A woman spoke out months after she said she was raped inside an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale. NBC6’s Kim Wynne reports
A woman spoke out Wednesday morning, months after she said she was raped inside an Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale.
The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, attended a press conference with her attorney and said she wanted justice after the attack completely changed her life.
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WATCH HEREAccording to a lawsuit, the sexual assault happened on Aug. 28, 2024, at an Airbnb rental on Southeast 19th Street.
The victim, who is being referred to as Jane Doe, was cleaning the home that morning after guests had just checked out.
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The lawsuit claims that an intruder broke into the home, flashed a knife then threw the woman to the ground and zip-tied her before she was sexually assaulted and raped.
"On August 28th, my entire life changed. I was simply doing my job. But then someone broke into the house and violated me in the most horrific way imaginable," said Jane Doe.
Months later, the suspect still hasn’t been caught.
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Her attorney said there were two other incidents at the same home weeks before, including a guest who said a laptop was stolen at the property.
A week before the sexual assault, a man broke through a window and locked himself inside the unit after he was found by guests, the lawsuit stated.
"I wish I wasn’t here," the victim said. "I wish this never happened but I’m here but I stand here today to not only speak for myself but for others who have been hurt and who been silenced."
In a statement, Airbnb said there were no guests staying at the listing at the time of the incident.
“We take the safety of our community seriously. We are investigating the incident reported and have suspended the listing from the platform during that time," the company's statement read.
"She was an innocent victim who was raped at an Airbnb here in Fort Lauderdale. Jane Doe was doing her job. Airbnb failed to do theirs," attorney Kim Wald said.
In a statement Wednesday, Fort Lauderdale Police said the suspects in the prior two incidents at the home were ruled out as suspects in the Aug. 28 sexual battery.
Police said their investigation into the incident is ongoing.
