Acid attack victim cancels Oprah appearance

A spokesperson for Harpo Productions today confirmed a report Bethany Storro, who said she was the victim of an Aug. 30 acid attack, has canceled her upcoming appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Storro was scheduled to appear on Thursday.

“She canceled her appearance last night,” the spokesperson said by phone.

Storro’s decision to back out of the appearance came amid speculation her wounds may have been self-inflicted.

Asked Thursday night whether police detectives have considered that possibility, Detective Sgt. Scott Creager told The Columbian that he couldn’t discuss it. The reasons will become clear later, he said.

Police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said Thursday that various news outlets are the only ones that raised the question of whether Storro’s burns were self-inflicted and said, “We don’t have any evidence that shows that. She’s the witness that’s provided us the most information.”

She added, “We have not had reports of that other than speculation.”

Storro has described an assailant who, in a random attack, walked up and threw acid in her face on Columbia Street just north of Esther Short Park about 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 30.

She has said her attacker was “pretty” and said she thinks she had three piercings at the top of her left ear. She said the young woman was black, wore no makeup, and had black hair pulled into a ponytail. Storro said the woman was approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. She was wearing a green top and khaki shorts. Police said the assailant may be slightly built.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Wally Stefan at 360-487-7425.