Episode 87 Kymberlee Larsen
Episode 87 Kymberlee Larsen
In early 2018, 22-year-old Kymberlee Larsen seemed to have a lot going for her. She had recently given birth to her son, Donovan, and she was living in Meridian, Idaho with Donovan’s father, Evan Bashir.
Things were looking good for the young family, but in March of 2018, Evan abused Kym for the first time, and she was not going to let there be a second time. She fled their home and took her young son to stay at her sister Chelsea’s home in Nampa. But only days later, Evan showed up at the home and the unthinkable happened. Evan forced his way in and attacked Kym, her sister Chelsea, and their mom Julianna with a machete while 3 young children nearby. It was like something out of a horror movie and when the carnage was finally over, Kym was dead, and her mother and sister were seriously wounded.
Evan Bashir was dead as well after being shot by police responding to the scene. In the aftermath, Kym’s family was left to wonder why this all happened, and they asked themselves if they could have done anything to prevent this terrible act of domestic violence.
In this episode. Chelsea and Julianna discuss the tragic events of that day, and their efforts to fight for the lives of everyone in the home that day. They also discuss their newest efforts to prevent domestic violence and help others escape Kym’s fate.
If you or someone you know is in danger due to domestic violence you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233). You can also call RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
A message from Kym’s Sister, Chelsea:
Hello there!
I apologize for the delay in getting this information to you! Hopefully, I’m not too late! A little recap about our cause:
We are a network of Family Oriented Resources for the Young, Old & Under-served. We help connect people to the community resources best suited to meet their specific needs. We work with resource providers through other organizations, businesses, and individuals who offer programs and services aligned with our mission to reduce violence, heal trauma and support people through major life transitions. KYMfest is a family festival that brings these resources to the people along with local businesses, influential speakers, kids activities and performing artists for a day of learning, connection and fun.
#KindYourMind is our motto. An adaptation of Kym’s name, “Kind Your Mind” reminds people to adopt kindness over violence, and have compassion and grace for everyone’s healing process including your own. We promote a shift away from the judgement, blame and shame that often hinders people in seeking help and instead bringing mindfulness and love into the forefront of our way of being.
After the murder of Kym, we realized the truth behind the saying, “hurt people hurt people” and decided to do what we can to break the stigmas around mental and emotional health. Evan felt hopeless, defeated and downright worthless to himself and others. He had a long history of being an outcast of his family, suffering childhood traumas, struggling with mental illness and addiction through his adult life, and his severe lack of ability to keep a job or make major life accomplishments. The stress of his new role as father to Kym’s son was overwhelming.
Without a network of support and community care behind him, and with the weight of his lifestyle and negative behaviors catching up to him, the stress finally broke him. He got violent, she got out. He decided he couldn’t live without her. He took her out with him in a tragic suicide mission. The aftermath of this unexpected turn of events left our family reeling and overwhelmed. But one thing I knew was that people are being pushed every day to this breaking point due to a high amount of compounded stress and very little outlets.
We hope to be an outlet and an avenue to a better life. Healing is not a one-size-fits-all process. For You Network aims to meet people where they are in their journey and bridge the gap between how they can access what resources are out there. We are here to help. We are here for you!
Although we are Idaho-based right now, I hope to be able to expand this model of community care to the broader nation and world so that everyone might gain the access and awareness to what’s available to support them through major life transitions.
Here are the best ways to get involved in our nonprofit organization, For You Network, Inc. and our annual outreach event, KYMfest (aka the KindYourMind Festival) and our #KindYourMind Movement
Links of importance: Our organization’s website is coming this summer! see our basic landing page here—
Kymfest shares details about the upcoming in-person (socially distanced/drive-thru) festival on August 8th
ways to donate: through paypal via one of these 2 links—#1 OR
#2
Or by direct deposit into our For You Network, Inc. ICCU bank account.
We are still accepting vendors and sponsors at KYMfest. You can register here.
Come experience the KindYourMind Festival if you happen to be in the Boise, Idaho area, we are located about 15 miles outside of Boise and serve the entire Treasure Valley.
Any contribution, big or small helps to bring our vision into reality.
Thank you again for having us on your podcast! We appreciate your efforts to raise awareness on the impact of violence.
Chelsea Larsen
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