Wordle saves lives
A grandmother from Chicago was rescued from a 17-hour hostage situation after police were alerted to the problem thanks to Wordle – yes, the word game.
The 80-year-old Illinois resident was at home on February 5 when a naked man struggling with his mental health broke into her home armed with a pair of scissors. James H. Davis III, 32, was bleeding after climbing through the lady’s broken window.
EXCLUSIVE: Man holds 80 year-old suburban woman hostage for 12+ hours in her home’s basement bathroom.
She remarkably stayed calm, which likely saved her life. It was mind-blowing to hear her tell the story.⬇️ @cbschicago pic.twitter.com/k7vhqH6D2u
— Steven Graves (@StevenGravesTV) February 9, 2022
“I didn’t think I was going to live,” she told CBS. “I was in shock. I was trying to survive.”
Police were alerted to the situation after Holt’s daughter realised something was wrong when she did not receive her mother’s daily Wordle puzzle.
Davis claimed he would not harm the 80-year-old but continued to torment her. While clad in her nightgown, Davis forced the elderly woman to take a warm bath with him. He then took two knives and disconnected phones before locking her in the basement.
In Seattle, Holt’s daughter was becoming increasingly concerned and eventually phoned the police. Officers stormed the house on February 6, where a standoff with Davis led to the naked man being tasered.
One Illinois grandmother’s habit of playing Wordle with her daughter might have saved her from a kidnapping. Like most of us, 80-year-old Denyse Holt has been playing Wordle every day for the last few weeks. pic.twitter.com/wCTAeU2OgC
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) February 10, 2022
Police have since confirmed that Davis now faces a litany of felony charges, including home invasion with a deadly weapon, aggravated kidnapping and assault against a peace officer – which is a term that relates to probation officers, prison guards and other law enforcement staff.
“I never thought in a million years this is what was happening, but it was,” she said. “I’m very lucky”.
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