Support for beaten woman

Photo: Google Street View

An elderly woman was found badly beaten on the Bear Lake Main Forest Service Road.

A friend of a 79-year-old woman who was beaten and “left for dead” on a forest service road Monday night has started a GoFundMe campaign, as the elderly woman recovers in hospital.

The woman was found badly beaten on Bear Lake Main Forest Service Road near Westside Road about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Police said a person “who was well known to her” was arrested, and 60-year-old Kevin Lee Barrett has since been charged with attempted murder.

On Thursday, Lori Flamand-Rapp, office manager at Westview Village Mobile Home Park, started a GoFundMe campaign for Ellie Holmes, the elderly woman who was attacked. Holmes lives at Westview Village.

“Ellie comes into my office often just to come and say hi and brighten my day and tell me her life stories,” Flamand-Rapp wrote on the fundraising page.

“Even though Ellie didn't have any money, she always tried hard to keep her yard nice with what she had. Ellie would plant flowers wherever she could.”

Flamand-Rapp says she visited Holmes in hospital Thursday.

"I walked in and saw this beautiful woman with a big, bright, toothless smile," Flamand-Rapp said, adding Holmes doesn't know where her dentures ended up after the alleged assault. 

Flamand-Rapp documented some of the financial issues Holmes is facing, including several repairs needed on her home. She also said Holmes will be needing surgery once she heals more.

As of Friday morning, just 12 hours after the fundraising page was set up, almost $1,300 has been raised by 17 people. Flamand-Rapp also says she's received offers to help repair Holmes' home, as well as offers to help cook and bake for her while she recovers.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Flamand-Rapp said.