Kidnap fiend Michael Sams’ victim Stephanie Slater who was kept prisoner in a box for eight days has died
The former estate agent was snatched by the crazed killer when she showed him around an empty house in 1992
A FORMER estate agent who was kept captive at knifepoint in a wooden box by a crazed murderer for eight days has died aged 50.
Stephanie Slater was snatched by one-legged Michael Sams when she turned up to show him around an empty house in January 1992.
She was bound and gagged and driven 100 miles to the monster's workshop in Newark, Notts, where she was locked in a wooden box inside a wheelie bin.
It took eight days for her to be released from Sams' clutches when estate agents Shipways handed over a £175,000 ransom.
It tragically emerged today that Stephanie has died just 11 days after she was diagnosed with cancer.
A string of tributes have begun flooding in for the brave former estate agent.
Writing on Twitter, Stacey LK said: “It took him 25 years but Michael Sams finally killed my best friend Stephanie Slater. I am heartbroken.”
Chief Insp Kerry Blakeman, who worked on the case for West Midlands Police, said: “So sorry to hear about the death of Stephanie Slater – a victim of a truly awful crime, worked on the case back in 1992.”
Stephanie's best friend, Stacey Kettner paid tribute to her and said: "We have had a unique and epic friendship for over 25 years and shared so much together, good and bad times.
"I know that she truly never got over the events that changed her life so dramatically in January 1992.
"It's been an honour and a privilege to be Stephanie's best friend."
Following her horror ordeal, Stephanie moved to the Isle of Wight in a bid to start a new life and wrote a book, Beyond Fear: My Will to Survive.
She worked closely with West Midlands Police to help understand how to treat kidnap victims and helping the victims overcome their traumatic experiences.
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Crazed Sams had kidnapped and murdered 18-year-old prostitute Julie Dart in Leeds in a bungled ransom demand the year before he abducted Stephanie.
He was later caged for life for the kidnapping and Julie's murder.
Sams had been caught when his ex-wife recognised a phone call recorded by cops and used in a TV Crimewatch appeal.
Speaking after her nightmare, Stephanie said: “That monster Sams took Julie’s life and mine – until now.
“Now, at last, I want to finally forget him and start living again.
“Before this happened, I had a boyfriend, a job and a company car.
“I had loads of friends and a great social life. But he (Sams) took everything and destroyed the next 20 years of my life.
“But now I am ready to begin again.
“Most people begin their lives in their 20s or 30s but those years of my life were destroyed.
“Now I need to find a job and a husband – that is my dream.”
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