Alison Connolly suffered a tragic life, enduring abuse from her father before meeting a grim fate at the hands of two ruthless sisters. Tara, Alison’s daughter, also a victim of the same abuse, holds her grandfather responsible for the turmoil that led to her mother’s untimely death.
Courageously, Tara sought justice by confronting her grandfather before her mother’s funeral, capturing a confession that led to his imprisonment alongside the sisters who viciously attacked and killed Alison. Now aged 39, Tara has penned a book detailing her journey to justice and has dedicated herself to aiding families impacted by similar tragedies.
Alison Connolly, a mother of eight, was brutally assaulted by Charice and Amberstasia Gassmann in May 2015. Charice received a life sentence with a minimum term of 19 years, while Amberstasia was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter.
Tara disclosed that her mother was a victim of childhood sexual abuse by her father, a secret Alison never revealed. Tara herself suffered abuse from her grandfather, leading her to keep silent for fear of repercussions. Despite her own struggles, Alison ensured her children were cared for and loved, shielding them from the pain she endured.
Tara’s resolve was further tested when her family faced harassment from two local sisters, culminating in a fatal attack on Alison in 2015. Following the tragic loss, Tara confronted her grandfather about the abuse, setting off a chain of events that eventually brought him to justice.
In a harrowing turn of events, Tara’s grandfather was convicted of sexually abusing multiple children over four decades, serving a 19-year sentence before passing away in prison in 2022. Tara, recognizing the importance of speaking out, now works as a counselor to aid families affected by similar trauma.
Through her book “The Reckoning,” Tara shares her story of resilience and determination, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice and breaking the cycle of abuse. Tara’s children, Shania and Brandon, have been her pillars of support, as she continues to honor her mother’s memory by advocating for healing and empowerment.