Woman suing parking garage companies after 2009 rape

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - Detectives say a woman was grabbed from behind, then dragged, beaten, and brutally raped in a Boston parking garage.

It happened back in 2009, but now the victim is at the center of one of the biggest legal trials in Boston.

The woman is suing the national garage and hotel chains involved.

She claims they failed to protect or warn her about another rape in that same hotel days earlier.

This civil case has the potential for national implications about the risks people assume when entering parking garages. Tickets often have language on the back that says companies are not liable for what happens inside.

As a warning, the details of this Haverhill woman's rape are horrific.

It happened early in the morning on May 1, 2009, the then-36-year-old was walking in the garage of the former Radisson Hotel in the Theater District when

She was grabbed by her hair and neck, dragged to a stairwell and raped several times while she screamed. Her cries were never answered and she says security never responded.

“There was no one there to help. I screamed and I screamed and I couldn't get away and he threatened to kill me,” Kira Wahlstrom said.

Six years later, Wahlstrom is suing four corporations associated with the  garage alleging they were negligent in managing it and failed to warn that there had been another rape in that same garage just 12 days prior.

Wahlstrom said if she had known, she would've never parked there.

A FOX25 camera was inside court Monday, as attorneys for the corporations asked her if she saw signs posted in the garage that offered security escorts.

Those attorneys declined to speak outside of court, citing the ongoing case. Wahlstrom said she's unwilling to be silent, hoping her civil lawsuit will protect others in Boston, and beyond.

“I felt betrayed by a place I had parked all the time and paid money to and expected them to keep it safe. I felt betrayed they took away my right to know and they took away my sense of safety,” she said.

FOX25 reached out to all four companies named in the civil suit, but LAZ Parking was the only one to immediately respond.

"No one should have to experience a violent attack like this, and we are saddened that this happened to Ms. Wahlstrom. LAZ Parking was not responsible for providing security at the facility. Our contract was limited to financial auditing and marketing services provided off-site,” a statement said.

Wahlstrom’s rapist pleaded guilty at the onset of the criminal trial and is serving time.

The civil case continues Tuesday in Suffolk Superior Court.

Cox Media Group