The Legend
And now, an urban legend classic that’s been sending shivers up spines since at least the 1960s. As it’s usually told, a lady driving alone is attacked and killed by a man lurking in her backseat, usually after she misinterprets or misses a warning from an onlooker. That Chinese food you’ve left in your car for the past month may not be the only scary thing lurking in your backseat.
The Truth
Back in 2007, an Alabama college student made a quick stop at the grocery store, then drove her roomy SUV (“Rear-seating for up to 5 stalkers!”) to class. Later, as she drove home from school, our victim called her brother on her cell, but the conversation was interrupted by screams when a strange man sat up in her backseat like Bela friggin’ Lugosi. The girl told police she definitely locked her car at school, and there was no sign of a break in, so the theory is the man slipped into the SUV at the grocery store, then waited over an hour to strike like an exceptionally patient cobra.
The man, who claimed to have a gun, began to scramble over the seats, while insisting he wanted the girl to “take him somewhere.” Thankfully our intrepid student knew exactly where she had to go, namely, the fuck out of there. She slammed on the brakes, then managed to escape the car and get to safety. In response, the unwanted passenger climbed into the front seat, grabbed the girl’s cigarettes, lit one up, and then strolled away never to be seen again. If this guy hadn’t just pulled the creepiest stunt of all time, we’d be tempted to say that was a pretty cool exit.
If only the car has subsequently exploded.
“But wait” you say, “This legend is called The Killer in the Backseat! Where’s the killing?” Don’t worry, we’re getting to it! Recently a more deadly version of the same story befell a woman named April Fields. While dropping her kids off at daycare, surveillance cameras caught a hefty man with a limp slip into her backseat. Unfortunately, the camera didn’t come with an “Oh shit, do not go in there!” alarm, so April had no idea what was waiting for her. Shortly after returning to her vehicle, the car began to shimmy like a struggle was going down inside it, then the mysterious limping man got into the driver’s seat and took off. Fields was later found stabbed and strangled. We’d suggest you always lock your doors and keep one eye over your shoulder, but we bet you’re way ahead of us after reading through this cheery article.
Didn't arrive her via Cracked? You can read the rest of this year's urban legends article right here.