Lisa Rinna Opens Up About Her Father’s End-of-Life Choice and Mother’s Serial Killer Attack

You think you know Lisa Rinna. She’s the former soap star turned Real Housewife, always dolled up, lip gloss poppin’, and ready to throw down in any scene—or podcast episode. But behind that signature smirk is a family story you won’t believe unless you hear it straight from her mouth.

And that’s exactly what happened on Let’s Not Talk About the Husband, where she shared the jaw-dropping story of how her mother, Lois Rinna, survived an attack by a serial killer.

The Trailside Killer

Before he became known as the “Trailside Killer,” David Carpenter was just a guy who worked in the office with Lois. He stuttered, seemed somewhat awkward, but appeared normal with a wife, a baby, and a job. Nothing about him screamed “murderous sociopath.”

Until the day he offered Lois a ride.

She was 30 years old and on her way to a dentist appointment in San Francisco. He pulled up and insisted she come see his new baby. She politely declined, but eventually, she agreed.

That’s when the mask came off.

“He starts talking to her,” Lisa recalled, “and he’s not stuttering anymore. That’s when she knew something was really wrong.” When Lois asked him what was happening, Carpenter replied, “I don’t know, Lois, sometimes something funny comes over me.”

By then, he was driving her deep into the isolated Presidio military base. What happened next is something straight out of a horror film.

He straddled her in the front seat, pulled a knife from the glove box, and lunged. Lois grabbed the blade with her bare hands—slicing her fingers so badly they were left dangling—and fought for her life

Then he grabbed a hammer and started beating her in the head.

The turning point came when a military policeman, who had seen them drive down that empty road, arrived at the scene. Carpenter heard the car, panicked, and tried to finish his attack. But the MP arrived, shot Carpenter in the stomach, and saved Lois’s life.

Somehow, she survived. Head injuries. Mutilated hands. Shock. She spent months in the hospital, had metal plates put in her head, and never regained her sense of smell. She kept this trauma from Lisa until she was 18.

And David Carpenter? He got a measly six years in prison for attacking Lois. When he got out, he went on to become one of California’s most prolific serial killers—responsible for the deaths of at least ten people. However, some law enforcement officials think he may be responsible for as many as 25 murders.

Lois was one of only two people who had escaped his grip. She later testified against him at his death penalty trial, facing him directly in court.

Lois Rinna: More than a survivor

Remarkably, Lois didn’t let this define her. Lisa described her as a “walking billboard for overcoming adversity.” Even after suffering a stroke later in life, Lois found unexpected peace. “The stroke took away the part of her brain that was judgmental and fearful,” Lisa said. “She would say, ‘It changed my life for the better.’”

Lois passed away in 2021 from cancer, surrounded by family. But the story doesn’t end there.

Frank Rinna: A life—and death—on his terms

Lisa’s dad, Frank Rinna, was the quieter counterpart to Lois’s quiet strength—a steady presence. After Lois survived the unimaginable, Frank supported her through recovery, marriage, raising Lisa, and their final years together.

And when facing his own mortality, Frank made another brave decision: to end his life through Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act.

“He was in pain. He was done,” Lisa said on the podcast. “He followed all the protocols. Two doctors had to sign off. He had to pick up the medication himself. He had to take it himself. It was very structured.”

When the time came, they played Frank Sinatra as sunlight streamed through the window. He mixed the medication with orange juice and drank it. Within 45 minutes, he peacefully fell asleep with his daughter by his side.

Lisa described the experience as “humane.” There was no pain, no panic, just a man departing on his own terms.

A legacy of resilience

Lisa often jokes about being “fucked up” in the way only someone raised in quiet fear and quiet strength can say. Her mother locked every door. Her childhood home was like Fort Knox. Trauma permeated their lives, even when unspoken until much later.

But Lois and Frank gave her the most powerful gift a parent can give: endurance. Grace under pressure. The ability to keep going when the worst thing happens—and then the next worst thing—and to still dance, smile, and show up for life.

Lisa may be the loud one, the glam one, the headline-maker. But her parents? They were the kind of brave you don’t see on magazine covers.

Lois fought off a serial killer with a knife in her hand and a hammer to her head. Frank took his last breath listening to Sinatra, after giving death one final, dignified nod.

In a world full of talkers and posers, the Rinna family story reminds us that true grit doesn’t always scream. Sometimes, it just survives. Quietly. Fiercely. With its purse in one hand and its dignity in the other.

If you or someone you love is considering end-of-life options, please know that every journey is personal. Assisted suicide is legal in some states under strict conditions, but it isn’t for everyone. If this topic raises questions or feelings, speak with a healthcare provider, counselor, or support group. You’re not alone.