A man accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend ‘didn’t intend for this to happen’, the mother of three of his children says.
Lance Michael Pearce was to face trial for murdering Blair Dalton, 35, but choked to death on a chicken sandwich behind bars.
The 34-year-old was believed to have committed suicide by swallowing the plastic-wrapped food along with sugar sachets less than 48 hours after his victim’s death.
Lance Michael Pearce, 34, (right) choked to death on a chicken sandwich in custody after he allegedly suffocating and strangling his former partner Blair Dalton (left)
Ms Dalton (pictured) died in hospital after allegedly being strangled by Pearce Tuesday night
Donna Welsh, who dated Pearce from 2006 to 2012, made a heartfelt tribute to him on Facebook, promising to look after their children.
‘I don’t understand how it got to this point, but someday I will. I know you didn’t intend for any of this and Blair didn’t deserve to lose her life either,’ she wrote.
‘I’m so confused by the anger and frustration I feel for what you did, and the impact this is going leave on all our children, our friends and all of our families, including Blair’s family and friends who are left here without a clue of what to do.’
Ms Welsh said she had not yet told their daughter and twin sons, along with Pearce’s young son with Ms Dalton, their father and ‘step mama’ were dead.
‘I don’t know how I’m going to cope with the heartache our children will go through from the loss of you and Blair,’ she wrote.
Donna Welsh (pictured), who dated Pearce from 2006 to 2012, made a heartfelt tribute to him on Facebook, promising to look after their daughter and twin sons
The 34-year-old was believed to have committed suicide by swallowing the plastic-wrapped food along with sugar sachets less than 48 hours after Ms Dalton’s death
‘But I will do all that I can to protect them, guide them, nurture them, share with them, have fun and laugh always with them.
‘I will promise one thing, and that is to make sure Sophie, Logan, Charlee and Bodhi all [will] be present in each other’s lives. They need and deserve that.’
Though she was angry about what Pearce did, Ms Welsh felt he must have been in extreme torment to have not lived for his children.
‘I can still feel the pain, sorrow and heartache you must have been going through to leave all 4 innocent souls behind,’ she wrote.
‘You can now rest your head and watch over us all from above! Saw (sic) like an eagle and let your spirit be free. We will always love you LP xoxo.’
Ms Welsh recalled how they met when they was 12 and went to the Year 10 formal in 1996, 10 years before their first date to KFC on Pearce’s pay day.
Pearce (pictured) was found unresponsive Friday morning in jail by prison staff, hardly spending three days in custody
‘We were reunited at Quix Nightclub with Timmy, Abo, I remember it like yesterday,’ she wrote.
‘We may not have got on so well towards the end, but you always held a place in my heart and forever will.’
Pearce’s niece and nephew also paid tribute to their uncle online, and also to Ms Dalton as their families were very close.
‘A man that taught me many things a man that I looked up too a man that always help me when I needed it (sic), I will miss you and will not forget you, I love you Lance,’ his nephew wrote.
His niece added he was the ‘best uncle’ who she would miss sharing a birthday with every year.
‘I love you even after everything and I honestly can’t believe any of this had happened, im going to miss you so much,’ she wrote.
Ms Dalton’s family posted early Friday morning the news Blair (pictured) had died and that her organs had been donated to help others
‘I can’t believe how much my life has changed in a week, I love you guys so much and I always will xxx.
‘Blair I am going to miss you so damn much, I love you so much and I can’t believe your gone, I won’t be able to come visit when I miss you or when I’m feeling sad and need someone to talk to, you have been there for me and I’ll never forget you.’
Close childhood friend Steven Clarke expressed utter shock that the man he called his ‘brother’ could have killed his ex-girlfriend.
‘I still can’t believe it went this way.. He was always one of the nicest blokes I knew growing up,’ he wrote.
‘We had some great times with all the boys running amok. But he honestly was the last person that I thought this would of (sic) happened to.’
Ms Dalton died in hospital on Thursday evening after suffering critical injuries during the alleged domestic incident at Ettalong Beach last Tuesday night.
Officers called to the scene commenced CPR on Ms Dalton (pictured), with NSW Ambulance paramedics then taking her to hospital in critical condition
After being in custody for barely three days, Pearce was reportedly found unresponsive on his bed at about 11am after being served breakfast, according to Daily Telegraph.
Police and prison staff told the publication the death baffled them and haven’t heard anything like it.
The exact cause of death will be determined by the coroner who will assess CCTV footage.
Pearce was placed on suicide watch when he was first admitted to Silverwater Jail.
Ms Dalton, who shared a young son with Pearce, donated her organs to help others following her tragic death, her family shared early Friday.
‘Our beautiful Blair who is always helping others will today continue on this path when the transplanting of her organs begin RIP our best friend love dad and Gail,’ they wrote.
The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton’s home (pictured) at Ettalong Beach on New South Wales Central Coast
Family and friends shocked at her passing also left emotional tributes to the young woman on social media, calling her ‘one of a kind’.
‘Rest easy hun… U didn’t deserve to go this way, will remember our good old party days… Ur a awesome chic… So sad for u and all ur loved ones… (sic),’ one person wrote.
While a friend added: ‘RIP Blair I am so blessed to have been able to work with you. You truly were one of a kind, down to earth and the life of the party.’
‘Spread your wings and surround them around your loved ones sweetie. Rest easy.’
The alleged attack happened at Ms Dalton’s home, with police arriving at the Ettalong Beach property, on the Central Coast around 7.10pm Tuesday.
Police were called to the scene around 7.10pm and were pictured investigating Wednesday morning
After locating Ms Dalton, officers commenced CPR, with NSW Ambulance paramedics taking her to hospital in critical condition.
Pearce was taken to Gosford Police Station following the incident, where he has was charged with attempt to strangle/suffocate with intent to murder.
According to The Daily Telegraph during a court appearance Wednesday, he was heard saying ‘no, no’ and ‘is she all right, she has to be all right,’ from the dock.
He was refused bail and was set to return to court on November 24 where charges against him were expected to be upgraded to murder, police said.
Ms Dalton was taken to Gosford Hospital following the alleged attack, but died Thursday night, with family and friends taking to social media to express their sadness
Friends described Ms Dalton as a ‘good Aussie girl,’ according to 7 News.
‘We’re just waiting on doctors reports but the end result won’t be good either way will it?’
While others sent their love and best wishes to the family, many expressing how Ms Dalton was ‘very giving to the end and beyond’.
‘I can’t begin to imagine what you all must be going through right now. She was so loved,’ one person wrote.
While another added: ‘Take your angel wings and let your loved ones feel a gentle breeze as you fly close to them during this difficult time.’
The national domestic violence helpline is 1800 737 732. In an emergency call triple-zero.
The alleged attack happened at the mother’s home in Ettalong Beach (stock image pictured), with Pearce refused bail and set to return to court on November 24, with charges expected to be upgraded