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New details surrounding Emma Pattison’s prior arrest

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. </strong></em></p> <p>It is now known that Emma Pattison, the headmistress at a private school in the UK who police believe was shot dead by her husband, <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/disturbing-new-details-emerge-in-death-of-head-teacher-husband-and-daughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made a distress call</a> to a family member just hours before she was discovered.  </p> <p>Further to that, new details have emerged that reveal that Mrs Pattison was arrested by Surrey police following a domestic row with her husband, George, seven years ago. </p> <p>Mr Pattison telephoned police one evening just prior to midnight, claiming that Mrs Pattison had slapped him around the face in their home. </p> <p>Only a short time later – two minutes or so – Mr Pattison then called the station back to ask the police officers not to come, saying that the matter was inconsequential and that he had overreacted. </p> <p>However, Surrey police decided to proceed with the home visit to investigate the complaint, and arrested Mrs Pattison on suspicion of common assault. </p> <p>Mrs Pattison was then questioned in the presence of a solicitor, and was subsequently released without charge. </p> <p>While a full investigation <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">into their deaths</a> has commenced, Surrey police are currently refusing to discuss Mrs Pattison’s arrest seven years ago in 2016, stating instead that autopsy results on the bodies of all three of the deceased are expected by the end of the week.</p> <p>Police have yet to disclose the official cause of death, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. </p> <p>Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide.</p> <p>Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life.</p> <p>Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point."</p> <p><em>Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Lifeline:</strong> 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au</em></p> <p><em><strong>Beyond Blue:</strong> 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au</em></p> <p><em><strong>Headspace:</strong> 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au</em></p> <p><em>Image credits: epsomcollege.org.uk</em></p>

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Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. </strong></em></p> <p>A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. </p> <p>School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. </p> <p>As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. </p> <p>By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead.</p> <p>Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. </p> <p>Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide.</p> <p>Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life.</p> <p>Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point."</p> <p>“We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives."</p> <p>The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. </p> <p>One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.”</p> <p>Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news."</p> <p>“They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.”</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help.</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au</em></strong></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';"><strong><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / </em><em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk</em></p>

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Ellen devastated after death of beloved show's DJ

<p>Stephen "tWitch" Boss has died at the age of 40. </p> <p>The entertainer is most commonly known for his role as the DJ on the <em>Ellen DeGeneres Show</em>, where he has been a staple since 2014. </p> <p>His death was announced by his wife of nine years Allison Holker just days after marking their wedding anniversary, as she shared a touching statement about his lasting legacy.</p> <p>“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us,” she said in a statement received by The Post.</p> <p>“Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans.”</p> <p>Ellen DeGeneres was among the first to pay tribute to her friend and colleagues, sharing a photo of the two in an emotional embrace. </p> <p>She wrote, “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart. I will miss him."</p> <p>"Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children — Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”</p> <p>When Allison Holker discovered her husband has left home without his car, she reportedly ran frantically into an LAPD station, saying the behaviour was unlike him, according to law enforcement sources.</p> <p>Police later got a call about an incident at an LA hotel, where they found Boss.</p> <div id="indie-campaign-rHsIzpAmAj7xkA4llYlH-2" data-campaign-name="NCA ENTERTAINMENT newsletter" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="TSN-268" data-from="1640955600000" data-to="1677502800000"></div> <p>“To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt,” Holker continued in her statement. </p> <p>“I am certain there won’t be a day that goes by that we won’t honour his memory. We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.</p> <p>“Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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"He was harassed": Woman tells how son took his life over incorrect Robodebt bill

<p>Jenny Miller has shared the heart-breaking story of how her son Rhys was driven to suicide after relentless "harassment" to pay back a $28,000 Centrelink bill that was dished out under the Robodebt scheme.</p> <p>Rhys Cauzzo, a florist from Melbourne, was just 27-years-old when he took his life on Australia Day in 2017 after he was wrongly billed for the debts he didn't owe. </p> <p>Rhys was just one of over 2,000 Australians who died after received a hefty debt notice under the controversial scheme, which raised over $1billion in debts against 443,000 Australians. </p> <p>Speaking with Nat Barr on <em>Sunrise</em>, Jenny shared the devastating moment she was informed of her son's death. </p> <p>"The police came to our place on the Sunshine Coast early in the morning to tell us that he had passed," she said on Friday.</p> <p>"I arranged to fly down immediately and I found obvious signs of him being under the stress financially."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The families of Robodebt victims are hopeful a royal commission will deliver justice after the scheme unlawfully claimed almost $2 billion in payments from Aussies. Jenny Miller's son Rhys took his own life after he was incorrectly told he owed Centrelink $28,000. <a href="https://t.co/eQ9bkj8RAm">pic.twitter.com/eQ9bkj8RAm</a></p> <p>— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1562921013217996801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>"There were pictures of him holding a gun to his head and dollar signs coming out of his brain."</p> <p>Ms Miller said before her son took his own life he "got virtually daily" letters and phone calls from debt collectors Dun &amp; Bradstreet.</p> <p>"He was harassed, he was not given the opportunity to speak to anyone at Centrelink," she said. </p> <p>"They just said ''no, you have to sort out.'"</p> <p>"It was the icing on the cake for him."</p> <p>Jenny went on to thank both Bill Shorten and Anthony Albanese for sticking to Labor's election promise to <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/pm-launches-probe-into-unlawful-robodebt-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launch a royal commission</a> into the "unlawful" scheme, which was announced earlier this week. </p> <p>"Obviously, we are still hoping to get some accountability. I have been fighting this for nearly six years and it is time that there was some answers," she said.</p> <p>During the election campaign, the Prime Minister described the Robodebt scheme as a “human tragedy, wrought by (the Coalition) government."</p> <p>“Against all evidence, and all the outcry, the government insisted on using algorithms instead of people to pursue debt recovery against Australians who in many cases had no debt to pay,” Albanese said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise </em></p>

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Suicide rates reveal the silent suffering of Australia’s ageing men

<p>Men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rates in Australia, but the tragedy has gone relatively unnoticed. This group is growing older, feeling alone and flying under the radar.</p> <p>The tragedy of suicide is recognised as a major public health issue. Yet what may come as a surprise to many is data <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release#intentional-self-harm-deaths-suicide-in-australia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing men over 85 have suicide rates more than three times the average rate.</p> <p>Public perception is that men – in particular, young men – have the highest suicide risk. While this is true for the net number of suicides, if we don’t consider age-standardised rates (which account for differences in age distribution across the population) we miss a crucial finding.</p> <p><strong>Adjusting for age</strong></p> <p>Men aged over 85 accounted for a relatively small proportion of all male suicides (3.1%) in 2020 (the latest data available). But the age-specific suicide rate was 36.2 deaths per 100,000 (up from 32.3 per 100,000 in 2019). For women aged over 85, this rate was much lower (6.2 per 100,000). The next highest rate was for men in both the 40-44 and 50-54 age bands (27.1 per 100,000).</p> <p>In 2020, the overall suicide rate was 12.1 per 100,000 people.</p> <p>But this issue is rarely addressed in public discourse or policy directives. The <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/mental-health/national-study-mental-health-and-wellbeing/2020-21#psychological-distress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing</a> released last month did not include data on people older than 85.</p> <p>This risk is <a href="https://theconversation.com/elderly-men-have-the-highest-suicide-rate-and-ageism-stops-us-from-doing-something-about-it-46923" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not new</a>, but little has changed to address it over the past decade. In light of COVID and what it has <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.679711/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed about ageism</a> and the value of older people in our society, it is crucial to explore these issues again.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><em><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477294/original/file-20220803-1926-uuu06d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="older man with head in hands" /></a></em><figcaption><em><span class="caption">All the key risk factors for suicide have become even more relevant due to COVID.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/senior-man-covering-his-face-hands-701935606" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shutterstock</a></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Preventable deaths</strong></p> <p>It is startling that men who have shown resilience to survive to late life are at such risk of preventable death. Many factors contribute, including physical and material circumstances like <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28511737/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frailty, chronic pain, bereavement</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23209090/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">financial troubles</a>. However, we cannot assume only external issues cause distress and lead to suicide.</p> <p>In fact, for older people, successful ageing is rarely defined purely by physical circumstances. Ageing well often implies flourishing despite hardship.</p> <p>The silent challenge among men aged over 85 who take their own lives is psychological and existential distress, which can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20438238/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reinforce feelings of loneliness and worthlessness</a>. Older men at risk of suicide may feel they are “no longer needed” or perceive themselves as “burdensome” to family and community.</p> <p>These beliefs can overlap with major life transitions, such as retirement, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31431103/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stopping driving</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21500012/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">moving to residential care, where they are a minority</a>. Such stressful events can increase feelings of marginalisation, loss of independence and worthlessness, and also lead to social isolation.</p> <p><strong>Talking about it</strong></p> <p>A reluctance to express their feelings or be vulnerable has long been discussed as an important factor for men’s wellbeing, especially when they’re feeling low.</p> <p>Research suggests gender stereotypes and social norms linked to masculinity <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27664823/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reduce help-seeking behaviours</a> and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2156869317725890" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can increase suicide risk</a>. Many ageing men hold restrictive and stoic beliefs about what it means to be a man. This may make them <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29019282/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less inclined to share</a> when they aren’t coping.</p> <p>Yet emerging research <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27473200/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">challenges the assumption</a> men don’t talk because they can’t. One reason men are not talking about their mental health struggles is because there’s <a href="https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/153516" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nowhere for them</a> to open up in a way they see as culturally and socially acceptable.</p> <p>Instead, older men are speaking through their actions.</p> <p>Suicide prevention and early intervention responses that are not tailored to the needs of older men are unlikely to be effective. We need to meet men where they are and listen to their quiet and absent voices by designing programs in partnership with them.</p> <p>This means better understanding men’s <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28871841/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barriers</a> to suicide interventions. These include a lack of trust in traditional services and an aversion to “formal” supports that frame emotional distress and suicidal behaviours as mental illness.</p> <p>It also means exploring, developing and funding new options that are acceptable, relevant and accessible, such as gendered support, peer-led programs, community-based informal support and programs combining exercise with mental health promotion.</p> <p>The objective is not only to develop more suitable suicide prevention for this specific group, but also to examine broader interactions between ageing, isolation and loneliness; <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-psychogeriatrics/article/covid19-the-implications-for-suicide-in-older-adults/9890D02E0DA3021FCFE66B9A29F2684E" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all key risk factors</a> for suicide that have become even more relevant due to COVID.</p> <p><strong>More calls for help</strong></p> <p>Increased feelings of distress and loneliness produced by the pandemic can be measured by <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-04/lifeline-records-highest-daily-calls-on-record/100350522" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased calls to services such as Lifeline</a>. And more persistent mental health problems are likely to present more slowly, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2020-41461-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over longer horizons</a>, and peak after the most acute phases of the pandemic.</p> <p>Older people have handled much of the burden of COVID, including unprecedented <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7295320/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">restrictions and ageist sentiments</a>. We must recognise these factors – growing old, being alone and feeling unheard - underpin increasing distress felt by men aged over 85, not only during the pandemic, but more generally.</p> <p>This group must be seen as a priority population for suicide prevention. We must start listening and work together to find solutions so older men can access the help they need in a way that suits them.</p> <hr /> <p><em>UNSW Ageing Futures Institute would like to acknowledge the research contribution of <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/about/our-research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lifeline Research Foundation</a>’s Dr Anna Brooks (National Manager) and Dr Tara Hunt (Research and Engagement Manager).</em></p> <hr /> <p><strong><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call these support services, 24 hours, 7 days:</em></strong></p> <ul> <li> <p><strong><em>Lifeline: 13 11 14</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (for people aged 5 to 25)</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978</em></strong></p> </li> <li> <p><strong><em>StandBy - Support After Suicide: 1300 727 24</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187925/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></strong><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> </li> </ul> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rhys-mantell-1350710" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Rhys Mantell</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNSW Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adrienne-withall-1366339" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adrienne Withall</a>, Senior Research Fellow, School of Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/suicide-rates-reveal-the-silent-suffering-of-australias-ageing-men-187925" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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Crime scene established after suspected murder-suicide at retirement village

<p dir="ltr">An elderly couple who were found dead in their unit at an Adelaide retirement village have been identified, with police treating their deaths as a murder-suicide.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barbara and Dennis Willshire, both 92, were found on Wednesday morning by a staff member during morning rounds, though police say it is unclear when the couple died.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the staff member raised the alarm, police and paramedics were called to the unit, which is part of a larger retirement and nursing home precinct in Glynde.</p> <p dir="ltr">The quiet village quickly became a crime scene, with major crime detectives working all day to piece together what happened in the leadup to the couple’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Superintendent Matt Nairn of South Australia Police said it was believed that the man killed his wife and then himself, though a full investigation would be conducted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We believe it is a murder-suicide and, at this stage, we believe the man has killed potentially his wife and then taken his own life,” Nairn said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He added that there was nothing untoward known about the couple’s relationship and that their children had been notified.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As you can imagine, this is very tragic for a family,” Nairn said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barbara and Dennis were known for being social and their deaths have sent shockwaves through their community, with neighbours saying it was “one of those things you don’t face every day”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Living in a courtyard like this you get to know people,” one neighbour said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Very sorry for everyone. It’s one of those things you don’t face every day,” another said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple’s best friends of 30 years, who moved into a neighbouring unit to be close to them, were particularly affected.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We did a lot of things together as older people,” the couple said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a big shock to us… it’s hard to accept.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you wanted to know anything you asked Dennis because he was a very bright person.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dennis and Barbara’s friends also said Barbara has become increasingly unwell over the past four months.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was very unwell and Dennis was very distressed about the whole situation, she’d been unwell for about three months,” one said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s hard to accept that they’ve gone… I still can’t believe it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for Lutheran Homes Group, which operates the retirement village, told the ABC the pair had been living independently in the unit where they were found, and that the village was offering both pastoral and counselling support for those who needed it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Pastoral support is being offered to residents, as well as counselling support for staff. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and our Glynde community at this difficult time,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.</strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42c82bbf-7fff-ec7e-f4b8-f51ce7f57314"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

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NRL great's cause of death sparks emotional pleas

<p dir="ltr">Content warning: This article includes mentions of suicide.</p> <p dir="ltr">TV personality and mental health advocate Gus Worland has issued an emotional plea to Australians to ask for help when they need it in the wake of the sudden death of Paul Green.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 49-year-old NRL coach was found dead on Thursday, with the cause of death later revealed to be suicide.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police were called to Green’s family home in Brisbane after he was found unresponsive in the garage.</p> <p dir="ltr">A police spokeswoman told the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-11101165/How-Paul-Green-died-Police-speak-cause-death.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia </a></em>that Green was declared dead by paramedics at the scene, saying that the circumstances surrounding his death are not suspicious.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-546df288-7fff-8ded-3e29-af01266a0d4a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Worland - the founder of the Gotcha4Life charity - spoke to Nine’s NRL broadcast in the wake of Green’s death, sharing a message for the nation.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Important words from <a href="https://twitter.com/GusWorland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GusWorland</a> on a very sad day. Please talk to someone. I’m always here for my Twitter friends, as I know you all are for me. ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/IWtz3uySuL">https://t.co/IWtz3uySuL</a></p> <p>— Gavin Flanagan (@gavflano) <a href="https://twitter.com/gavflano/status/1557687402696962048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Seven Australian men that wake up this morning won't wake up tomorrow morning, two women, and we have people attempting suicide at such a rapid rate," Worland said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was so sad to hear about Greeny, and I think this is a line in the sand as a sport and as a nation to say enough is enough.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Let's stop talking about it, let's stop talking about awareness, let's put some action into place.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's all about manning up and speaking up now, not manning up and shutting up, which is what we've been told all our lives to do.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Put your hand up if you need some help and support. That's the bravest thing you can do, ask for help when you need it.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Why are we so good in this country at helping people, but not at asking for help? That's what we need to change."</p> <p dir="ltr">Nine News presenter Peter Overton echoed Worland’s message during the 6pm bulletin on Thursday, calling for Aussies to speak up about their mental health.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you are struggling with your mental health, please talk to someone,” he began. “Ask, ‘Are you OK?’</p> <p dir="ltr">“Take a friend for a coffee, a walk; confide in your GP.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Share your feelings with your family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just talk to someone. You might be surprised how many people you know have the same struggles.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are not alone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“One of the best places you can call is Lifeline. They are there to listen, they are there to help.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Green’s passing comes 11 months after he was sacked as the head coach of the Maroons, having been in the role, which he described as “every Queenslander’s dream”, for just a year.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the coach for the North Queensland Cowboys, Green took the team to their first ever premiership in 2015 and stayed in charge until the end of 2020, when he was replaced by Todd Payten.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following his departure from the Maroons, Green had been in talks with Wayne Bennett about making a return to NRL and joining the Dolphins, who enter the competition next year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Laurence Lancini, a former chairman of the Cowboys, told the <em><a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-green-death-cowboys-pay-tribute-and-reveal-devastating-detail-of-his-passing/news-story/5e687ee90f3a5e183f618fcd8e407337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Courier Mail</a></em> that Green seemed fine when they spoke just three days before his death and said they should catch up for a beer soon.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, he said “the last few years had been tough” for Green.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Greeny mentioned he was keen to coach again and had some options and I asked Greeny if he really wanted to go back into it again,” Lancini said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I said to Paul, the last club you coached, you took the Cowboys to the premiership and you took us to two grand finals. Just leave coaching behind and do something else.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But Greeny still had that real drive. He wanted to coach again.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Greeny has come from a position where he coached a club to a premiership and a second grand final. He has coached State of Origin. He has coached at the highest levels and I think Greeny was a bit lost and confused about where his life needed to be without coaching.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The thing about Greeny is he was a high achiever and high achievers always want to be achieving something.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The last few years have been a bit tough on him because he hasn’t been coaching in the NRL.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I said to Greeny, just take your time and the right opportunity will come along.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong><em>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beyondblue.org.au</a>.</em></strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a0c9ea61-7fff-c0cd-9a01-02b26c8a1452"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Model dies after battle with mental illness

<p dir="ltr">Model and influencer Niece Waidhofer has died following a long battle with mental illness, something she was very vocal about to her 4.2 million followers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 31-year-old was found dead in her home in Katy, outside of Houston, in May 2022 after a concerned family member raised the alarm. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Sadly, Niece took her own life after a long battle with mental health issues,” a family member told TMZ.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was very open with her followers about her struggles, even wanting to help followers who also suffered.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbht9HduDhj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbht9HduDhj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Niece Waidhofer (@niecewaidhofer)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The influencer rose to fame in 2015 after starting the popular 'Roast Me' trend on Reddit and had fans worried after deleting almost all of her Instagram posts except for three. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her final posts include a selfie complimenting her new blonde hair, a video playing with her pet dog, and the engagement photo with her ex. </p> <p dir="ltr">In her Niece’s honour, the family will be creating a non-profit organisation for mental health awareness which looks to give grants into mental illness research. </p> <p dir="ltr">It will be called “Peace from Niece”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram/TikTok</em></p>

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Tributes flow for siblings named in suspected murder-suicide

<p dir="ltr">Tributes are flowing for two young siblings who died in a suspected double murder-suicide by their mother in Perth. </p> <p dir="ltr">​​Abiyah, 10, and Aiden Selvan, eight, were found dead in the back seat of a car at John Graham Reserve in Coogee, west of the city, on Monday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their heartbroken father had left for the US on Sunday and arrived back home in Perth on Wednesday after hearing the devastating news. </p> <p dir="ltr">Principal Bill Innes of Providence Christian College and students at the children’s school remembered the siblings with messages and flowers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can never prepare for something like this,” Principal Innes told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/heartbreaking-tributes-flow-for-young-victims-abiyah-and-aiden-selvan-killed-in-suspected-coogee-murder-suicide-c-6081634" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re still numb, it’s still sinking in. To see those faces, it’s not easy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A bulletin board was offered to the students to write their messages to Abiyah and Aiden. </p> <p dir="ltr">Abiyah was described as being the “brightest light of the world” from one of her fellow classmates.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Remember I always love you. It pains me to know I will never see you smile, touch you, laugh with you, and even wave to you,” another of her friends wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your secrets! Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone in honour of you. I will never forget you. See you in heaven,” another student wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">A message dedicated to Aiden simply read, “I will miss you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Tsaparah Tabernacle, the church the family attended was in a “state of shock” when news spread of the suspected double murder-suicide.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We don’t have an understanding of what’s going on, we are puzzled and completely shocked at this stage,” a church spokesman told <a href="https://thewest.com.au/news/crime/coogee-car-fire-neighbours-reveal-details-of-mum-children-killed-in-suspected-murder-suicide--c-6065373" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The West Australian</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The homicide investigation continues.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

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Father’s chilling photo taken just days before murder-suicide

<p>Just days before a brutal attack on his two children, Perth dad Indika Gunathilaka shared a gushing music video about his daughter. </p><p>Police believe the 40-year-old man murdered his four-year-old daughter Lily and six-year-old son Kohan in their beds before taking his own life in the garage of their home.</p><p>After the family failed to attend a meeting with the kids' mother, the authorities were alerted and rushed to their home on Friday evening. </p><p>Since the tragedy, a music video Indika created and filmed for his daughter has emerged. </p><p>The video shows clips of the father and daughter laughing on the couch together, as well as images of Indika singing on a cliffside. </p><p>In the chilling footage, Mr Gunathilaka described Lily as a “bossy pants” and said all he wanted for her was “happiness”, even when he is “worm feed”.  </p><p>“I don’t love you more than your brother but it’s true what people say, there is something about a daughter that a father could never fray,” the dad sings.  </p><p>“One look from you is all I need to turn gloom into glee, remember that I loved you before our first meet.”</p><p>The video was filmed in 2019 and have racked up over 50,000 views since the devastating incident on Friday. </p><p>Just two days before the deaths, Indika shared a photo on Facebook of him with his two children, all holding hands as they look over the beach with their backs to the camera.</p><p>One close friend commented on the image, "Indika I know why you posted this picture to say you were leaving with the kids."</p><p>WA Police assistant commissioner Allan Adams said they have started their investigation into the incident, and do not believe any other person was involved. </p><p>“The exact cause of death and the circumstances will be thoroughly investigated and this will take some time but I tell you at this stage, we are treating this incident as a double murder suicide,” he said.</p><p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

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Sinead O’Connor shares emotional tributes after her son is found dead

<p>Sinead O'Connor's son has been found dead in Ireland just days after he was reported missing. </p> <p>Police said the missing case was closed after the body of 17-year-old Shane was found in the town of Bray, 20km south of Dublin. </p> <p>The singer shared a series of emotional tweets saying how her son "decided to end his earthly struggle" and urged others not to do the same. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God,” she said.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby, I love you so much. Please be at peace.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">It is believed that Shane went missing after escaping from hospital while on suicide watch. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">In Sinead's series of tweets, she vowed to "never forgive" the authorities who were caring for Shane before his untimely death. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>She said, "I have now formally identified the remains of my son, Shane. May God forgive the Irish State for I never will."</span></p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>"I’m going to take private time now to grieve my son. When I am ready I will be telling exactly how the Irish State in the ignorant, evil, self-serving, lying forms of Tusla and the HSE (Health Service Executive) enabled and facilitated his death."</span></p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><span>Shane was under the care of child and family agency Tusla when he escaped, as Sinead claims the organisation has "too many kids dying on their </span>watch."</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Shane was one of four of Sinead's children, and his father was Irish musician Donal Lunny. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Finishing her tributes to her late son, Sinead dedicated the Bob Marley song <em>Ride Natty Ride</em> to Shane, adding "<span>This is for my Shaney. The light of my life. The lamp of my soul. My blue-eye baby. You will always be my light. We will always be together. No boundary can separate us."</span></p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Twitter @OhSineady</em></p>

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Rap song linked to dip in suicide rates

<p><em>Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.</em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An American rap song has been more than just a hit on the charts, after new research found it had a direct link to more people reaching out for crisis support and a decrease in suicide-related deaths.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">1-800-273-8255</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a song by American rapper Logic, features the phone number for the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The study, published in the </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-067726" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BMJ</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, found that within 34 days of the song’s release in April 2017, the 2017 MTV Music Video Awards and the 2018 Grammy Awards, the hotline received an increase of 9,915 calls - working out to be an increase of seven percent more than the expected number.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846511/logic1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1958b234800047b3926988b93a6e3e28" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Logic performing ‘1-800-273-8255’ at the VMAs in 2017. Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These three events generated intense public attention around the song, and within those periods of publicity, the number of suicides in the US decreased by 245.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">1-800-273-8255</span></em> <a rel="noopener" href="https://happymag.tv/logic-song-linked-decline-in-suicide-rates/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been praised</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for its efforts to end the stigma surrounding mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, the researchers point out that their study is only observational and “can’t establish cause”. They also noted that it was unclear whether the song had any effects beyond the three events where it received peak attention, or whether using social media data captured how many people listened to the song.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite this, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/1-800-hip-hop-song-linked-to-a-reduction-in-suicides-in-the-us" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">they say</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> these findings “emphasise the potential population health benefits of working creatively and innovatively” with the music industry to share stories of people seeking help and depicting people coping during times of crisis.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Logic has also been touched by the impact the song has had and the attention it’s brought to suicide prevention.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We did it from a really warm place in our hearts to try to help people,” he told </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">CNN</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “And the fact that it actually did, that blows my mind.”</span></p> <p><em>If you are experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites" target="_blank">beyondblue.org.au</a>.</em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Mind

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Man who helped his father die finds out his fate

<p><strong><em>Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide which may be distressing to some readers</em></strong>.</p> <p>After a lengthy battle against aggressive bowel cancer, in May 2021, Colin Stratton decided he'd had enough.</p> <p>Just a few days shy of his 81st birthday, the loving man asked his family to do something for him.</p> <p>Colin, along with his late wife, had been long term supporters of the voluntary euthanasia bill and members of Dying with Dignity.</p> <p>On May 24th, Colin visited his GP and asked for a suicide pill in order to die on his own terms.</p> <p>When the doctor hold him the paperwork would take up to two weeks, he informed his GP he would simply take matters into his own hands.</p> <p>Impaired from extensive chemotherapy, Colin was unable to complete the task of ending his life by himself.</p> <p>Instead, he asked his 54-year-old son Glenn to help him. Glenn initially refused.</p> <p>“Don’t make me make a bloody mess of it, I can’t do it by myself,” Colin told the middle of his three children.</p> <p>Glenn and his father exchanged "I love yous", and Glenn completed one last task for his father.</p> <p>“The psychological pressure on you must have been enormous,” Victorian Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said in a renewed hearing on Wednesday.</p> <p>“You finally pulled the trigger spontaneously out of love and respect for his wishes,” she said.</p> <p>Glenn explained to the court that his father had always done everything he could for his family, and in return they would've done anything for him.</p> <p>His family are all supportive of his actions, as they saw the impact Colin's illness had on the last years of his life.</p> <p>“They also understand how important it was for him to be able to end his life on his own terms when the pain and burden of illness became too great for him,” Justice Hollingworth said.</p> <p>“They describe your actions in helping your father achieve his wish as loving, courageous and selfless.”</p> <p>Glenn Stratton was initially charged with murder after confessing his actions to police, and he spent 46 days behind bars, causing him to miss his father's funeral.</p> <p>Glenn pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his father's suicide, and Justice Hollingworth declared there would be no benefit to keeping him in jail.</p> <p>He was instead ordered to undergo mandatory counselling.</p> <p>Mr Stratton's family have said they hope voluntary euthanasia will become more widely available so other families don't have to go through the same thing.</p> <p><strong><em>If you or a member of your family need help in a crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.</em></strong></p> <p><em>Image credit: 7News</em></p>

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Brian Laundrie's cause of death finally released

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>An autopsy report released on Tuesday has finally revealed that Brian Laundrie, whose disappearance sparked a nationwide manhunt in September after his fiancee, Gabby Petito, went missing and was later found murdered, did in fact commit suicide.</p> <p>In confirming the autopsy results, attorney for the Laundrie family Steven Bertolino stated that “Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the manner of death was suicide.</p> <p>“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families."</p> <p>Laundrie’s remains were found in a Florida nature preserve in late October, one month after 22-year-old Petito was found strangled to death on the edge of Wyoming’s Grand Teton national park, where the couple had been travelling together in a van.<br /><br />23-year-old Laundrie was named a person of interest in the case after he returned to his parents’ home in Florida alone in early September, then disappeared himself.</p> <p>The couple had been travelling across North America in a converted van and documenting their travels across social media platforms. The case gained national attention as authorities searched for both.<br />Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming on the 19th of September, with her death being ruled a homicide by strangulation. Laundrie’s remains were found in an area of the park that had previously been under water during searches of the 25,000-acre nature reserve in North Port, Florida.</p> <p>Laundrie was never charged in connection with Petito’s death, but a federal arrest warrant was issued after a grand jury indicted him for the unauthorised use of a debit card which Petito’s family say was hers.<br />FBI investigators have been searching for clues in belongings found near Laundrie’s body, including a water-damaged notebook, but are yet to release any statement on the progress of its investigation.</p>

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Dieter Brummer's mum opens up about her tragic loss

<p>Dawn Brummer, is living through a difficult time since losing her son to suicide two weeks ago. But, she admits, she is finding comfort in reading all the stories about him.</p> <p>"I'm reading all the stories about him and I'm finding them so beautiful," Dawn, 84, tells 9Honey. "I feel happy to have read them, because there are such wonderful things being said about him."</p> <p>Dieter died aged 45 and news of his death was sent all around the world and particularly here in Australia, where he was born and became famous playing Shane Parrish on <em>Home and Away</em> from the age of 16.</p> <p>Dawn has said: "He was a very humble person. I think you've probably read about his life, about how he loved abseiling because he felt he didn't have to deal with people recognising him all the time."</p> <p>Dieter grew up with his mum in The Hills district in Sydney's north-west. Dawn remembers trying to pick her son up from the local shopping centre after he started appearing on the popular Australian show.</p> <p>"I couldn't see him,” says Dawn. “But I could see about 20 girls in a group outside the shops and I thought, 'That's where he is,'" she remembers.</p> <p><strong>Dieter learnt to deal with being famous</strong></p> <p>He became so well-known he wasn’t able to go to a restaurant without people coming up to him. It would have been a lot of attention for a teenager to have thrust on him. He dealt with the fame but later, he struggled to find steady acting work, as many Australian actors do.</p> <p>After appearing on <em>Home and Away</em> from 1992 until 1996, for which he was nominated for a Gold and Silver Logie Award, he went on to star in a number of other shows throughout the nineties.</p> <p>In the 2000s he joined the cast of <em>Underbelly</em>, <em>Neighbours</em> and <em>Winners &amp; Losers</em>.</p> <p>But due to the irregular nature of acting jobs, Dieter trained as an industrial rope access technician and started his own business which saw him abseiling between high-rise buildings in the city. Dawn says he loved it.</p> <p>Dieter’s father died four years ago and Dieter moved back to the family's Glenhaven home. It proved to be a perfect escape from what was proving to be a difficult time for him, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and work for his business dried up.</p> <p>"I think people with depression don't talk about it, it's just their little secret," Dawn says. "We're just assuming that's what he suffered, and he made an awful mistake."</p> <p>Since news of Dieter’s death has been in the media, Dawn has been contacted by "hundreds" of his fans, sharing their condolences.</p> <p><strong>Dawn hopes other realise suicide is not an answer</strong></p> <p>Dawn says she hopes people will learn from the tragedy of Dieter’s death and realise that suicide is not an answer: "Maybe some of those people who are grieving for him will think about the hole they would leave behind," she adds.</p> <p>"He ended his pain, but the rest of the world who 'knew' him are now in pain. If one person is contemplating suicide just a little, maybe now they will think about how it will affect their mum, their brothers and sisters, partner and friends and the wider range of people who know them."</p> <p>Dawn has been writing her thoughts down since her son's death as a form of "therapy", hoping they will eventually form part of a book and perhaps save even more lives.</p> <p>"In the book, I draw an analogy that his death is like a stone being thrown into a pond and ripples are getting wider and wider and the effects are never ending," she says.</p> <p>"I have friends whose children have taken their own lives. One friend said to me it happened 20 years ago and they are still not over it."</p> <p><strong>Dieter “seemed so happy”</strong></p> <p>Shortly before his death, Dawn says Dieter "seemed so happy".</p> <p>"An old mate had given him a job, which he had just started. He was so excited,” said Dawn. “That was only a couple of days before we were locked down. It was hard to look to the future. Initially we were told it was for two weeks, and then four weeks, and then six weeks."</p> <p>Dawn is at a loss as to the exact circumstances of her son's death. "I said to someone today he made a mistake he couldn't undo," she said.</p> <p>Dieter has since been laid to rest. Dawn says on the day of her son's funeral, Lifeline reported the highest number of calls they’d received in 58 years, a sure sign of just how much some Australians are struggling now.</p> <p>"Maybe sharing my story might help one person or two people," she hopes.</p> <p>The funeral was difficult due to current restrictions which state there can only be 10 attendees at funerals in NSW now.</p> <p>"We had to pick and choose and there were so many who wanted to attend," Dawn says. "His friends were not celebrities."</p> <p>In memory of her son and to help others who may be suffering from depression, Dawn has set up a <a href="https://au.gofundme.com/f/dieter-brummer-for-beyond-blue?qid=2ec87b78cc8f9006a4394eea64e9924c">GoFundMe page to raise money for Beyond Blue</a>.</p> <p>"I haven't got a specific figure in mind," she explains. "I'm just thinking that if there can be a positive out of such a huge negative, maybe this is it."<em>.</em></p> <p><strong>If you or someone you know is in need of support, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline on 13 11 14</a> or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images<br /></em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

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Jacqui Lambie blows up over Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide

<p>The Tasmanian Senator shouted her questions at Attorney-General, Michaelia Cash, during question time on Tuesday, demanding to be told why the royal commission had been delayed for quite a few months.</p> <p>Senator Lambie – a veteran herself - asked: “You already decided you were having a royal commission back in April. Why couldn't you have asked for (legal) tenders back then?”</p> <p>“Why can't the government walk and chew gum at the same time?”</p> <p>Then she shouted: “Why are we so far behind?”</p> <p>Senator Cash said she didn’t agree the commission was falling behind and she said the government “recognises the importance of those engaging with the royal commission”.</p> <p>But Senator Lambie asked for more information – especially for those taking part in the commission. She questioned Senator Cash about what legal financial support would be provided to veterans.</p> <p>“They want to be called to give evidence at the hearing. But before they can do that, a lot of them need funding for legal advice,” Senator Lambie said.</p> <p>“It's been three months since the prime minister announced the royal commission. When will people know what the plan of attack is here?” she added.</p> <p>Senator Cash confirmed a legal financial assistance scheme would be provided for those who engaged with the commission, but as it was independent from government, the commission itself would ultimately determine how hearings would be run.</p> <p>This only seemed to frustrate Senator Lambie more and she retaliated: “To save everyone some hurt here – we just want to know: if we get called up in front of the royal commissioner will we have funding to use our own lawyers?”</p> <p>“That is what I would like answered, please. We need to know this!” she said.</p> <p>But the Speaker cut Senator Lambie off before she could say any more.</p> <p>Senator Cash then said that along with legal financial assistance, counselling and support services would also be made available to people engaging with the royal commission.</p> <p>Senator Lambie has been a vocal supporter of defence veterans having been discharged from the Australian Corps of Military Police herself after her career ended because of a spine injury.</p> <p>The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established in July after many people said it was necessary to address the high rates of mental illness and suicide among Australia’s returned servicemen and servicewomen.</p> <p>The commission will be required to deliver an interim report by August next year and a final report by June 2023.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Baby girl killed in suspected murder-suicide

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to South Australia police, the deaths of a man and baby girl who fell off a dam near the Barossa Valley is a suspected murder-suicide.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The father, believed to be 38-year-old Henry Shepherdson, jumped off the wall of the Whispering Wall dam with his nine-month-old daughter Kobi in a child carrier, according to witness reports.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police said emergency services were called about 4.30pm on Wednesday in Williamstown where they found the deceased man and the baby unresponsive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement, the police said, ‘Detectives from Barossa CIB and Major Crime Investigations Branch, along with forensic crime scene investigators attended the scene to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘Witnesses reported seeing a man with an infant in a child carrier jump off the wall.’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though paramedics attempted to revive the baby, she could not be saved and passed away at the scene.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘Although a formal identification has not yet been completed, police believe the man to be Henry Shepherdson aged 38 and his daughter Kobi Shepherdson aged nine months.’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a police statement, early investigations showed a history of domestic violence between Mr Shepherdson and Kobi’s mother but that the child had not been taken from the mother.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">South Australian Police Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said, ‘We have been notified of some domestic violence incidents reports in relation to this family.’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘The baby was not taken but … there was a very short time frame of the public having notified us that the incident had occurred and Kobi’s mother contacting triple zero,’ Mr Parrott said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kobi’s mother provided images for the media to use, but has asked for privacy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">News of the tragedy shocked the town, located 50 kilometres north-east of Adelaide, and first responders and emergency service members.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">‘This is a highly distressing and emotional incident that has and is affecting people who witnessed the incident, those who tried to help Kobi, emergency services personnel, family and friends,’ the statement read.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The statement also mentioned that police ‘are supporting those impacted by this incident.’</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 35-metre-high Whispering Wall is the retaining wall of the Barossa Reservoir, according to its website.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The reservoir remained closed on Thursday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police said no one else was being sought over the deaths and that they are preparing a report for the South Australian Coroner.</span></p>

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"Absolutely devastated": Distraught family of murdered baby break their silence

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The family of a nine-month-old baby who was strapped to her father after he "jumped" off the Whispering Wall at the Barossa Reservoir are "absolutely devastated".</p> <p>Kobi Shepherdson was attached to her father in a child carrier when witnesses saw him jump at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.</p> <p>Unfortunately, when emergency services arrived, her father was already dead and Kobi was unresponsive.</p> <p>Despite the heroic efforts of witnesses and later paramedics, she was pronounced dead.</p> <p>Kobi's aunt Leisa Shepherdson Casey asked for privacy via Facebook as the family "went through these emotions".</p> <p>“We are completely devastated. My heart is heavy and my tears are dry, robbed in the most cruellest way of my beautiful niece Kobi,” she wrote.</p> <p>“Auntie Leis loves you little poppet. You’ll be forever in my heart.”</p> <p>South Australian Senator Marielle Smith said the local community is "heartbroken" for the family.</p> <p>“I express my deepest condolences to the mother, family and loved ones of this precious little girl,” she wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>“As a community, our hearts are breaking for all of them at this devastating time.</p> <p>“To those who provided assistance and our emergency services, our thoughts and sincere thanks are with you too.</p> <p>“If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, 1800 RESPECT is available 24 hours a day. In an emergency, always call 000.”</p> <p>Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott spoke to the media yesterday, saying that there was a history of domestic violence in the family but Kobi's father had "lawful access" to her at the time of her death.</p> <p>“The baby was not taken,” he said.</p> <p>“There was a very short time frame between the public having notified us that the incident had occurred and Kobi’s mother making contact with triple-0.</p> <p>“Every relationship is complex, particularly when there is also domestic violence involved.</p> <p>“While I’m not at liberty to discuss the specifics, it will form part of our investigation as to what was happening in the relationship and what was done prior to this incident.”</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span></em><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/south-australia/kobi-shepherdsons-family-absolutely-devastated-after-apparent-murdersuicide-by-father-henry-at-whispering-wall/news-story/308bedd92c620e896595d87915286634" target="_blank">news.com.au</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

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Scott Morrison orders royal commission into veteran suicides

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison has called in for a royal commission into veteran suicides after months of demand for a commission.</p> <p>He said he remains committed to establishing a permanent commission of inquiry into veteran suicides, but an independent office will operate alongside a standalone inquiry.</p> <p>“We have been taking many steps as a government, as governments before us have as well, to address this very serious issue of death by suicide of our veterans and our serving Defence Force personnel,” he said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN14x3ILT9J/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CN14x3ILT9J/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Scott Morrison (@scottmorrisonmp)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“That is why, today, we are announcing that I intend to convene and recommend to the Governor-General a royal commission into death by suicide for veterans.”</p> <p>Morrison said that he hopes the royal commission will be a "healing process" for the families of veterans.</p> <p>“I hope it will be a process by which veterans and families can find some comfort, but it obviously can’t replace the loss,” he said.</p> <p>Morrison anticipates it will begin in July.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Family devastated by death of "vanlife" travel star

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Young woman Lee Macmillan, who was known for her road trips alongside Aussie ex-partner Max Bidstrup, took her own life last week.</p> <p>Her devastated loved ones have launched hashtag #speakupforlee to raise awareness about depression and mental illness in her honour.</p> <p>The news was announced by their popular Instagram page @maxandlee_, who had more than 74,000 followers watching their "vanlife" trips.</p> <p>Announcing on Instagram they were going “their separate ways”, the pair admitted it was “incredibly difficult for us to talk about on here”.</p> <p>The post on Wednesday revealed Lee had suffered from depression for a long time.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNEjvGAhzEr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CNEjvGAhzEr/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Max &amp; Lee + Occy | Vanlife (@maxandlee_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“After living an extraordinary life, and fighting a brave battle with depression, our hearts are shattered to share that Lee took her life on Friday,” the post reads.</p> <p>“She was the brightest light, a magnetic force of nature and was loved by so so many.</p> <p>“If we can do one thing for Lee now, in the midst of this soul-crushing loss, it’s to spread the message that mental health is just as real as physical health.</p> <p>“And that illness can strike anyone, no matter how unlikely they may seem.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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