Woman Held Captive, Tortured For 2 Days Before Escaping

Clinton County, MO – A woman remains in critical condition after she was held captive and tortured for two days inside a house in Clinton County.

The investigation began at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning when Clinton County sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on SE Apache Drive in Lake Arrowhead for a report of a woman who had been held against her will, KMBC reported.

Deputies found a woman at the location who said she had been “severely assaulted and tortured” for two days.

She had finally managed to escape her captors and called for help, KMBC reported.

Authorities have not yet released any details about what sort of torture the woman was subjected to, nor have they elaborated on how the victim ultimately escaped.

The victim was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, KMBC reported.

Deputies went to the home where the woman had been held and tried to get someone to answer the door, KCTV reported.

Officials said one person came outside and another person stayed inside.

That suspect was said to be suicidal, KCTV reported.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect remained barricaded in the home for five hours while negotiators tried without success to get him to give up, KCTV reported.

A K9 unit and the Tri-County SWAT Team eventually entered the home and found the suspect – later identified as James Larson – hiding in a fake wall.

Larson was taken into custody on an unrelated probation violation warrant, KMBC reported.

The Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office will file charges in connection with the woman held in captivity when the sheriff’s department’s investigation has been completed.

“Thank you to Holt Fire & EMS, Tri-County SWAT, Lathrop and Plattsburg PDs and Missouri State Highway Patrol for all the excellent teamwork and a safe ending,” Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish said in a statement, according to KCTV.