Subject: Please Help My Friend Penny Waldroup Rebuild Her Life And Stay Safe (Before It's Too Late)

Dear friends,

I am writing you today with a heavy heart about someone I care about who is a victim of a brutally violent crime. My friend Penny Waldroup is an incredibly strong & brave woman. She survived an extremely brutal and life-altering attack--an attack that left her with lasting physical injuries and deep emotional scars. By every account, she should not have survived, but her strength and will to live carried her forward.

Penny's attacker (ex-husband) murdered her best friend, Leslie Bradshaw in front of her and he shot Penny multiple times as she tried to escape. He cut Penny's face & ear with a knife, he slashed her repeatedly with a machete and attempted to rape her afterwards. Repeated calls to 911 by a worried friend of Penny is what prompted a welfare check by police just in time for Penny to escape and her attacker being arrested. All of this horrendous violence occurred in front of Penny's children.

Penny has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life: Learning to walk confidently again, managing medical care, and doing the difficult work of healing from trauma. Through all of this, she has remained incredibly resilient and determined to create a peaceful and safe future for herself.

Below are links that tell Penny's story....

A Tennessee Woman Survived A Vicious Attack

Murder on Kimsey Mountain

Unfortunately, her attacker (ex-husband) is scheduled to be released from prison on May 2, 2026. For Penny, this is not just a date on a calendar-it is the return of a very real and immediate threat.

Despite her petition for a Lifetime Order of Protection, she cannot rely on this alone. To stay safe, Penny needs to relocate, change her environment, and secure housing in a place where she can feel protected under the TN Safe At Home Program .

This is where I'm asking for your help.

I started this GoFundMe for Penny, to cover the costs of:

Safe relocation and emergency moving expenses

Secure housing in a new location

Ongoing trauma-recovery support

Self-defense training

Security system (cameras & motion surveillance)

Basic living expenses while she reestablishes stability

Every contribution-no matter the amount-helps her take one more step toward safety and peace. If you can give, please do. If you cannot donate, sharing this message with people who may be able to help is just as meaningful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for caring about Penny's safety, dignity, and future. Your support will help her finally move toward a future not defined by fear but by hope.

With gratitude,

Renee