Catherine Lansing is a victim of torture and attempted murder.
History[]
Catherine divorced her ex-husband Roger because of his violence and cocaine addictions, which her parents always insisted upon because of their well-based disapproval. Roger continued to obsessively send her flowers and letters, despite her preference to be left alone and not associate with Roger. In the meantime, Catherine decided to date again.
Catherine was found in her apartment, severely mutilated from physical and sexual torture. She narrowly avoided death from successful surgeries and other efforts by the hospital. A postal worker was killed outside her apartment as a witness. Catherine didn't know who could've been responsible, but she was left with long-lasting, severe PTSD as a result.
A serial killer named Matt Bergstrom was arrested and took a plea to the crimes. However, he wasn't guilty, and his false confession was used in a deal so he wasn't charged with the torture-murders of women he was guilty of. This was proven when the killer left a threatening note outside of Catherine's door. While Bergstrom was imprisoned after confessing to another murder to avoid extradition and a possible death penalty, Roger's new girlfriend, Michelle Ashford, and her brother Michael were arrested.
Because Roger never got over Catherine, Michelle got jealous and sent Michael to maim her to death, getting her out of the way as competition while disguising the motive. Michael killed the postman with a woodworking tool when he interrupted the torture, fleeing from the scene, with Michelle and Michael arranging the note as insurance to keep her away. Because the postal worker's murder is a federal felony, the siblings were convicted in federal court. (L&O: "Agony")