Md. Friend Of American Killed By Somali Pirates Speaks Out
COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) — Piracy on the high seas. There's been another attempted attack on a ship. This time the pirates were fended by off armed guards when they tried to overtake a Danish-owned ship. It comes days after suspected Somali pirates captured a Danish yacht in the Indian Ocean. Just weeks ago, four Americans were captured and later killed by pirates off the coast of Somalia.
Denise Koch met a close friend of one of the victims who lives here in Cockeysville.
When pirates off the coast of Somalia killed four Americans, including Jean Adams and her husband Scott, the shock felt around the world struck home for a woman in Cockeysville.
Debbie Vinson was a hygienist in Jean Adams' busy dental practice in Los Angeles. She baby-sat Jean's children and considered her a friend and a mentor.
"I just love her so much. I really do," Vinson said.
Jean Adams had a successful career as a dentist, but her priorities changed after she went to church with Vinson. There she had a religious experience which eventually caused her to give up her practice and sail the world with her husband and friends on a mission to hand out Bibles.
"She said 'Debbie, I want you to know you did something for me,'" Vinson said. "And she said 'You just brought so much joy to my life.'"
Seven years ago, the Adams' set out on the high seas.
Jean, Scott and two friends were in the Indian Ocean when they were attacked by Somali pirates. For four days Vinson sat in her Cockeysville apartment waiting for good news. Instead she learned her friend was dead.
"I just got so sick that I couldn't function," Vinson said. "You know I had prayed for a miracle."
When asked how she thinks her friend handled being held hostage, Vinson said: "I can tell you she was a very strong woman."
"I believe she was just saying 'God I'm doing this for you and whichever way you take me here I am,'" Vinson said.
Vinson stayed close to Jean Adams after moving to Maryland, following her adventures around the world on Facebook. She treasures the pictures Adams sent her.
"I am so happy I could share the goodness of how this lady was," Vinson said.
It's still not clear when Adams and the other victims will make it home for burial.
