Family of Damien Little urge those struggling with mental health issues to seek help amid grief at his and his two children’s death in Port Lincoln
THE family of Damien Little have urged those struggling with mental health issues to seek help amid overwhelming grief at his death alongside his two children in Port Lincoln.
THE family of Damien Little have urged those struggling with mental health issues to seek help amid overwhelming grief at his death alongside his two children in Port Lincoln.
Speaking 12 months since Little, 34, died with sons, Koda, 4, and nine-month-old Hunter, they paid a fresh public tribute to the trio, whose deaths shattered the entire Eyre Peninsula community.
In an emotional interview with The Advertiser yesterday, Little’s parents Sue, 58, and Ken, 68, laid bare their ongoing heartbreak, guilt and anger over last year’s tragedy.
The family urged better understanding from the community at large relating to mental health and depression issues, as they seek to silence the disease’s taboos.
Little, a hardworking labourer, carpet layer, truckie and successful football player and coach known as “Damo”, spiralled into a “dark” space from the fun-loving and “vibrant” young boy who grew up on a Port Kenny farm.
Despite his family’s best efforts in urging him to seek help amid ongoing “tension”, he fell victim to his mental illness a year ago today.
While at pains to not excuse Little’s actions, which are still the subject of a police investigation, his family’s decision to speak out is motivated by a desire to prevent others from enduring their trauma.
They also publicly refuted speculation that Little drove his children through a local McDonald’s fast food drive through shortly before the incident on January 4 last year.
It is believed police have ruled this out after locating the vehicle initially suspected of being his and speaking with the driver. Their past year has been marred, not only with their “overwhelming” grief, but by more tragedy, including the deaths of other family and close friends and a serious family illness.
“The past 12 months have been a battle,” said Ken Little, who last saw his son a few weeks before he died.
“I struggle to sleep. Sometimes you wake up at 4am and it is on my mind and I can’t get back to sleep.
“Some days are good, some are bad. He definitely had a problem, I knew that for sure. But I wish I could have known how bad it was for Damo, and I wish we could have done more.”
Speaking at their home of 23 years – now filled with photographs and a new garden in the trio’s honour - Sue Little said the grief hit at any time.
“I am angry at what he did, I think any parent would be, but he is our son and he loved those boys and we were proud of him,” she said. “Everyone knew him and everyone loved him.
“The love and support we have received from the community has been overwhelming. It still continues and gives us strength to live each day.
“We are looking forward to embracing 2017 with a positive outlook.”
Shannon Little, 37, who owns a local pizza shop, and his partner Kyra, 26, have learnt to “take each day as it comes”.
“The last 12 months haven’t got easier,” they said.
“Life is different now – the past year has changed us a lot. It’s the memories and the good times that get us through each day. There are still so many ‘what ifs’ and if only we had known the seriousness of his struggles.
“To anyone else struggling, nothing is so big it can’t be fixed. The pain, for those left behind, is unbearable some days.”
Anyone experiencing personal difficulties can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au