In September 1978, a teenager hitchhiking through California narrowly avoided death after accepting a lift from a middle-aged man in a blue van. Whilst she would escape with her life, she would be left horrifically mutilated. Meanwhile, shortfalls in the criminal justice system would mean that, after a short term behind bars, her attacker would be released – free to hunt another unsuspecting victim. This is what happens when the system fails to protect the public. This is the case of the Mad Chopper, Larry Singleton.