Serial Killer Survivor Stories
The 10-Year-Old Who Stopped a Texas Serial Killer
Tommy Lynn Sells confessed to killing up to 70 people before a young girl brought him to justice.
Krystal Surles was just 10-years-old when serial killer Tommy Lynn Sells slashed her throat and murdered her best friend in front of her. Astonishingly, Krystal was able to play dead so convincingly that the murderer left the property. The young girl then ran a quarter-mile to alert neighbors. Unable to speak, Krystal wrote notes to ask others to summon immediate help. From her hospital bed, she went on to support the police investigation and created a detailed sketch that helped police apprehend her attacker.
Krystal had no idea that she would bring down one of the most prolific serial killers of the time.
It was New Year’s Eve, the turn of the millennium: 31st December 1999. For the Surles and Harris families, it was memorable for the worst of reasons.
Krystal (10) and Marque Surles (7) arrived at their close friend’s home to spend the night. The sisters argued and Krystal insisted that Marque sleep alone in the spare room, leaving Katy Harris (13) and Krystal the bunk beds to themselves.
