A young court clerk at the centre of a controversial relationship with a magistrate 45 years her senior has been struck and killed by a car.
Grandfather-of-eight Rod Higgins, 68, proposed to Ashleigh Petrie, 23, from Mirboo North in Victoria, during a romantic trip to Fiji in September after just months of dating.
The romance made headlines across the nation, prompting calls for the legal watchdog to investigate the propriety of the relationship.
Grandfather-of-eight Rod Higgins proposed to Ashleigh Petrie (pictured together), from Mirboo North in Victoria, during a romantic trip to Fiji in September
Victoria Police has confirmed Ms Petrie was struck by a vehicle on Metung Road in country Victoria about 1am on Monday morning.
Police are continuing investigations.
Ms Petrie, who was understood to be on leave after her relationship was exposed by the Herald Sun earlier this month, posted a photo on Instagram yesterday of her enjoying a drink at the Metung Hotel.
Court staff across all jurisdictions are said to be devastated at the news of Ms Petrie’s untimely death.
Ms Petrie posted this photo on Instagram shortly before here death
Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court, where the couple were based, has cancelled hearings today as staff come to grips with the tragedy.
‘It’s rocked the court community. We’re all upset and staff have been offered counselling,’ one court staffer told Daily Mail Australia.
Ms Petrie had been under extreme pressure following news of her engagement to Mr Higgins, who also goes under the name Rod Rocketman on Facebook.
The court has been contacted for comment about Ms Petrie’s sudden death.
Victoria’s Attorney-General Jill Hennessy said their relationship did not break any rules – but shadow attorney-general Ed O’Donohue had demanded an investigation into whether the couple’s relationship was appropriate given their respective roles with the court.
Ashleigh Petre, 23, who is engaged to 68-year-old magistrate Rob Higgins, has previously another magistrate, 59
Shadow attorney-general Ed O’Donohue has demanded an investigation into Miss Petrie’s (pictured) relationship with Rod Higgins
Mr O’Donohue had written to the Judicial Commission of Victoria to request a probe into Mr Higgins.
According to the Herald Sun, he cited the relationship with Ms Petrie as a reason to investigate – even though the pair did not work together.
Before she started dating Mr Higgins, Miss Petrie reportedly had a brief relationship with another magistrate who is 59.
The fling lasted a little over a month before Miss Petrie officially started dating Mr Higgins earlier this year.
Miss Petrie admitted the relationship to the Herald Sun but refused to comment.
Ashleigh Petrie, said yes to grandfather-of-eight Rod Higgins (pictured together) when he proposed during a trip to Fiji last month
Miss Petrie is pictured with her current beau Mr Higgins who proposed to her last month after a whirlwind romance
Mr Higgins and Miss Petrie were living together in Mirboo North, four hours from Shepparton.
Last month he whisked her away to Fiji where he popped the question.
The clerk excitedly accepted and called him ‘the love of her life’ in a gushing Facebook post where she showed off pictures of her sparkly new ring.
The relationship has been disclosed to Victoria’s chief magistrate Peter Lauritsen after many lawyers raised eyebrows at the unusual arrangement.
At the time, a spokesman for Mr Lauritsen said: ‘The Chief Magistrate has no comment on the personal lives of magistrates or staff.’
Love is in the air: A 68-year-old magistrate and a 23-year-old court clerk (pictured) are engaged
Last month and Mr Higgins proposed during a romantic holiday in Fiji. Pictured: The couple on holiday
Magistrate Rodney Higgins proposed to his girlfriend Ashleigh Petrie, 23, in September. She is pictured right and left with her ring
Miss Petrie announced her engagement to the father-of-three while still in Fiji.
‘What an amazing 10 days it has been here in Fiji! Firstly, I arrived as Rod’s girlfriend and I leave as rod fiancé! I cannot wait to become Mrs Higgins!’ she wrote online.
‘It started with a crush and now I have a ring on my finger. The love of my life asked me to marry him and I said YESSSS.’
‘I don’t know how I got so lucky to find such a sweet and caring man with the same sense of humour, this amazing man is the love of my life!’
During their trip, the pair went zip lining, met a Fijian tribe and swam in the sea together, according to their numerous social media posts.
A source told the Herald Sun that Ms Petrie and Mr Higgins had been trying for a baby.
The relationship has been disclosed to Victoria’s chief magistrate Peter Lauritsen after many lawyers raised eyebrows at the unusual arrangement. Pictured: The couple at the beach
Miss Petrie excitedly accepted and called him ‘the love of her life’ after he proposed. The couple is pictured together
Ms Petrie’s death comes after a court clerk positioned at the Coroner’s Court of Victoria took her life in September 2018.
WorkSafe launched a probe into the court’s allegedly ‘toxic culture’ in February.
Two magistrates have also taken their own lives in recent times.
Stephen Myall killed himself in early 2018 while former magistrate Jacinta Dwyer took her life in October 2017.
‘Id be surprised of WorkSafe wasn’t going to look into it on the back of the coroners suicide and two magistrates,’ a source told Daily Mail Australia. ‘You start to think what’s it gonna take for something to be done and the culture to change.’
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