Lisa Rinna recently revisited a harrowing chapter from her late mother’s past, recalling how Lois Rinna survived a brutal attack by a man who would later be identified as the notorious serial killer David Carpenter.
Speaking on the March 28 episode of her Let’s Not Talk About the Husband podcast, the actress and reality star shared that Lois, at the age of 30, had narrowly escaped death at the hands of Carpenter, who was later convicted of multiple murders. Rinna explained that her mother had known Carpenter professionally and had initially accepted a ride from him in San Francisco, unaware of the danger ahead.
During the drive, Lois sensed something was wrong when Carpenter, known for his stutter, suddenly spoke fluently. She questioned his behavior, prompting him to admit that “something funny” sometimes overcame him. He then drove her to a secluded area, pulled a knife from his glove compartment, and launched a violent attack.
Lois sustained severe injuries, including deep cuts to her fingers as she attempted to defend herself. Carpenter then struck her multiple times with a hammer. Her survival came down to a moment of chance—a military policeman happened to arrive on the scene, shooting Carpenter in the stomach and putting an end to the assault.
Lois spent three months in the hospital recovering, later testifying against Carpenter when he stood trial for a killing spree that began in 1979. Rinna reflected on the incident’s impact, noting that it instilled in her a deep sense of caution, shaping the way she navigates the world.
