Woman survived Appalachian Trail stabbing by playing dead and hiking to safety, police say

A woman played dead then hiked six miles to safety after being stabbed by a man who allegedly killed a fellow hiker and threatened others, police say of a scene that unfolded over the weekend on the Appalachian Trail in southwestern Virginia.

James Jordan, 30, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, faces murder and assault charges in connection with the attack late Friday and early Saturday.

A judge on Monday ordered the man undergo a psychiatric evaluation and be held in custody. The man's public defender declined to comment to reporters.

According to federal authorities, the man used the trail nickname of "Sovereign" and repeatedly threatened the four hikers he attacked over the weekend. 

Jordan was known to authorities who had arrested him after he allegedly made threats a month before to other hikers.

According to an arrest affidavit, Jordan approached the group in a "disturbed and unstable" manner, playing guitar and singing. 

"Jordan spoke to the hikers through their tents, and threatened to pour gasoline on their tents and burn them to death," the affidavit says.  

The hikers, fearing Jordan and his erratic behavior, packed up and tried to leave, but were chased, the affidavit says.

One couple managed to escape, but the other two hikers were attacked. The affidavit says Jordan caught the man first and stabbed him until he fell. The woman was then stabbed multiple times

According to authorities, the woman — who, along with the victim, was not named — played dead after she fell to the ground. Jordan allegedly then left the scene in search of his dog.

Two hikers then helped the woman, who managed to walk six miles to Smyth County, Virginia, where they called 911.

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Authorities said she remained hospitalized Monday but her condition was not immediately known. CNN reported that officials believe she will survive. 

Sheriff's deputies arrested Jordan last month in Unicoi County, Tennessee, after he allegedly threatened hikers. He was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and criminal impersonation; Jordan pleaded guilty and was later released. 

A judge ordered him not to return to the trail, but Sheriff Mike Hensley said there were no charges in connection with the threats because none of the hikers would testify.

"It’s just heartbreaking that this happened, and our prayers go out to the victims’ families and to this young girl that was stabbed," he said. "I did everything that I could do. I did get this man off the trail. That’s all I could do."