Recovering Prineville stabbing victim speaks out

For Stephanee Bishop, each day is a new step forward, with family, friends and the community supporting her as she continues on her road to recovery.

Bishop sat with NewsChannel 21 for an exclusive interview on Thursday speaking about the January night that changed — and almost cost — her life.

Bishop is dealing with the trauma and damage after being stabbed in the neck, while her friend was stabbed and sexually assaulted.

Anthony James Smith was arrested on Jan 29 on two counts of attempted murder, kidnapping and other charges. Smith is accused of stabbing Bishop and her friend and attempting to sexually assault one of the victims.

Bishop told NewsChannel 21 she and her friend were going outside to get some fresh air. As they were leaving the bedroom, she saw the silhouette of a man hunching behind the couch, and seconds later, they both were attacked by a man who used a pocket knife in his attack.

Bishop said before she could even react, her attacker pushed her against the wall and stabbed her in the neck.

She said she felt like she had been hit with a Taser, because she felt tingles and hot sensation on the side of her neck.

“He missed my carotid artery by millimeters — just barely missed it,” Bishop said Thursday. “He severed my vagus nerve, which controls my swallowing. It can even change my palate.”.

The road to recovery for Bishop has been a rough one, dealing with the scar that reminds her what happened that night.

“I definitely had a low point when I saw the mirror. The reflection is not the same anymore,” she said.

Bishop said she is finding strength with people in the community supporting them by wearing ribbons, keeping her energy positive as her road to recovery continues.

“Just be grateful for every day, thankful that we’re all healthy and alive. Even if today’s cloudy and you don’t feel very well, you’re still alive,” she said.

Smith served five years in the Marines and formerly worked as a security guard at the Facebook data center. He’s currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail. His next court date is April 26.