They say dogs are the best people, so there’s every chance pooches Frankie and Django knew exactly why they were at Brisbane’s Iona College on Monday – along with hundreds of heartbroken friends of a pregnant couple who were hit and killed in a horror Australia Day crash.
Kate Leadbetter, 31, Matt Field, 37, and their unborn son, Miles, were farewelled in a private ceremony at Mr Field’s old school two weeks after they were mowed down and killed by a teenage driver allegedly high on drugs and driving a stolen car while walking their two while walking their beloved dogs in Alexandra Hills, Brisbane.
Frankie, who disappeared after the crash and was not found until midday the day after, suffers from Addison’s disease and requires daily medication.
Both of the couple’s beloved dogs attended the funeral, and looked lost as the family said their goodbyes
Heartbroken friends and family of a pregnant couple who were hit and killed by a teenage driver in a horror Australia Day crash have turned out to say their final goodbyes
Devastated members of the families hugged one another as two police officers on motorbikes led the hearse into the private school
Kate Leadbetter, 31, and her boyfriend Matthew Field, 37, died after they were allegedly hit by a teenage driver in Alexandra Hills on the evening of Australia Day
The dogs looked confused and watched on as the hearses carrying Ms Leadbetter and Ms Field drove away.
Devastated members of the families hugged one another as two police officers on motorbikes led the hearse into the private school.
Mourners dressed in bright colours and floral patterns, while a group of young men in Iona College uniforms lined the streets as the caskets of the young couple were brought through.
The large crowd gathered outdoors on the school grounds before relocating for the service.
Queensland Police said the family, who do not want to be named, ‘extend their gratitude to the community for the support it has shown during this incredibly difficult time’.
‘Both families understand there will be a high degree of interest from the community,’ a Queensland Police spokesman said.
Both dogs were also at the ceremony, after Frankie fled the scene and disappeared following the crash. She was later found in need of urgent medical treatment as she suffers from Addison’s disease and requires daily medication
Their broken families gathered at Iona College, where Mr Field went to school, for an emotionally-charged funeral
Mourners dressed in bright colours and floral patterns, while a group of young men in matching black suits lined the streets as the caskets of the young couple were brought through
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field (pictured) had been dating for more than four years and were expecting their first child
‘They wish to have their privacy respected so that everyone attending (including school-aged children) can say goodbye and grieve privately’.
Ms Leadbetter and Mr Field’s families have only spoken publicly once about the tragedy, explaining that the couple were so excited to be parents and had recently decided on their son’s name – Miles.
‘To have lost three cherished members of our families in such a senseless and sudden way is beyond our comprehension,’ one of the family members said.
‘We are grief stricken that they never got to experience the birth of their baby boy who we discovered in recent weeks was to be named Miles.’
Family and friends are seen as two hearses containing the coffins of Matt Field and Kate Leadbetter are given a guard of honour by students at Iona College
Their broken families gathered at Iona College, where Mr Field went to school, for an emotionally-charged funeral
Heartbroken friends and family of a pregnant couple who were hit and killed by a teenage driver in a horror Australia Day crash have turned out to say their final goodbyes
This map shows the movements of the teen accused of running the couple down
Ms Leadbetter was due to give birth in just a few short months and had already prepared a nursery for her son, Miles
‘There is a nursery created by Kate and Matt with joy and love and anticipation that our little grandson, Miles, will never occupy.’
The family members stood arm-in-arm and held back tears as they expressed how distraught they were that the couple had their dreams of parenthood taken away.
Described as ‘talented and funny and such good company’, the couple had recently shared an ultrasound of their unborn son.
Ms Leadbetter was due to give birth in just a few short months.
The 17-year-old who was allegedly behind the wheel was remanded in custody on numerous charges including two counts of murder at Brisbane Children’s Court after the incident.
His case was adjourned until the end of March.
Young men in what appears to be the Iona College uniform lined the street as the hearses were brought through
Frankie and Django watched on as their beloved owners were taken away in hearses
The large crowd gathered outdoors on the school grounds before relocating for the service
Pictured: The Toyota LandCruiser that the teenager was allegedly driving at the time of the crash