An A&E, Original Podcast.

This episode contains descriptions of sexual assault and violence.

Listener discretion is advised.

I don't know. She was, she was basically a hero as well because if it wasn't for her

death I wouldn't be free.

Josephina Rivera grew up in the early 80s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised in the foster system.

I had great foster parents. I went to Catholic school. I graduated. I had an amazing childhood, I had everything I could possibly want it.

I went to Temple for a couple years, got an associate degree in accounting.

So the direction I turned in, who knows why.

Probably boredom. Things become interesting and you try different things that are not always good

for you, but we do. And it just kind of took me down a different path that I really shouldn't have been going in.

Just drugs, prostitution.

On November 25th, 1986, then 25 year old Josephina went out looking for clients.

It was just before Thanksgiving,

so she didn't think she would have a very successful night.

And I didn't really want to go out. I knew something was going to happen.

I had a feeling that something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good.

But I went out anyway and I ended up walking down Dry Avenue.

It was dark out.

It was around 8 or 9 o'clock.

It was kind of damp, a little rainy. It wasn't real warm. A car went past me. This great Cadillac went past me a couple times.

He finally pulled over. I went over and talked so I in the car. He was like 6. 1. He had a beer. He wore glasses. He was kind of heavy. He was white.

...