Relatives of the Perth woman stabbed by her partner while visiting Tasmania say their family’s lives have been “changed forever”, with her children experiencing “unimaginable trauma”.
The mother of four, Sarah — whose last name the family has asked not to be used to protect the identity of her children — was at a home in Exeter, near Launceston, where the incident occurred.
After the stabbing, the man crashed his sedan into a ute, instantly killing himself, while the other driver, nurse and mother Elaine Gee, died on Sunday from her injuries.
An online fundraiser for Ms Gee’s family has exceeded $200,000, while a fundraiser to assist in the care of Sarah’s children and her recovery has just been launched.
As of Wednesday afternoon, it had raised more than $15,000.
Police are calling for anyone who witnessed the fatal crash on Friday to contact them. (ABC News: Kate Nickels)
Tough times ahead for all families involved
On the crowdfunding page for Sarah, a statement from her sister and brother-in-law, Coby and Adam Gore, said the lives of the two girls who were with her on the Tasmanian visit have been turned “upside down” and that Sarah “faces a long and difficult road”.
“While her survival is something her family is profoundly grateful for, she faces a long physical and emotional recovery,” they said.
“Sarah’s two young daughters were exposed to traumatic events that no child should ever have to experience. Their wellbeing, safety and recovery remain the family’s highest priority.”
They said Sarah’s family was “deeply grateful for the compassion, support and generosity that has been shown by our community”.
“Those acts of kindness are helping provide stability and hope during an extraordinarily difficult time.”
They also said the family “wishes to acknowledge the devastating loss suffered by the family of Elaine Gee”, who they described as “a beloved wife, mother, friend and dedicated nurse whose death has left an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew and loved her”.
Elaine Gee with her sons. Her husband says he has lost his best friend. (Supplied: Lisa Gibson)
Police calling for witnessesWhere to get help:In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)For non-urgent matters, call Tasmania Police on 131 444Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 441 169 or text 0457 806 963The Family Violence Response and Referral Line (1800 633 937) offers an information and referral service.1800 Respect National Helpline on 1800 737 732Lifeline on 131 114Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491Mensline on 1300 789 978Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578
The couple arrived in Tasmania from Perth last Wednesday, two days before the stabbing.
It is understood Sarah had been in a relationship with the 42-year-old man for six months prior.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Stuart Greenwood said police were called to the home in Exeter on Friday afternoon, and that “investigations indicate the injuries were inflicted by a man known to the woman”.
Sarah’s two youngest children were at home at the time of the event, but did not witness the attack, police said.
Tasmania Police are appealing to anyone with any information or dashcam footage from Friday’s crash to contact them on 131 444 or via the CrimeStoppers website.
Information can be provided anonymously.
Siobhan Mackay says social workers and financial counsellors are available to help women dealing with domestic violence situations. (ABC News: Jayden O’Neill)
Risk of perpetrators using tragedy as manipulation tool
Siobhan Mackay, acting chief executive of the Women’s Legal Service Tasmania, said her agency had been inundated with calls on Monday following the incident.
“Every time there is the murder of another woman due to men’s violence, it’s our worst fear for women; it’s a lot of our clients’ worst fear of what might happen to them and their families,” she said.
“Mondays are always a busy day for us, but particularly after the weekend, our intake team were absolutely swamped on Monday with people reaching out for help.”
Ms Mackay said examples of extreme violence, such as the Exeter tragedy, can be used as leverage by other perpetrators.
“We do see that, unfortunately, very specific threats to further exert power and control,” she said.
“Of course, that itself is a very serious form of violence, to instil further fear in their victim survivors,” she said.