Acid Attack Was Self-Inflicted, Vancouver Police Say

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A woman who said a stranger splashed acid on her face in downtown Vancouver admitted her injuries were self-inflicted, police said.

During a news conference Thursday, Vancouver officers said Bethany Storro confessed after a search of her parent's home, where she lives.

Police did not specify what was found during the search, but said they did not find any acid-like substances.

Commander Marla Schuman said Storro was remorseful and had made statements about her motive, but police did not give details.

"She is extremely upset. She’s very remorseful and, in many ways, this is something that got bigger than she expected. So, she has shown that this has affected her a great deal," Schuman said.

Detectives said they spent about 100 hours on the investigation and gradually found inconsistencies, including the splash pattern of the liquid on her face.

Storro told police she was heading to a Starbucks store Aug. 30 when a woman approached and said, "Hey pretty girl, do you want to drink this?" then splashed acid in her face.

The 28-year-old underwent surgery for severe burns and was released from Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland on Sept. 6.

A newly-purchased pair of sunglasses saved her vision, Storro said during a news conference earlier this month.

"It's hard finding sunglasses that are cute. I finally found a pair that I liked … so I went and bought them. That was 20 minutes before the acid was thrown in my face," Storro said on Sept. 2. "I have never, ever seen this girl in my entire life. When I first saw her, she had this weirdness about her - like jealousy, rage."

Storro described her attacker as a black woman in her late 20s with a pony tail, and police released a sketch to the public. Officers said Wednesday they received 100 tips in the case.

Storro had described herself as a happy person who likes making others laugh and she said she's blessed with "amazing family and friends who love me." As a child, she said she partially lost her hearing while suffering from spinal meningitis. -via-