The Story of Mackenzie Holland

This is the story of Mackenzie Holland that she graciously shared with us. Please note that she wrote this, and is not a member of the EBA team.

*Unsettling and potentially triggering content is featured*

“On May 2nd of 2021, I was a sexually assaulted, and a victim of attempted rape. I was staying over at a friends house for her birthday. There was a large group of people staying there ranging from our friends to her older sisters. Lots of people were also mutual friends of friends. One of these attendees being a long time friend and ex boyfriend, Ryan Anderson.

Drinking was happening at this party. I had indulged a little bit as well as my best friend who I had gone with. Originally I did not plan on staying but when my friend was ready to go and our ride I was there I decided to stay behind due to having a good time with people I hadn’t seen in some time. When we began winding down, the girls and I went into the birthday girl’s room. Some on the floor, and me and my friend in her bed.

Ryan ended up coming into the room and laying next to me in the bed because his room was occupied so he wanted to wait in the room I was in. I told him he needed to leave once his room was available again. I fell asleep and he stayed up watching stuff on his phone. I was abruptly woken up to his fingers inside me and him grinding his body against me. I tried waking up my friend next to me but it didn’t work. I tried moving away but he pulled closer. I fell into fawn mode. He then pulled down my pants and tried to have sex with me anally. Someone opened the door so he pretended to be asleep. During this I pretended to wake up, I pulled up my pants and walked out of the room immediately, in tears, trying to find my friend’s sister.

He was kicked out. He refused to leave without his stuff so I went into the room got his belt, and socks, then threw them at him and told him to get out. He wouldn’t leave so I took it upon myself to try to physically remove him. He attempted to body slam me into a coffee table but a friend’s boyfriend intervened, so it was just into the arm of the couch. He then broke into my friends car and slept in her passenger seat. I could feel that he hadn’t left so a few of us went to check. I see her car light on and him in the seat. We woke her up and attempted to remove him. My friend and I were then met with violent kicks, and punches. I called the cops finally.

We went to court and MY TEAM gave him a plea where he only had to attend therapy, and not assault someone until his birthday. If he complied he wouldn’t be charged. They accepted. My impact statement was never even read in court, I was also the only person who didn’t get to speak on stand. My team made the decision right before I was supposed to.

Two years later on July 16th of 2023, Ryan would anally rape his new girlfriend then murder her with his best friend Dylan Simmons after she spoke out. A group of Darisha’s brothers friends and her met with them at a park. No one knew that they would be leaving without her. Ryan and Dylan drove over her 3 times. Dylan continues to claim it as self-defense. What defense does Darisha have against a car? Darisha Bailey Vath lost her life because of his actions and the courts failure to see Ryan as the vial monster he is.

We continue to share Darisha’s story because he was never charged for her death or rape. Ryan Howard continues to walk freely. Dylan being the driver of the vehicle continues to sit in jail since that night awaiting trial. Ryan gets zero consequences for any of his actions.
He was not my first assaulter but he unfortunately holds the largest grasp on me. I wasn’t his first or last victim and Darisha won’t be either. She can’t share her story but it deserves to be heard.”