The body of Allison has been found after 11 days
I can’t fathom how anyone can take a life. What goes through your head? At what point does it seem like a rational idea to kill someone? To take them away from those who love them?
There are theories a go-go about Allison’s tragic death. It has been 11 days since her disappearance and everyone has a hypothesis. Of course, the high-profile husband is the prime suspect. The rumour mill is in overdrive – talk he hired someone to do it, talk of affairs and financial struggles. While it’s easy to get swept up in the hype, we probably won’t ever know the true story.
To the outside world, Allison and Gerard were the perfect couple – money, success, three adorable daughters and an expensive home in an upper-class Brisbane suburb. Who knows what went on behind closed doors? Who knows how happy or unhappy they really were? Perhaps the husband is innocent? Perhaps his heart is also breaking in one million little pieces right now? Whether he did it or not, his life won’t ever be the same again.
But boy do I feel for those little girls. How do you explain this to a five-year-old, eight-year-old and 10-year-old? They are so young, so innocent. Well, they were. It breaks my heart to even think about it. And if their father did do it? Well, they have lost both their parents. Forever.
Today three girls say farewell to their mummy
It reads just like the script out of a Law & Order episode, and I really do love a good crime show, only this is real and it’s happening in my town. As I type this, two loving parents have to come to terms with the fact that someone took their little girl’s life. Friends and family are receiving the news they have been dreading for 11 days. Allison has been killed. Again, I just don’t understand it. Murder. Taking someone else’s life.
A few months ago a father took the life of his son by jumping off the Story Bridge in Brisbane – a murder-suicide. I was furious. Heartbroken. Devastated. All I could think of was the poor mother who would never see her little angel again. (You can read this post here.) Again I am sickened. And saddened. Another life lost, someone taken before their time through violence.
A little boy lost
To those three little girls who have lost their mummy forever, I send you love. I wish I could say something. Do something. I hope you remember your mum forever. I hope you have fond memories of wonderful times – of dress ups and shopping trips and playing dolls and singing and dancing. I don’t think Allison will ever be very far from her daughters. She will certainly live in their hearts, and I am sure family and friends will ensure that her memory is kept alive.
Unfortunately, it will be a long time until these girls will be able to even attempt to live a normal life – in some respects, I’d say the worst is yet to come.
Rest in peace, Allison.
Alli
x
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello – I don’t know this lady but I do feel for her family and young children. This is a tragic loss the depth of which no one except those involved will ever grasp. It is very foolish, however, for you or anyone else to be sensationalising the story or pre-empting a decision about someone’s guilt. This person has not been charged as yet and has not been tried. I don’t know him from a bar of soap but it is trite and melodramatic to refer to him as ‘the prime suspect’ etc, a point that we do not know for sure at present at any rate. There is also a long way from suspect to proven guilt. It is silly overly-emotional banter about such issues that can distract police and prosecutors, and which can lead to blurring of truth/fact during any trial. The children lost their mother 11+ days ago. It is a frightful situation almost too horrible to grasp. Let’s just leave it at that until there has been a trial or confirmation that this is ‘murder’.
Claire, I have to stand my ground here and say that I did not sensationalise his guilt – at no point did I give my opinion and say I thought it was guilty. I said that the rumour mill is in overdrive, which it is. That, as in these situations, people have their theories and there are several flying around – most of which is coming from the media. If you re-read my post you will also see that I say that despite what people are saying, perhaps he is innocent? I certainly don’t cast ANY opinion from my perspective on his guilt or innocence – I am only commentating on what the media is reporting. Please do re-read the post and you will see that. I say we won’t ever know the true story – we don’t know about their marriage … so we don’t know the true story. I say that I hope he is innocent. I am with you – I feel for her family and really that’s the point of the post. The police have already said they are treating it as an unlawful homicide, so I hope they find the perpetrator. And fast. Claire, it was not my intention to sensationalise but to give my opinion. Alli
This is a tragedy, I really feel for those girls. I really hope the father isnt involved. Rachel x
Rachel, I do too. With all my heart I hope that. And as I said – perhaps he is innocent? We have to remember that … Alli
I have to agree with Claire. While I’m sure your heart was in the right place, I think the last thing this family needs is more speculation and public comment and re-posts of family photos. If you put yourself in their shoes you can imagine that the last thing they want is for the story to be extended further in a permanent record such as a blog, particularly while investigations are still ongoing. I believe that at the time of your blog post appearing, the police had not even formally identified the body. We all agree it’s a tragic situation, but in my opinion it would have been best to just offer your sympathies and leave it at that. In case anyone connected to the family should ever read this comment, I would like to offer my sincere condolences for your loss.
Sandra – that VERY last thing I wanted to do was that – and I was clear to say that the body had not been idenitified formally BUT I saw the Police say there was a very strong possibility it was her body as the clothes matched those she was wearing – I did note this. My report was no different to that of each and every media outlet that reported on the finding. While I reported on the media reports and the ‘theories’ I have seen in the media and read, I did not want to sensationalise this at all – it was not my intention. My intention was to pass on my condolences and to send my love to the family. It’s just heartbreaking. Personally, I did not say I thought he was guilty – in fact, I pray he is not and I don’t necessarily have an opinion either way – hence, I did not share mine. I certainly did not write it to sensationalise anything. It was not written to cast any guilt, but as a blogger I do feel it’s my role to commentate on life (just as the media do – our world is similar), in fact I was clear to say that, despite the theories and media reports, he could very well be innocent. I am sorry if I offended – it was certainly not my intention. Not at all. As I said in the blog, my heart goes out to the family and friends – each and every one of them, but especially those girls. Alli x
“My report was no different to that of each and every media outlet that reported on the finding.” There in lies the answer mate. Why bother? The ‘media’ make a big enough stuff up of facts and the English language every day. No need to replicate rubbish.
Condolences are private things from a sincere ‘well’ wisher to a bereaved person/family. Anything more appears to be self-serving and not at all about the good intention.
I have to say also, you do not have any obligation to comment upon this situation. You have chosen to discuss it and create a role for yourself. I felt it my role as a reader of your commentating to make that comment.
Fair play to you though for leaving these comments up and for addressing them. I can see your intention. I agree, it is a very sad and tragic situation for the families. More than one life will be destroyed.
Claire, I wanted to share this message with you that I sent to Sandra, as I wanted to convey the SAME message …
I do appreciate you engaging and giving us your honest feedback and thoughts. And no, we don’t hide these comment threads. We are all human, we all have opinions, we all learn and have more to learn. Some days we make mistakes, some days we have a win. I guess our world was created to give our opinions, but also to do it in a real, raw and honest way. THis was something I felt passionate about and wanted to share it – and as I said, certainly with nothing but the best intentions. Sometimes we are on the money, sometimes we are not …but we are all certainly wiser for the experience. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion too! Hope you continue this journey with us! Alli
Thanks for your response Alli. But I guess it’s something to consider as a blogger – when to comment and when to leave something alone. Unlike the media, you do have that choice. Readers are aware that a blog is a commercial interest, and this post didn’t sit well with me.
I really hope you never find yourself in a situation of family tragedy that becomes public news, but believe me, the last thing a family wants is a stranger commenting in a public forum, unless it’s just a simple “I’m sorry for your loss”. As I said, I’m sure your intentions were good, but hopefully this feedback is something to consider for future posts. And as Claire said, kudos to you for putting up these comments from readers.
Thanks Sandra – I appreciate you engaging and giving us your honest feedback and thoughts. And no, we don’t hide these comment threads. We are all human, we all have opinions, we all learn and have more to learn. Some days we make mistakes, some days we have a win. I guess our world was created to give our opinions, but also to do it in a real, raw and honest way. THis was something I felt passionate about and wanted to share it – and as I said, certainly with nothing but the best intentions. Sometimes we are on the money, sometimes we are not …but we are all certainly wiser for the experience. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion too! And I will share this message with Claire also. Hope you continue this journey with us! Alli