kari was airlifted to a hospital in Bozeman. The athlete underwent emergency surgery and survived, though she sustained permanent injuries from the gunshot wound.
Police launched an extensive manhunt for the Nicholses, who were thought to be heavily armed, authorities informed the AP. The father and son evaded capture for almost five months, relying on their detailed knowledge of the mountainous terrain and concealed provisions to endure the harsh winter conditions.
They were eventually apprehended in December 1984 after Sheriff France traced them to a snow-covered campsite near Bear Trap Canyon. Both faced kidnapping charges. Don was additionally charged with Alan's murder.
Don confessed to abducting Kari, claiming he believed she would ultimately choose to live with him and his son in the wilderness. "We talked and it seemed on the surface she was the kind that I've always thought of," he said. "So I took her by the wrist."
A jury found Don guilty of deliberate homicide of Alan, kidnapping and aggravated assault, handing him an 85-year prison sentence. Dan was convicted of kidnapping and assault but cleared of homicide. Dan was subsequently freed from prison in 1991.
Aftermath
Kari resumed her sporting career and secured a medal at the world biathlon championships. She later qualified as a vet and relocated back to Montana. Don Nichols was granted parole in 2017 following more than 30 years behind bars, according to The Guardian.
