Shasta Groene loses home to fire
Photo courtesy GoFundMe Burned items rest on the floor of Shasta Groene's Nampa home that was destroyed in a fire this week.
NAMPA — Shasta Groene, known throughout the Pacific Northwest as the little girl who survived a serial killer when she was 8 years old in 2005, is asking for the community’s help.
Nearly 20 years later, Shasta has four children of her own now and tragedy struck again this week as a fire swept through her home in Nampa late Wednesday morning, destroying everything they own.
According to CBS affiliate KBOI, the cause of the fire is under investigation and the Red Cross and the Nampa Fire Fighter Charity Fund are assisting Shasta and her family.
She is also asking for the community’s help with a GoFundMe page that has been set up to help assist the family in temporary housing, clothing, and daily needs and to eventually rebuild the family home.
"Together, we can help them rebuild not just their home, but their lives," it says on the GoFundMe page. "Thank you for your generosity, your prayers and your support."
Donations and words of encouragement were coming in.
"Shasta continues to be a symbol of hope and strength in the face of unspeakable devastation. She and her family deserve our support," wrote Sandra Clark.
"Shasta has had more than her share of misfortune. God bless her and her family," wrote Linda Morrison.
"You have a place in my heart forever, Shasta. I'm always inspired by you," wrote Renee Vande Caveye. "All my love and positivity is aimed in your direction. Here's to hoping for a beautiful, fresh start."
As of Friday afternoon, $18,345 has been raised of a $100,000 goal.
Joseph Edward Duncan, 58, a convicted serial killer on death row, died in March 2021 at a hospital in Indiana, authorities said. Duncan had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
Duncan was sentenced to death in 2008 following his conviction for the May 2005 slayings of Brenda Groene, her boyfriend and her 13-year-old son at their Wolf Lodge Bay-area home. Duncan abducted 8-year-old Shasta Groene and Dylan Groene, 9. Shasta was rescued at a Denny's in Coeur d'Alene seven weeks later, where Duncan was arrested. Dylan's remains were found near St. Regis, Mont.
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The Coeur d'Alene Press contributed to this report.