Elderly Millionaire Widow's Love Affair with Younger Homeless Man Sparks Family Outrage

Photo by@Courtesy of Carolyn Holland/dailymail.co

• Carolyn Holland, an 80-year-old widow, entered a relationship with Dave Foute, a 57-year-old homeless former drug addict.
• Concerns arose among Carolyn's family about Dave's intentions and her cognitive health, fearing financial exploitation.
• Despite family objections, Carolyn remained in the relationship, leading to legal and emotional conflicts.

The story revolves around Carolyn Holland, an 80-year-old millionaire widow in California, and her romantic involvement with Dave Foute, a 57-year-old homeless handyman with a history of drug addiction and criminal activities.

This unconventional relationship sparked concerns among Carolyn's daughters, Sally and Susan, about potential exploitation due to Carolyn's declining cognitive abilities and early stages of dementia.

Carolyn, who lost her husband in 2015, found companionship with Dave, who moved into her $1.7 million home shortly after they met. Dave, known in their small community for his homelessness and troubled past, raised suspicions among Carolyn's family. They feared he was using her for financial gain, particularly as Carolyn's mental acuity seemed to be waning. Despite not being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Carolyn admitted to being forgetful, intensifying her daughters' worries about her vulnerability and Dave's true intentions.

Carolyn's daughters, living hours away and engaged in their own lives, were especially concerned about their mother's finances and emotional well-being. They believed Carolyn was living in a fantasy world, not fully grasping her vulnerability as an elderly woman. Despite these concerns, Carolyn insisted on her right to make her own decisions, including her relationship with Dave, whom she described as caring and special.

Investigations into Dave's past revealed a history of crystal meth addiction, drug dealing, domestic violence, and child neglect. However, Dave claimed to have reformed, attributing his change to a religious transformation. Carolyn's daughters, still skeptical, considered legal action to protect their mother's assets and declare her mentally unfit. The situation escalated when Carolyn co-signed a credit agreement for a $40,000 van for Dave, against her daughters' wishes.

The family's strife peaked when Carolyn decided to sell one of her properties, further alarming her daughters who suspected Dave's influence over her decisions. Carolyn's health deteriorated, and she eventually passed away after deciding against COVID-19 vaccination, influenced by Dave's skepticism.

Following Carolyn's death, her daughters, who had gained power of attorney, did not inform Dave of her passing nor allowed him to visit her in her final days. They remained convinced that Carolyn was exploited, a sentiment not adequately addressed by local authorities, according to them. Dave, now alone and homeless again, reflects on his relationship with Carolyn, whom he claims to have loved and wanted to make proud. This complex and emotionally charged story is further explored in a 10-part BBC podcast titled "Million Dollar Lover."

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