LOCAL

Larry Nassar 'groomed the entire community,' Holt resident says

Eric Lacy
Lansing State Journal

HOLT -- Pastor Noel Heikkinen describes his weekend services at Riverview Church as a place for anyone affected by a tragedy.

That may be needed more than ever.

The church is in the Holt community where Larry Nassar lived, built his reputation as a world-renowned sports medicine doctor and even ran for school board while facing sexual assault allegations. 

“This is one of those tender times in our community where we have to be very loving," Heikkinen said, "and we get an opportunity because of this to call sin sin and call wickedness wickedness.”

The entrance sign to Holt, Mich. sits off on the side of Holt Road. This community of over 20,000 lies south of Lansing.

Nassar, 54, formerly of Holt, was sentenced Wednesday to 40 to 175 years in prison for multiple sexual assault charges, most related to assaults on his patients.

The magnitude of Nassar's predatory acts and the damage he's caused this community of over 20,000, south of Lansing, has residents searching for answers.

Many want a time to heal, opportunities to educate each other about sexual assault and eventually, when appropriate, a sense of normalcy.

"I think our image is such now where we’re feeling a little downcast," Delhi Township Supervisor John Hayhoe said, "and we're almost afraid to be from Holt." 

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Both Heikkinen and Hayhoe live in Holt, have followed the Nassar case regularly and said they want to make sure nothing they say or do does more harm than good at such a sensitive time. 

Last weekend, Heikkinen had over 2,700 people at his services held in Holt. He also has services each Sunday night inside the Student Union on Michigan State University's campus. 

Heikkinen said he became aware last week of at least four female members of his congregation who were sexually abused by Nassar. 

Hayhoe, as an elected official, struggles to find the proper response and actions.

He's open to having the township host a public forum or attempt to offer more resources, but wonders if it's best to just stay focused on day-to-day things like streets, sidewalks and parks. 

“I don’t want to step in and do something that would make the situation worse," Hayhoe said. 

Before Nassar faced criminal charges, he was the administrator of a Facebook group called Holt Community Matters. 

He was known for discussing Holt Public Schools topics, including the district's decision to move ninth grade students to its main campus.

Nassar put on a facade that he cared for the community and was a protector of children, said Rhonda Fenby-Morse, a former member of the group. 

Those actions, coupled with his pedigree as a medical healer generous with his time, have Fenby-Morse still feeling betrayed. 

Fenby-Morse, 53, has two daughters ages 17 and 28. She remains stunned that some Holt residents still believe Nassar didn't commit any crimes. 

For Holt to truly get past this nightmare, it must foster a culture of accountability, honesty and respect, Fenby-Morse said.

“This is far more prevalent than (Nassar apologists) would like to believe," Fenby-Morse said of sexual assault. "There’s a lot of victim shaming. Most people don’t understand the grooming process that predators go through and Larry was a master groomer.

"He groomed the entire community.”

Gale Gray (right) sits with his wife Sandy Gray (left), discussing their thoughts on the latest Larry Nassar developments and how they’ve impacted the Holt community.

Candidate and criminal

In fall 2016, Nassar was running for the Holt Public Schools' Board of Education.

At the time, Nassar faced allegations of sexual abuse by Rachael Denhollander, a former gymnast.

He first had been relieved by Michigan State University of his clinical and patient duties and then was fired on Sept. 20. 

In the Nov. 8 election, he placed third with 3,426 votes for two available board seats. 

On Nov. 21, he was charged with sexual assault involving a minor under age 13. Within three months, there would be nearly two dozen charges.

Calls to the candidates who ran against him, Laura Colligan and Ben Bakken'sweren't returned.

Now, 14 months after that election, Holt Superintendent David Hornak is encouraging anyone who may have been assaulted by Nassar on school property to come forward.

The district's investigation was made public Wednesday in Hornak's letter to parents, staffers and others. 

In an email Thursday to the Lansing State Journal, Hornak said the district was made aware this week that Nassar abused three women — "former students of Holt and a neighboring district" — on district property. 

Hornak declined to say what type of feedback he's received since the letter was sent, but said the district respects the ongoing investigation and "privacy of these victims." 

Steven Marvin stands at the front desk of his salon and spa in Holt.

For Holt's Gale and Sandy Gray, the Nassar case is a lesson in the importance of listening and asking more questions.

The Dimondale couple have been visiting the Holt Biggby for coffee and a reading nook for a handful of years. They said recently it hasn’t been unusual for conversations within the coffee shop or at a restaurant to center on Nassar.

“The whole thing is making people more aware and probably more girls and women are speaking their piece,” Gale Gray said.

Steven Marvin, owner of Steven L. Marvin Salon in Holt, said its “ridiculous” how long Nassar’s actions stayed hidden. He said he was horrified to hear that Holt schools were implicated in the scandal.

“I think everyone’s kind of shocked because he was trusted,” Marvin said.

Dave Bennett has lived in Holt for more than 50 years, and the effect Nassar’s crimes have had on the community are apparent, he said.

“Absolutely, I think it impacts everybody,” Bennett said. “I was born and raised at Michigan State.”

Bennett said he’s saddened that the young women who came forward were let down by the adults they should have been able to trust.

“I think it’s really sad that he’s ruined so many people and Michigan State,” he said. “Reputations are hard to repair.”

Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy. Contact Reporter Beth LeBlanc at 517-377-1167 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @LSJBethLeBlanc.