Cellar Girl

As a young mum-of-three, the author was determined to get her troubled life back on track. But then she met Gary Heidnik and the next four months became a living nightmare. Along with five women she was held captive in a cellar where she was starved, beaten, and repeatedly raped to fulfil Heidnik's desire of creating a 'family' of ten children.

'I stood there for a moment, silently speaking to myself: Josefina, you will survive this. You are strong. You are a fighter. You adapt.'

As a young mum-of-three, Josefina Rivera was determined to get her troubled life back on track. But then she met Gary Heidnik and the next four months became a living nightmare.

Along with five women Josefina was held captive in a cellar where she was starved, beaten, and repeatedly raped to fulfil Heidnik’s desire of creating a ‘family’ of ten children.

Cellar Girl is the shocking but ultimately inspiring story of how one brave, young woman saved herself and others from a life worse than hell.