Real Estate Agent Credits God, Safety Class For Saving Life

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- About six months ago, a local real estate agent was attacked by a man as she showed him some property. She got away unharmed and she partly credits her survival to a safety class.

Sheriffs deputies said the man who attacked Rachelle Weiss, (pictured, left), targeted her when he saw her picture in a real estate ad. Little did he know that he was picking the wrong agent to tangle with.

"I pretty much felt like he was going to rape me and kill me," Weiss told KERO.

Weiss was alone in a remote area of Frazier Mountain when deputies said she was attacked by a man posing as a client. She bit his arm to get loose, then escaped from the car.

"When I ran away, I ripped off my necklace and threw it. I kicked my shoes off and then as I was hiking through the mountains, it took me about four hours to get to the bottom," Weiss explained.

Weiss remembered what she learned in a personal safety class for agents -- if you ever feel like you're about to be murdered, try and leave evidence for police.

"I pulled out my hair and wrapped it around tree branches," Weiss said. "I thank the Lord for saving me. He definitely sent his angels to protect me that day."

Weiss also gives some credit to the class.

Sandy Morris is the safety instructor.

"Primarily what we teach is to look for the moment of opportunity so that you can get yourself out of the bad situation if that should happen," Morris told KERO.

Morris taught the class Weiss attended and said she was glad to hear one of her former students was able to use some of what she learned to save her life.

"I think that she is here today because she made decisions that put her in a good situation," Morris said.

Sheriff's deputies are still looking for the man who attacked Weiss. They believe his name is Lawrence Bass and he is 53 years old. He is about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 350 pounds.

Weiss's story will be featured in an upcoming episode of "America's Most Wanted."