Dayton abduction suspect's 1991 victim speaks out

Lori Rattay said she was "devastated" when she heard who the suspect was in the kidnapping of 15-year-old Kathlynn Shepard and another 12-year-old girl Monday.

Rattay is well acquainted with suspect Michael James Klunder, 42, because he kidnapped her when she was 21-years old in 1991.

"I was so distraught (when she heard) I had to leave work," Rattay, now 43, of Mason City said Thursday through an email interview because she was too nervous to do a phone interview. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about what those girls went through. No one should have to endure something like this, especially not innocent children."

Klunder is the suspect in the kidnapping of Kathlynn Shepard, 15, of Dayton, who has been missing since Monday. Dezi Hughes, 12, told the Dayton Leader that Klunder lured her and Kathlynn into his truck by telling them he would pay them to mow lawns. Hughes escaped and investigators found Klunder dead later Monday. He committed suicide. The search continues for Kathlynn.

Rattay, formerly Lori Smith of Rudd, said she will never forget that night Dec. 15, 1991 when she was on her way home after going with friends to a movie in Mason City. A few miles out of Mason City on Highway 18, she noticed a car quickly approaching her car and the driver was flashing headlights "like crazy."

"I thought it was one of my friends I had gone to the movie with earlier - he lived in that area," Rattay said. "So, I pulled over. When I saw that it wasn't my friend I locked my doors and cracked my window just a little."

Klunder asked her if she knew her tail light was out. She said she didn't and he said "Why don't you come back and take a look?"

"I got out of my car, wishing now that I hadn't, and approached the rear of my car, where he stood waiting for me," Rattay said.

Rattay said she realized both lights were on about the same time he attacked her and forced her to the ground. Klunder told her he had a knife and would use it if forced but she never saw it.

"I kept asking him what he wanted and he said 'Just do what I say and I won't hurt you,'" Rattay said. "He then forced me into his car."

Rattay said she was crying and kept asking him what he wanted and why he was doing this, even screaming it at times, but he kept saying "Shut up and just do what I say."

"At the time, I was terrified," she said. "I was in shock that this was even happening. I kept looking around, seeing which direction I would run if I were to escape. I kept thinking that all the farm houses were so far away. I'm sure he'd catch me."

Rattay said he quickly turned off the highway onto a gravel road and then they encountered an oncoming car at an intersection. When Klunder stopped the car at the intersection, she opened the passenger side door and started screaming and waving her arms.

"Klunder grabbed my jacket and hair so I couldn't get out," Rattay said. "With the door wide open, I was still screaming as loud as I could 'Help me!' Klunder then sped off with the door still opened and me still screaming. The car was a stick shift so with my left foot I kicked and held the shift in a position so he couldn't shift or go faster. He kept looking in the mirror and when he saw the truck had turned around and was following us, he pushed me out."

According to trial testimony in April 1992, James Jackson of Nora Springs said it looked like the people in the car were arguing and yelling, so he turned to follow them.

Rattay said she was injured when jumped out and rolled a few times because the car was going about 30 mph but she was able to get up and flag Jackson down. He stopped and she got into his truck, and then Jackson chased Klunder but eventually lost him.

Jackson and his wife wanted to take her to the police but she wanted to go back to get her car, which had been left running, lights on and her purse was sitting in the front seat. Rattay said she went to her friends house and called the police. She went to the hospital the next day.

Rattay said it was a huge relief when Klunder was caught.

"I was terrified that this monster as out on the street and would come looking for me," Rattay said. I had a great group of friends and my family was very supportive."

Rattay said she hasn't stopped thinking about Kathlynn's family and keeps praying for the teen's safe return to them.

"My heart is broken for them," Rattay said. "I am so very sorry that they are going through this. If they need anything, or need to talk to me or ask me questions, I will be more than happy to do that."