Live to Tell: Krystal's Courage

(CBS News)  Produced by Chris Young

What if someone wants you dead but you live to tell?

It has been 10 years since the night 10-year-old Krystal Surles' throat was slashed after witnessing her friend's murder. In her unflinching account, Krystal recalls the events of that awful night, her incredible journey to recovery and a secret she kept from the public for years. It was her will to survive that ultimately brought a serial killer to justice.

This is her experience. In her words.

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Marque Surles, Krystal's sister: December 1999, I was in first grade. My older sister, Krystal, and I were staying with friends in Del Rio, Texas, waiting for my family in Kansas to move there with us.

I was 7. And my older sister, Krystal, was 10. And we were just moving down to Del Rio, Texas, to start a new life with our family. I remember my sister as being kind of bossy and... the age difference was big. And we just didn't get along very well. We stayed at the Harris family's house. And they had a big family. The oldest son, Sean. Then, Justin, Laurie and Katy.

They lived kind of out in the desert. Like, there wasn't a lot of people close to them. It was off in the middle of nowhere.

I was sleeping directly across the hallway from the room Krystal and Katy were sleeping in. I was gonna sleep on the floor next to the bed, but they didn't want me in there, and I was made to leave.

When I couldn't sleep in the room, I was so mad. And I remember I just laid in bed for, like, two hours just fuming. I was just so mad. I wanted to be in that room.

I woke up to the sun coming through the window. And I sat up and I saw a lady standing in my room that I didn't know. And she just handed me a pair of shorts and a purple tank top and said, "Put this on. We got to go."

Directly, maybe five steps away from my door, was just a stream of blood. It looked like somebody was stumbling, was holding onto things. There was blood on the wall, and just - it was everywhere. And then, there was more outside. I just remember seeing it all the way down the front steps and just off into the street.

I knew somebody was hurt. I saw the blood. I could see everybody crying. Everybody was frantic. I just wanted to know what was going on.

Pam Surles, Marque and Krystal's mother: On Dec. 31, 1999, I had a phone call at close to 6:00 in the morning... as I was preparing to move from Kansas to Texas.

It was Val Verde emergency room asking me for my permission to Life Flight Krystal. She had been attacked. And I said, "Absolutely. Life Flight her. Where?" And they said, "San Antonio." I didn't know anything except that Krystal had had her throat cut.

If I looked her in her eyes, I would know if she was gonna make it.

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[careifucan]

How wonderful this child is, not only to have made it but to put that sorry thing in jail. How brave too stand up to him in court and say that's him. May God bless you with only good things for the rest of your years here on earth you deserve it.

[MalloryDavis]

Another incredible story from an incredibly strong child. That toughness is what we all need in life. To have the ability to forgive, love, create beautiful things and live on.

Krystal your mom and dad love you and are so proud of you. You are a lucky girl just as you said.

[Nikki_4]

You are a beautiful and courageous woman. I wish you all the good things that life can bring.
Your childhood was very similar to mine. Don't let yesterday rob you of a beautiful tomorrow.

[Candlestar56]

Krystal, I'd like to echo many of the other commenters by saying that you are indeed a remarkable person. Your strength in surviving the event, bravely standing up in court to confront the perpetrator to prevent him from doing anything like this again, and then your compassion in not wanting the ultimate vengeance is truly inspiring. Blessings and best wishes for a wonderful life.

[bmw4041]

In answer to some of the emails that questioned where the parents were: Katie's mother was in her bedroom at the other end of the house, this was a split bedroom style home. She was asleep and did not hear anything. Tommy Lynn Sells was very accustomed to doing his dirty work very quietly. Even Krystal did not hear much and she was in the room! The reason she walked to the neighbors was she thought maybe he had killed everyone in the house, not just Katie and she did not want to see it, all she wanted was to get help to whoever was left alive.

I have been very close to this case and KNOW.

[shrek35]

Krystal, you are such an extraordinary human being. I watch 48 hours all the time and I must say that your story is the most moving I have ever witnessed. Your strength is beyond my comprehension and your beauty cannot be described in words. Thank you for sharing. I know that you will only get better as each second passes. I heartily envy the man who wins your heart. God bless.

[csi-lover]

I saw this episode and I only have one question: Why did this idiot slit these girls necks? What was his motive? For someone to come into someone elses house and do this is sick and demented. He belongs on death row. May hell be his final resting spot.

[clarencebev]

The biggest thing that we should be thankful for is that he was stopped dead in his tracks. Another 22 lives, or more, have surely been saved by the most courageous human being on earth.

[DSL8]

Krystal, I am proud of how you handled your tragedy. As I watched your story it reminded me alot of my how your bravery and what happened to granddaughter are quite similar. My granddaughter was being molested by her father. She was only six years old and didn't care how he felt about things. She wanted him to go to jail for what he did. She was eight years old when she stood up in court and told the judge she never wanted him to get out of prison. After he went to prison she then felt safe. Before he went she to had nightmares crying daddy stop, no daddy. She to put away a man that was feared. During the investigations of this guy they found a woman who was very terrified of him and would never come back to this town because of what he did to her.

What happened to her will always be with her but she certainly don't want it to effect her enjoying life. She now 11 years old and all of her classes are gifted. She says the state standardized are easy. I am very proud of her. I hope you story will help others

[clarencebev]

I feel very fortunate to have seen you on TV. I hope you have all the blessings life has to offer from here on. Sorry for your losses. You are beautiful to see and to listen to.