Flowers and photos left at the Hackham West home of murder victim Jackie O’Hide after family, friends and strangers held a vigil. Photo: Dave Cronin.
Source: News Limited
FAMILY, friends and strangers have held a vigil for Hackham West murder victim Jackie O’Hide as they stood together to raise awareness about domestic violence.
About 80 people attended the vigil on Thursday afternoon, laying flowers at the front gate and posting photos of the happy mother-of-two, 27, on the fence of her Blueridge Rd home.
Her brother, John O’Hide, told those who attended the vigil: “Only together we can get through this and help each other.”
One woman said she did not personally know Ms O’Hide but decided to lay flowers and pay tribute to the mother of two because, she too, was a victim of domestic violence.
She said she had been in an abusive relationship and had a young son so felt saddened about what happened to Ms O’Hide.
People hug and lay floral tributes at the vigil for murder victim Jackie O’Hide at the Hackam West home. Picture: DAVE CRONIN
Ms O’Hide, who worked in aged care, was found dead in the front passenger seat of her car outside her home on March 15.
Her partner, Toby Awatere, 34, has been charged with her murder.
Neighbours have previously said it was her two young sons who sounded the car horn in a bid to get help for their mother.
Southern Domestic Violence Service executive officer Megan Hughes helped organise the vigil in a bid to raise awareness about domestic violence.
“We wanted to honour the place that Jackie held in the community as a mother, a friend and a neighbour,” she said.
“Her life is worth recognising and celebrating. It’s tragic that she died a preventable death — we’re very sad about that.
“But by recognising Jackie’s death, we’re saying to other women in South Australia who are experiencing domestic violence, your life is worth something.
“If you are experiencing domestic violence, we urge you to connect with services.
“Many members of Jackie’s family and the wider community came to the vigil.
“It was fantastic for her family to see the way in which her death has caused such grief and distress in the community.”
Vigil held for Hackham West murder victim Jackie O’Hide to raise awareness of domestic violence
No comments:
Post a Comment