Marc Patrick O’Leary, U.S. Army
On August 11, 2008, Marc Patrick O’Leary raped an eighteen year old at knife point in Lynnwood, Washington. The 18 year old woman reported the rape to her local police department but they accused her of lying and she was charged with false reporting. In 2011, Marc O’Leary was arrested in Colorado for rape and consequently admitted to raping several women in Washington and Colorado. DNA, digital evidence, and O’Leary’s vehicle linked him physically to several rapes. As it turns out, there was evidence on a camera corroborating the 18 year old’s report of rape in 2008. Investigators learned the Lynnwood, Washington police didn’t believe the alleged victim of rape and she was indeed found guilty of false reporting and fined $500.
The victim sued the City of Lynnwood who refunded her $500 fine and settled out of court for $150,000. Marc O’Leary pleaded guilty to the rapes in Colorado and was sentenced to over 300 years in prison. ProPublica covered the story and highlighted the dangers of mishandling rape cases and not using the FBI national database created to help catch repeat offenders. ProPublica won a Pulitzer prize for their coverage of “An Unbelievable Story of Rape” with The Marshall Project. Maureen Maher of 48 Hours also did an investigation titled the “Hunted” and she went inside the mind of a serial rapist who was hunting his victims while two detectives were hunting him.
Cops can be protective about their cases, fearing that information could be leaked that would jeopardize their investigations. They often don’t know about, or fail to use, an FBI database created years ago to help catch repeat offenders. Between one-fourth to two-thirds of rapists are serial attackers, studies show. -ProPublica
True Crime:
“48 Hours” goes inside the mind of a serial rapist hunting his victims while two detectives were hunting him. -48 Hours (November 17, 2016)
Inspired by real events, a teen reports and eventually recants her reported rape, while two female detectives, states away, investigate evidence that could reveal the truth. Based on The Marshall Project & ProPublica Pulitzer Prize-winning article, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” written by T. Christian Miller & Ken Armstrong, “Unbelievable” is a story of unspeakable trauma, unwavering tenacity, & astounding resilience. -Netflix (July 18, 2019)
Related Links:
Golden Police Department Arrest Affidavit for Marc O’Leary
Lakewood Man Accused Of Being Masked Rapist
Pictures in Accused Rapist’s Camera Provide Chilling Evidence Against Him
Victim of accused serial rapist was charged with false reporting
Disturbing Details Emerge In Suspected Serial Rapist Case
Affidavit: Colorado rape suspect believed he was member of secret society, could have sex with anyone
Serial rapist pleads guilty, faces life in Colorado prison
Photos lead to charge of rape against former Mountlake Terrace man
Colorado man charged in local 2008 rapes
Accused Colorado serial rapist charged in Kirkland attack
‘I went and threw up,’ says girlfriend of serial rapist
327 ½ years to life Prison Sentence for Serial Rapist
Marc O’Leary, serial rapist who felt entitled to assault anyone he wanted, gets 327 years
Suspect in Lynnwood rape sentenced to 325 years for Colorado crimes
Marc O’Leary Sentenced To Over 300 Years For Rapes In Colorado, Washington
Convicted rapist pleads guilty to rapes in Lynnwood, Kirkland
Serial Rapist Given Multiple Life Sentences — Rocky Mountain RCFL Recovered Critical Digital Evidence
Serial rapist serving life sentence gets 40 more years for raping Kirkland woman
In tracking down a serial rapist, two detectives help 18-year-old victim prove she wasn’t lying
No One Believed This Girl Was Telling the Truth About Being Raped Until They Found Pictures on Her Rapist’s Camera
Woman Sues City of Lynnwood Charging Cops Refused to Believe She Had Been Raped
Woman suing police after she was fined $500 for making up rape it turns out was TRUE and committed by serial attacker
Rape victim called a liar by authorities
Lynnwood settles with rape victim for $150K
Lynnwood to pay rape victim $150,000 in false-claim suit
Rape Victim Gets $150,000 After Police Accuse Her Of Lying
An Unbelievable Story of Rape
How We Reported ‘An Unbelievable Story of Rape’
Why was a rape victim interrogated as a crime suspect?
How A Colorado Rape Investigation Highlights Good Police Work
This Bone-Chilling Story Shows How 1 Serial Rapist Almost Got Away With His Crimes
A story about the dangers of not believing rape victims wins Pulitzer Prize
Lynnwood woman’s story highlights mishandling of rape cases
Inside the Year’s Most Unbelievable Story Of Rape
’48 Hours’ To Feature Investigation Into Colorado Serial Rapist
Videos:
48 Hours Premiered ‘Hunted’ on CBS (2017)
48 Hours “Hunted”
“48 Hours” preview: Hunted
“48 Hours” investigates the hunt for a serial rapist
MILITARY JUSTICE FOR ALL 