Family of Gayle Woodford, outback nurse found dead near Fregon, speaks out

GAYLE Woodford gave her heart and soul helping those most in need, only to have her life robbed by what police have described as an act of “evil”.

27/3/16 - Investigation into disappearance of 56-year old Gayle Woodford. Gayles children Alison and Gary Woodford Picture Simon Cross

• Discovery of Mrs Woodford’s body down to tenacity and luck
• Man charged with murder over death of nurse in SA’s Far North
• Abducted nurse’s body found in shallow grave

GAYLE Woodford gave her heart and soul helping those most in need, only to have her life robbed by what police have described as an act of “evil”.

The popular nurse’s son and daughter fought back tears on Sunday as they spoke publicly for the first time of their anguish at their mother’s murder.

“We are having difficulty coming to terms with this ... premature end to mum’s life, anyone who knows mum would appreciate the kind, generous, loving, devoted and beautiful person she was,” son Gary Woodford said.

“She has always devoted her life to not only her family and friends but has given so much back to the community.

“She wanted to make a difference to people’s lives through her nursing and caring for others.”

Mr Woodford said his family wanted to “express our devastation at the loss of a beautiful, loving wife and mother”.

The body of Gayle Woodford, 56, was found in a shallow grave not far from Fregon, in SA’s Far North.

Gayle Woodford’s children Alison and Gary Woodford embrace after speaking to the media. Picture: Simon Cross

“She has made an impact on every single person she has come in contact with,” he said.

“We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank police, the State Emergency, volunteers and all the different community members for their endless efforts in finding mum, their support has been overwhelming.”

Daughter Alison Woodford spoke briefly of the family’s torment.

“As a family, we will not be making any further statements; we ask all to respect our privacy at this tremendously sensitive time, our hearts are breaking every second,” she said.

Husband Keith Woodford remained too grief-stricken to speak publicly, but issued a statement thanking the people of Fregon for their support.

The family’s statement came as further details emerged about the movements of a 36-year-old man from the APY Lands community of Mimili, who was staying at Fregon.

The man has been charged with Mrs Woodford’s murder and was on Monday taken to Port Augusta prison by plane.

The children of Gayle Woodford, Alison and Gary, speak to the media. Picture: Simon Cross

It is unknown why Mrs Woodford left her home, however, it was not unusual for her to be called out for emergencies at all hours.

Police will allege that after killing Mrs Woodford, the man continued driving east along the main road for about 50km until another vehicle approached.

The driver of that vehicle noticed the approaching headlights had disappeared and the ambulance’s GPS tracker showed that it had gone off the road and remained in the scrub for about five minutes.

As it approached Mimili, the ambulance sustained a shredded tyre and the man allegedly spent about three hours in the town, where he changed the wheel and spoke to several people.

After turning right on to the Stuart Hwy, the accused man parked the ambulance in front of the Marla roadhouse and bought a packet of cigarettes.

Gayle Woodford, second from right, with her family.

A witness has told police the ambulance would not start and that he helped push-start the vehicle, which then travelled south to Cadney Park homestead, where he bought $40 worth of fuel and picked up two Aboriginal hitchhikers.

Minutes after the alarm was raised, police used the GPS tracker to pinpoint the ambulance’s location to a street in Coober Pedy, where they arrested the man and questioned the two hitchhikers, who were quickly ruled out as suspects.

Supt Bray would not be drawn on the police theory of why Mrs Woodford left her home, where she was sleeping with her husband.

“I shouldn’t really speculate on what happened, but I think it would be obvious to all to draw their own conclusions,” he said.

Forensic officers inspect the site near where Mrs Woodforde’s body was found. Picture: Simon Cross

“We have a loving wife at home in bed asleep with her husband and she was enticed from the safety of her home outside, and something terrible has happened.”

Supt Bray said police would not rest until they had a complete case to take to court.

“We’ve got a lot more investigation to do before we can be clear on exactly what has happened and when it happened,” he said.

The accused killer remained in a cell at Coober Pedy police station and is likely to appear in court on Tuesday, possibly via a phone link.

‘We all will miss her deeply’

THE remote community of Fregon is united in deep despair and simmering anger at the murder of the smiling nurse who they had adopted as their own.

Gayle Woodford and her husband, Fregon schoolteacher Keith Woodford, had lived in the APY Lands town for more than four years.

The abduction and murder has sent shock waves through SA’s Far North — but nowhere is the grief as palpable as in Fregon.

Residents who helped in the search were at pains to point out the accused killer was not one of their own, but from the tiny community of Mimili, about 90km east.

One group of men said they would like to inflict tribal punishment by cutting off the man’s hands.

Community member Matthew Berryman read a message in Pitjantjatjara language from Mr Woodford, known affectionately as “Woody”, thanking the Fregon community for their support.

“I’ve known Woody and Gayle for four years and Woody has asked me to read a message that he prepared for the Fregon community just saying thank you to Anangu for their help and support through this difficult time,” Mr Berryman said.

Fregon Community Constable Carl Roberts said the people of Fregon were grief-stricken.

“The Fregon community are truly and deeply devastated at what has happened, our thoughts and prayers are with Woody and his family,” Constable Roberts said.

“Gayle was devoted to the Fregon community for more than four years, she provided care with a smile, we all loved her and will miss her deeply.”

Major Crime Superintendent Des Bray, who spent two years in the APY Lands as an inspector in the early 2000s, said police had been overwhelmed by the support of everyone in the region.

“This is a truly sad crime, it should not be seen as a reflection on Fregon,” Supt Bray said. “We’ll do everything we can to put together the best possible case we can against this person and hope for a just outcome,” he said.

Mrs Woodford’s body was flown to Adelaide on Sunday after forensic examiners completed their investigation.