Children blame system for death of mother Graziella Dailler at Encounter Bay

THE heartbroken family of a mother murdered by her violent partner at Encounter Bay say she repeatedly sought help to leave her abuser, but was failed by the ‘system’.

THE heartbroken family of a mother who was murdered by her violent partner say she had repeatedly sought help to leave her abuser, but was failed by the ‘system’.

Graziella Daillér’s children have implored other women in abusive relationships to leave their tormentors and have called for harsher penalties for perpetrators of domestic violence.

Ms Daillér, 48, was found murdered in her rented Encounter Bay home, on Nicolas Baudin Drv, on Friday. Her killer Dion Muir — the stepson of former St Kilda and Woodville and West Torrens footballer Robert Muir — had also taken his own life.

Ms Daillér’s children — Adelaide Holly, 26, Natasha Palmer, 23, and Vincent Holly, 19, — described her as a wonderful mother and grandmother, whose life was robbed by a coward.

“There is not enough help out there for women who are going through this,” Mrs Palmer, a mother of two sons, said.

“She really tried to get help and just got let down.”

Mrs Palmer said Muir had been violent toward their mother several times over a number of years, despite her seeking help from police.

They say she had taken a restraining order out against Muir. But police were unable to confirm that when contacted by the Sunday Mail.

In a joint statement, Ms Daillér’s children said their lives would never be the same because Muir had “taken everything”.

“She had her life robbed from her by a coward and a cowardly act,” they said.

“He was known to police and was unstable and a threat to the community.

“Our mum did speak out and tried to seek help to leave the relationship but was only let down by him (Muir) continually being let out on bail.

“She did not choose for this to happen ... our mum was let down by the ‘system’

“There needs to be better protection, support, justice and awareness for people who are a victim of domestic violence.”

Ms Daillér’s children said domestic violence offenders must be dealt harsher punishments, and their victims taken more seriously.

“One woman dies every week as a result of domestic violence which is also surprisingly the leading cause of death and injury for women under the age of 45 in this country,” they said.

“Anyone who is experiencing domestic violence, please seek what help is out there and get yourself out of the situation before your family is grieving like ours is.”

The children described their mum as a strong, beautiful and caring woman.

“She just has the most beautiful soul, she would have done anything for her family, it’s just not fair,” Mrs Palmer.

Ms Holly said: “She was a strong woman, full of life and would have been right to the end.”

Ms Daillér moved to Australia from Antibes in southern France, with her former husband Kym Holly - the father of her children - about 27 years ago.

Her parents are still in France. Ms Daillér and Muir did not have any children together.

Ms Daillér began working as a beauty therapist at Authenticity Resort Spa, Port Elliot, about four years ago.

Yesterday, her boss, co-owner Gregory Damaskos said Ms Daillér was like a sister.

“She was a very stoic person, she had a lot of dignity and pride,” she said.

“She was a lovely person, genuine, caring and she was honest. She took great pride in her own appearance and she loved making other women feel good about who they were.”

He said she had previously attended work with visible bruising, but she had rarely spoken of her personal life. He had never met Muir.

Mr Damaskos backed Ms Daillér’s children’s calls for women in violent relationships to seek help and protection.

“Real men don’t hit women, and there are a lot of men out there who are happy to go to whatever length is required to protect a woman,” he said.

“Come forward, speak up, don’t do it alone.”

Last November, Police Commissioner Gary Burns revealed police attended more than 10,000 domestic incidents in the 2012-13 financial year - an average of 27 a day - and had issued almost 3000 interim intervention orders, which restrict contact between parties, since the measure was introduced in December 2011.

Robert Muir, who learned of the tragedy from detectives late Friday night, said the news was “devastating”.

“I took a couple of sleeping pills last night and still didn’t get any sleep,’’ he said.

“I feel so bad for all of the families involved and I was really worried about Dion, that he was going down the wrong path.

“Our relationship had its ups and downs but I remember going on a trip with him not that long ago and I always thought of him as my son.’’

Dion was the biological son of Robert’s ex-wife Lynette and her first husband, horse trainer Eddie Murtagh.

Mr Murtagh declined to comment when contacted yesterday.

A police spokeswoman said the reasons behind the deaths will form part of the investigation into the tragedy.

SA Police were unable to comment on whether Muir had faced any criminal charges prior to the deaths.

A post mortem is expected to be completed on Sunday.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.

In an emergency, call 000

For information about the prevention of suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.