A British tourist brought tears to a small town community when he recalled cradling fatally stabbed fellow Briton Mia Ayliffe-Chung in his arms at a backpackers’ hostel last year.
Daniel Richards, from Clydach Vale, Wales, told the crowd in Home Hill, Queensland, that he would never be able to wipe the memories of the deaths of Ayliffe-Chung and another fatally-stabbed Briton, Tom Jackson.
He called it ‘the most horrific crime imaginable’ as he spoke at a memorial service for Ayliffe-Chung, 20, and Jackson, 30, on the year anniversary of their August 23, 2016, deaths.
Daniel Richards (left), from Clydach Vale, Wales, told the crowd in Home Hill, Queensland, that he would never be able to wipe the memories of the death of Mia Ayliffe-Chung (right). Ayliffe-Chung and fellow Briton Tom Jackson were stabbed to death in a a backpackers’ hostel in Australia on August 23, 2016
Tom Jackson, 30, was also killed. When he tried to intervene and help Ayliffe-Chung, the knifeman turned and attacked him
Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, was said to be obsessed with Ayliffe-Chung before allegedly killing her in a stabbing frenzy before turning the knife on Jackson, who tried to help her.
He has been charged with murdering the Britons and is being held in a mental health facility.
While their murders occurred a year ago, ‘for me it happens every day,’ Richards said at the memorial service.
Frenchman Smail Ayad, 29, was said to be obsessed with Ayliffe-Chung before allegedly killing her in a stabbing frenzy before turning the knife on Jackson
‘The images and memories will never go away from that night for me,’ he said. ‘What I took from it is knowing Mia did not die alone in that bathroom.
‘I held her chest, I talked to her, comforted her and, sadly, told her everything was going to be OK.’
Richards said that watching the events of that tragic night had ‘changed a lot of people’s lives’ including his own.
‘There is not a day goes by that I don’t think of Mia, Tom and their families,’ Sydney’s Daily Telegraph reported him as telling the memorial service.
He asked the town not to forget what had happened to this ‘stunning, vibrant fun-loving’ young woman and the man who tried to protect her.
‘Two amazing young people come to Australia for the experience of a lifetime – what people only dream of,’ said Richards. ‘Tom was viciously stabbed but put up the biggest fight imaginable.
‘Two families were destroyed that frightful night and many more people were affected, including myself and all the backpackers who were there that night.
Richards called it ‘the most horrific crime imaginable’ as he spoke at a memorial service for Ayliffe-Chung (pictured), 20, and Jackson, 30, on the year anniversary of their August 23, 2016, deaths
Ayliffe-Chung’s mother, who has visited Australia and retraced her daughter’s steps, has been leading a campaign to improve conditions for young working backpackers – and prevent them being exploited
‘I have good days and really bad days, but I’m alive and breathing and I’m so grateful to speak and see my amazing family.
‘Unfortunately Rosie (Mia’s mother) and Les and Sandra Jackson (Tom’s parents) don’t have that privilege. That pains me so much.’
The murdered pair were among hundreds of British backpackers around Australia trying to complete 88 days of regional work within their first year to obtain a visa to remain in the country for a further year.
Ayliffe-Chung’s mother, who has visited Australia and retraced her daughter’s steps, has been leading a campaign to improve conditions for young working backpackers – and prevent them being exploited.
In a blog post she wrote that what she had learned about the events leading up to Ayliffe-Chung’s death had been harrowing – ‘but that doesn’t mean I feel vengeful, or bitter, or destructive.’
On Rosie’s Facebook page, one writer, Atessa Kolanowska, noted: ‘It’s been a year since we lost Mia in most tragic circumstances. It’s also been a year since Tom’s family and friends had to face the tragedy of his heroic death.
‘Fly high Mia. Fly high Tom.’