An Adelaide woman has bravely come forward to share her terrifying ordeal after being violently attacked by the same stranger on two separate occasions over five years. The latest brutal assault left her requiring 32 stitches for severe cuts and widespread bruising.
A nightmare repeated: Two random attacks
Jessica Cowell, a 31-year-old nurse, describes the incidents as "every woman's worst nightmare." The first attack occurred in 2020 while she was hiking at Anstey Hill Recreation Park. A man leapt from bushes, stabbed her in the leg, and a physical struggle ensued on the ground before she managed to escape.
Shockingly, history repeated itself five years later. On a Monday in early 2025, Cowell was running along the popular River Torrens linear path when she was attacked again. "I just felt like a tug from behind. It was quite forceful," she recounted. Despite the trauma, she was certain she recognised her assailant from the first attack. "It was just, it was too real to not be him," she said.
A fight for justice after charges were dropped
The aftermath of the first attack was compounded by a frustrating legal outcome. Due to issues with evidence, the charges against the alleged attacker were dropped. Now, recovering from her second and more severe set of injuries, Cowell is determined to see justice served.
"You sit here and you're frustrated and wondering, has this happened to other people?" she questioned, highlighting her fear that the man may have targeted others. South Australia Police have stated they are not actively seeking the man but know his identity and are following lines of inquiry.
The lasting impact and a plea for vigilance
The psychological scars run deep. After the first instance, it took Cowell a long time to feel safe enough to leave her house. Now, with a strong support system, she is navigating the trauma of a second, brutal act.
By sharing her story, she hopes to remind others to remain vigilant while exercising and to highlight a profound injustice. "We're still expected to protect ourselves when we run and not just be able to go for a run," Cowell stated, pointing to the unfair burden placed on women to ensure their own safety in public spaces.
Her courage in speaking out underscores a critical community safety issue in Adelaide, as she continues her recovery and her pursuit of accountability for the attacks that have forever changed her life.
