A woman in Phoenix, Arizona, has bravely escaped after allegedly being held captive, repeatedly beaten, and even buried alive for two weeks by her boyfriend, Timothy Wood, 36. Police say Wood allegedly “locked” her in a shed, using “tow straps” and “chained the doors shut.”
The victim managed to escape through the back of the shed and ran to a nearby neighbor for help. She told emergency call handlers she had been abused for weeks by Wood.
Victim’s Harrowing Account and Escape
“She was frantic. She was scared to death that he was going to find her and kill her,” the neighbor told FOX 10, describing the victim’s appearance with “two black eyes, and then she had a cut right in here. She had a bruise on her head. She had a bruise on her leg.” The neighbor immediately called the police after taking the woman inside, noting she “hadn’t been taken care of, hadn’t showered. She was kind of, you know, dirty and stuff.” The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Police quickly arrived at Wood’s father’s home on July 2, where the woman claimed she had been confined in a shed behind the residence. She alleged Wood bound her ankles with tow straps, chained the shed doors shut, and even stacked a wall of bricks outside the door to prevent her escape.
Allegations of Torture and Abuse
The victim’s allegations against Wood include being hit with an electrical cord to force her into sexual acts or as punishment for not wearing make-up. Prosecutors detailed the horrific extent of the alleged abuse: “He held her captive for over 14 days, imprisoned in a shed. He beat her. He forced sex on her under threats of death. He held down her neck to stop her breathing.”
Further disturbing claims include Wood tying her down with “lots of chains,” threatening to cut off her foot with a saw and actually injuring her foot to some extent. Most shockingly, the victim alleged he “dug a hole underneath the shed, and he buried her for two days.” Prosecutors stated, “This victim, very well for 14 days, may have been worried that she may not survive this incident.“
Wood’s Denial and Legal Status
Wood has denied the claims in court, stating, “These are some crazy allegations. I don’t … that’s not me.” He attempted to discredit the victim by suggesting she “just got out of the loony bin or whatever” and has “episodes.”
Timothy Wood is currently being held in the Maricopa County Jail on a bond of $150,000 (£100,000).
