The Girl In The Box: 5 Chilling Facts About Cameron And Janice Hooker's Lives Today (2025 Update)

The case of Cameron and Janice Hooker remains one of the most horrifying and psychologically complex true crime stories in American history, revolving around the seven-year captivity of Colleen Stan, infamously known as "The Girl in the Box." As of late 2025, new legal proceedings continue to bring the name Cameron Hooker back into the headlines, focusing on his potential designation as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP). This article provides a deep dive into the couple's background, the details of their chilling crimes, and the most current information available on their respective statuses today. The dark saga of the Hookers and Colleen Stan began in 1977 and concluded in 1984, leaving a permanent scar on the true crime landscape. While Cameron Hooker is serving a century-long prison sentence, his ex-wife, Janice Hooker, lives as a free woman, having been granted immunity for her testimony. The stark difference in their fates, combined with the extreme nature of the torture Stan endured, keeps public interest in the case perpetually high, especially as Cameron’s legal future remains uncertain.

Cameron and Janice Hooker: Full Biographical Profile

The couple at the center of the "Girl in the Box" case had seemingly ordinary lives before their horrific crimes came to light.

Cameron Michael Hooker

• Full Name: Cameron Michael Hooker
• Date of Birth: November 5, 1953
• Occupation (Pre-Crime): Lumber Mill Worker
• Location: Red Bluff, California
• Victim: Colleen J. Stan (Kidnapped May 1977)
• Crime: Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Sexual Assault, Torture
• Conviction Date: November 1985
• Sentence: 104 Years in Prison
• Current Status: Imprisoned; Subject of an ongoing Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) trial.
• Aliases Used: Michael Powers, Master, Sir

Janice Hooker (Now Ex-Wife)

• Full Name: Janice Hooker (Maiden Name/Other Aliases: Janice Powers)
• Age in 1977: Approximately 19 years old
• Role in Crime: Accomplice in the kidnapping and abuse.
• Legal Status: Granted full immunity in exchange for her testimony against Cameron Hooker.
• Current Status: A free woman.
• Key Action: She was instrumental in helping Colleen Stan escape the captivity in 1984.

The Horrifying Details of the Red Bluff Kidnapping

The crime committed by Cameron and Janice Hooker is considered one of the most extreme examples of psychological manipulation and torture in modern history. It began on May 19, 1977, when 20-year-old Colleen Stan was hitchhiking from Eugene, Oregon, to her family's home in California. Cameron and Janice Hooker, driving their van, offered Stan a ride near Red Bluff, California. They had been actively looking for a hitchhiker to kidnap. Shortly after, Cameron held a knife to Stan’s throat and forced her into a small, wooden box he had built. This act marked the beginning of her seven-year ordeal.

Seven Years as "The Girl in the Box"

Colleen Stan was held as a sex slave and subjected to unimaginable psychological and physical torture. For a period, she was kept in a wooden box, often stored under the Hookers' bed in their Red Bluff home. Cameron Hooker, who referred to himself as "Master" or "Sir," convinced Stan that she was the property of a powerful organization known as "The Company," and that any attempt to escape would result in her and her family's death. This complex web of psychological control, often called coercive control, was a central element of the abuse. The Hookers even forced Stan to sign a "slavery contract." Eventually, Stan was allowed to move more freely, even visiting her family once, but the psychological chains of "The Company" kept her from revealing the truth.

Janice Hooker's Role and Stan's Escape

Janice Hooker was an active participant and accomplice in the kidnapping and subsequent abuse. However, in 1984, she approached Colleen Stan and revealed that she, too, was living in fear of Cameron, suggesting they both needed to leave the house. Janice's decision to leave and her subsequent testimony were crucial. After Stan was able to escape, Janice went to the authorities and provided the damning evidence needed to prosecute Cameron Hooker.

Cameron Hooker's Legal Status: The SVP Trial Update (2025)

The most current and pressing development in the case of Cameron Hooker is the ongoing legal battle to have him declared a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP). This designation is critical because it determines his fate after his 104-year prison sentence is completed.

What is a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Designation?

In California, a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) is defined as a person who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense against two or more victims and who has a diagnosed mental disorder that makes them likely to engage in sexually violent criminal behavior. If Cameron Hooker is designated an SVP, he would not be released from custody at the end of his sentence. Instead, he would be committed to a state hospital for an indefinite period for treatment, effectively keeping him off the streets for the rest of his life.

The Ongoing Delays and Current Status

The Tehama County District Attorney's office has been lobbying to have Hooker designated an SVP for years. Cameron Hooker's conviction was in 1985, and his case has been subject to continuous review. The trial to determine his SVP status has faced repeated delays. While a previous hearing was reportedly set for late 2024, the proceedings have been continued again. These delays are often complex, involving expert psychiatric evaluations and court scheduling issues. As of the current date in 2025, Cameron Hooker remains incarcerated, and the SVP trial is still pending. The outcome of this trial will be the final legal chapter in the life of one of America's most notorious kidnappers.

Janice Hooker: Where She is and Her Life Today

Janice Hooker was granted immunity for her testimony, a controversial but legally necessary move to secure the conviction of Cameron Hooker. Her testimony was the key piece of evidence that brought justice for Colleen Stan.

A Free Woman

Janice Hooker is a free woman and has been since the mid-1980s. She was separated from Cameron and filed for divorce shortly after the trial. Due to the nature of the case and the intense public interest, Janice Hooker has largely disappeared from the public eye. She is known to have relocated and lives a private life. Her current location and occupation are not publicly disclosed, allowing her to maintain a low profile after her involvement in the horrific events.

The Moral Debate

Janice Hooker's immunity remains a subject of intense moral debate among true crime enthusiasts and legal scholars. While she was an accomplice in the initial kidnapping and the subsequent abuse, her decision to testify and help Stan escape was pivotal. Without her cooperation, Cameron Hooker might not have been convicted, and Colleen Stan's seven-year ordeal might have gone unpunished. Her freedom is a direct result of that crucial cooperation, allowing justice to be served to the primary perpetrator.