Supporters Ignite GoFundMe Effort For Joliet Victim Of Hammer Attack, Home Arson

JOLIET — Area do-gooders are rallying on behalf of a now-hospitalized 36-year-old woman whom a Shorewood man allegedly beat with a hammer last weekend prior to setting her Joliet home ablaze.

Benefactors launched a GoFundMe page Monday with a $10,000 fundraising goal for Amanda Zelko and her fiancé, Scott. As of Wednesday morning, $675 had been donated to the cause.

" ... On March 25, Amanda was attacked," the page says. "She has suffered trauma and has been put in a medically induced coma to help her heal and recover ... Scott and Amanda are wonderful people. Scott owns the local disc replay and would literally give the shirt off of his back for anyone. Please help in any way you can."

Zelko suffered severe trauma in the Sunday afternoon attack and was thereafter placed in a temporary coma. The alleged attacker, Timothy S. Gregory, 36, of the 900 block of South Raven Road in Shorewood, remained in custody Wednesday on $2 million bail. He faces felony of aggravated battery, arson and criminal damage to property charges.

• READ: Accused Hammer- and Fire-Wielding Shorewood Man's Alleged Victim Placed in Medically Induced Coma

Police say Gregory struck Zelko in the head several times with a hammer before dousing her home in lighter fluid and sparking a flame.

She was rescued by a pair of good Samaritans who reportedly found her blood-covered and screaming in the driveway of her engulfed home. Previous reports identified Gregory as the brother of Zelko's fiancé.

• READ: Man Hit Brother's Girlfriend With Hammer, Lit House On Fire: Cops

Image via the "Help support Amanda and Scott" GoFundMe Page