Florence “Sally” Horner: A Tragic Story of Abduction and Inspiration
Florence “Sally” Horner lived with her widowed mother, Ella Horner, at 944 Linden Street in North Camden when, in June 1948, she was abducted by Frank LaSalle. LaSalle, a 50-year-old convicted pedophile, held Sally captive for 21 months, taking her across the country before she managed to contact authorities. Following her rescue, LaSalle was extradited to New Jersey and imprisoned at Trenton State Prison, where he died in 1966.
Sally returned home after her harrowing ordeal but faced another tragedy just a few years later. In 1952, she died in an automobile accident.
Cultural Significance
Sally Horner's abduction and its surrounding circumstances reportedly influenced Russian-born novelist Vladimir Nabokov. Her story is believed to have inspired aspects of his novel Lolita, particularly in its exploration of manipulation and captivity.
Further Reading
In November 2014, Sarah Weinman published a comprehensive article titled The Real Lolita in the online Hazlitt magazine. This piece provides an in-depth account of Sally's abduction, details about the individuals involved, and the aftermath of the events. The article also features high-quality images and is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about this tragic case and its cultural impact.
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Florence “Sally” Horner
Florence “Sally” Horner: A Tragic Story of Abduction and Inspiration Florence “Sally” Horner lived with her widowed mother, Ella Horner, at 944 Linden Street in North Camden when, in June 1948, she was abducted by Frank LaSalle. LaSalle, a 50-year-old convicted pedophile, held Sally captive for 21 months, taking her across the country before she…
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Sally Horner Death
This comes from an unidentified paper August 20, 1952. Woodbine, N.J. — Sally Horner, 15-year-old Camden, N. J. girl who spent 21 months as the captive of a middle-aged morals offender a few years ago, was killed in a highway mishap early Monday. Sally vanished from her Camden home in 1948 and wasn't heard from…
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Girl, 12, Says She Lived With Abductor, 56, Two Years Through Fear She’d Be Arrested
Washington Post – March 23, 1950 San Jose, Calif, March 22, 1950, (UP). Twelve-year-old Sally Horner accused a former convict today of forcing her to live with him nearly two years by threatening to send her to prison for the theft of a dime-store notebook. Mann Act charges were lodged against Frank LaSalle, 56 after…
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Sally Horner INS Press Release
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 23, 1950 — (INS) — A 52-year-old mechanic with a long record of morals offenses faced a multiplicity of charges today for making a common law "child bride" at the bobby-soxer he is accused of abducting. Frank La Salle was arraigned before U. S. Commissioner Marshall Hall yesterday on a Mann…
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Sally Horner Associated Press Release 1
This comes from an unidentified paper. SAN JOSE, Calif., March 22, 1950 (AP) — A hawk-faced New Jersey sex criminal was held for the FBI today, accused at forcing a 13-year-old schoolgirl to flee from her family, having sexual relations with him and travel across the country with him. The girl missing for nearly two…
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Sally Horner Associated Press Release 2
This comes from an unidentified paper SAN JOSE, Calif., March 22, 1950 (AP) — A plump little girl of 13 told police today she accompanied a 52-year-old man on a two-year tour of the country, in fear he would expose her as a shop-lifter. The girl, Florence Sally Horner of Camden, N. J., was found…
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